Do today’s kids have "nature-deficit disorder"?

[kbraband]

If you have ever taken a child geocaching (someplace that required them to step off pavement), give yourself a huge pat on the back. According to some very interesting research and writing, most of today’s generation of kids are suffering from “nature-deficit disorder” and losing contact with the natural world. We can’t dismiss it by saying “too bad for them” because the trend may lead to less effort to preserve natural areas and outdoor activities in the future.

Read more about it in this interview with author Richard Louv:
http://dir.salon.com/story/mwt/feature/2005/06/02/Louv/index.html

It gives me renewed appreciation for how geocaching is touching the lives of kids who have adult geocachers leading them “into the woods.” Thank you, and keep up the good work.

[Gusty Winds]

It would do all of our kids some good to spend a month on a farm and a month in the north woods sometime during their pre-teen adolescence.

[I M WU]

Great topic. Since starting the geocaching adventures, after my 1st day I ended at Pheasant Branch Encampment. I wanted to learn more about this location so when I Googled it I came upon Mike’s Birding & Digiscoping Blog. He has recently shared that he was reading, The Creation, An Appeal To Save Life On Earth, by E.O. Wilson. I immediately ordered it online and in the book there is a chapter on “How to Raise a Naturalist.” It made me think back to how I got hooked on nature. It would be great to get some type of curriculum started in WI schools to introduce students to geocaching, be the 1st state to do so, maybe this is already being accomplished and I’m not aware of it. There is an interesting statement that E.O. Wilson makes which made me think of why geocaching is so popular taking you back to early childhood experiences, “Children are born treasure hunters and collectors. Given any access to natural environments, they are likely to start searching for minerals (“gems”), specimens of butterflies and other insects, and small live animals of any kind. Encourage this activity.” He should add the search for geocaches…

[LightningBugs Mum]

I have taken at least one of my kids on 99% of my geocache hunts – over 600 of them. When I first started the hobby, I saw it as a way to get them out of the house and out into nature and I was hoping they would love the treasure hunt part of it as well as spotting wildlife, insects, etc. They did at first, but now I have to overcome lots of resistance from them, especially my younger daughter. Why? My theories include her need to exert her independence from me as well as a real dislike on her part to anything that resembles bushwhacking.

My son is very honest about the fact that he would rather sit and play his video game or read. But since he is active in scouting, he is used to having to hike and be out in the woods a lot, so he is OK with it as long as the hike isn’t too long. On our last hunt which was 3/4 mile round trip, I commented on how nice a walk it was and he actually agreed with me! I did a double take to make sure that was really my kid talking.

So I guess my tale is a cautionary one in that I am afraid in my enthusiasm I may have overdone the geocaching with them. I was hoping they would fall in love with it, but now they dislike it. I can only hope that one day they will look back and realize that they saw lots of cool stuff while geocaching and it really wasn’t as bad as they made it out to be.
So, I’ve cut back on the geocaching we do and only pick the easier ones these days. They have less to complain about this way and hopefully will enjoy themselves more. It’s a compromise that I’m sure they don’t appreciate, but such is parenthood.

Do I recommend taking kids geocaching? Of course! But don’t overdo it like I did. Also, get them involved in nature-related things that includes other children such as scouting. When they see other kids enjoying the outdoors, they are more likely to as well.

[PolskaQueen]

I agree with Lightningbug’s mum…..don’t over do. I only take my kids on LARGE caches (hey put out more ammo boxes, people) with short (2mi or less) hikes to keep them interested. I like the ones centered on a theme (there are some in Kettle Morraine like this) or ones with big payoffs, like the Dino Dash series north of Milwaukee. But they love seeing the wildlife, picking up sticks and trading trinkets. Getting in the woods is essential–it teaches them so much! PQ

[knoffer]

My very first geocache find was with my Daughter and she actually made the find. My particular situation with being divorced and shared placement might be different then most. I know she values the time she gets to spend one on one with me as much as I do with her. Of course this means that I have to go shopping and have girl overnight events as well. Typically I’m forgotten in the latter, unless of course they are hungry. I have taken a few of her friends along on hunts and they go back and tell their parents how much fun they had. A few of her closer friends parent’s have now started caching as well.
I agree that some of the longer hike or harder to find caches can cause a boredom issue and they probably want to do something else. It’s just like anything else either they are interested or their not. And, just like anything else it is up to us (the Parents) to keep it interesting.

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