Getting Out: Dazzling electronic devices and jam-packed
schedules are driving a wedge between our children and the natural
world. A child today may know the environment is threatened, but
they rarely have a personal relationship with a forest, a pond, or
even a vacant lot. The natural world is an abstraction to them.
Dazzling electronic devices and jam-packed schedules are driving a wedge between our children and the natural world. A child today may know the environment is threatened, but they rarely have a personal relationship with a forest, a pond, or even a vacant lot. The natural world is an abstraction to them.
The usual fear expressed about the divide between children and nature concerns the future well-being of the environment. One wonders, as tomorrow’s citizens, how today’s children will protect something they do not know and therefore do not value. But we are learning that is only half of the equation. Research shows a connection with nature has significant healthy effects on our physical and psychological health. It has even proven to have therapeutic value for kids with Attention Deficit Disorder and other psychological challenges.
Santa Clara County Parks aren’t just talking about it; they’re doing something about it. Since 1998, their Junior Ranger Program has brought more than 2,000 children out to their parks after school for hikes and activities that connect them with local wildlife, habitats and the historic Ohlone culture. All this is available at a recession-perfect price – free.
The Junior Ranger Program runs each spring and fall and is open to children ages 9 to 11. The program includes four two-hour sessions that take place once a week after school at a county park. On the first day, your Junior Rangers receive a T-shirt and a log book. After completing all four sessions, graduating Junior Rangers are treated to an overnight campout at Joseph D. Grant County Park – food included. Did I mention the price? It’s free.
You can’t connect with nature in the classroom. Junior Rangers are on the move, exploring creeks and forests to see and feel the local habitats for themselves. They examine animal scat and owl pellets for clues about diets and behavior. They observe animal tracks to decipher what passed that way. They learn how the Ohlone people used these very same resources to thrive here. Outdoor adventures, activities and games fully engage the children with the natural world in a safe and fun environment.
When I talked with Santa Clara County Park Interpreter Jan Shriner, she told me about the Junior Ranger 2 program. In this follow-up program, those 12 to 17 years old who have completed the Junior Ranger Program may continue on to become leaders and mentors to kids participating in the basic Junior Ranger program. After an interview, selected candidates must commit to one Saturday a month. Shriner says it is particularly satisfying to watch kids grow and take on a leadership roll as they build a fellowship with others and reach out to support younger kids in the program.
It has been awhile since my children were that age, but I remember wondering, as I packed for a family camping trip, whether they would be bored in the woods without TV and the electronic toys of their era. Not a chance. When we reached our campsite, the doors flew open and two pairs of heels raced away. They romped all day. Kids love to play in nature. Kids need to play in nature.
Two things usually prevent us from doing all the things we would like to do for our kids: time and money. The Santa Clara County Parks Junior Ranger doesn’t take time, it gives you time. Let park staff open the minds and hearts of your children to nature while you take a nap or have a latte.
As far as the price goes, did I mention it’s free?
Notes: Information about the Junior Ranger Program is available by visiting www.parkhere.org (click “Kids” and look for the “Jr. Ranger information” link) or by calling (408) 846-5632. Spring classes begin in April.
