Caught up in the attractions of the Internet, television and the cyber world, too many children have become isolated from nature.
We need to get kids outside! Recreation groups, land managers, youth organizations, health providers and educators are starting to get serious about this crisis: Kids spend far too little time outdoors enjoying physical activity. It's a cause we can all rally around, one with which we all agree. We need to put it first, before we put effort into who does what on which patch of ground.
Individual interest groups each have their own efforts under way. I'm concerned that this may not be enough. The problem is so massive that a coordinated effort is essential, one that focuses simply on kids, family and fun. After that message is hammered home, then interest groups and local efforts can add their refinements. With some luck and good will, the cooperation generated in this initial effort will carry through to more focused efforts.
We need to start early, with toddlers. Little kids naturally love to be outdoors, to bask in the sun, crawl in the grass, play in the dirt. A world of natural exploration, away from indoor toys, opens before them. Encouraged at this age, that world of natural exploration can become a lifelong quest.
Winter offers special opportunities, compromised only by the need for appropriate dress. Snow becomes the wonder of a starry flake, the canvas of a snow angel, a ball to throw, the stuff of a man, and a marvelous surface on which to slide whoosh down a hill.
Later on, snow play means skiing, snowboarding, tubing or snowmobiling, all in the company of family and friends. It means learning skills and how to take care of yourself. It means working with family to maintain equipment and help fix machines. Snow can be an enduring passion.
If toddlers are to be encouraged to love the outdoors, then this must start with mom and dad. Parents need to be there, enjoying themselves as much as the kids. This is where a kids-outdoors effort must begin.
I'm worried that it may be too late. How many moms and dads are engrossed in cyber world role playing while the little ones are parked in front of the TV? By the time kids are 10, they can get sucked into the omnipresent Internet-cell-phone communication web that consumes all their attention right down to their very soul. There's no room for outside influences, let alone outdoor activities. They can't go anywhere without being plugged in, and thanks to satellites, they don't have to.
It's a daunting task. We can each go about our efforts and make some progress, but we'll be far more successful if all groups work together in a simple, straightforward way that's pervasive and consistent. All together now, moms, dads, kids -- outside.
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-- Edited by lightfoot at 19:53, 2009-01-20
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Winter eats heat the way darkness swallows light. The terrors of failed power and frozen stems are stymied with fire, smoke and white ash.
This is a growing problem and i can definitely see it at my schools. We are in finals right now (not a fun time) and instead of studying, most kids are playing videogames or watching tv. With the many new game systems, many kids just play them. Today was the first day and luckily i had a pe final but i didn't have to do it because of my knee, but i watched my classmates try to run a mile and half,and only a handful of people could finish it in under 10 minutes. The reason is that many of these children are big ouch potatoes. They need to get outdoors and do something whether it be go for a hike, play a pick up game of basketball or even go fishing.I think that a good way to help is take your kids and their friends camping and let them see the real outdoors. It is something that i really appreciate and i try to share with some of my friends.
-- Edited by live2fish888 at 16:36, 2009-01-20
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Fishing isn't a matter of life and death....
It's much more important.
I agree live2fish, take the kids out when you can.
My boy (11) loves to go wheeling though my daughter isn't so keen on it, especially if she has to camp overnight. My fishing has toned way down but I'm getting back into hunting so it's a trade off. The son likes to shoot and I'll drag him along for deer next season.
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Winter eats heat the way darkness swallows light. The terrors of failed power and frozen stems are stymied with fire, smoke and white ash.
Lightfoot One fact that i can find though is that pretty much all boys love shooting and hunting. It takes a great deal of patience but in the end you can be rewarded. take your kids shooting and maybe even the girls will like it
-- Edited by live2fish888 at 17:00, 2009-01-20
__________________
Fishing isn't a matter of life and death....
It's much more important.
I completely agree, I have the same problem at my school and probably most schools out there. It seems like a kid can't go more than 10 minutes before they have to check their phone or send a text. I've tried to get some friends to get out with me whether it be fishing, shooting, camping, or out on the bikes. some enjoy it and some dont but when you tie them in to a hot fish they're addicted. so all you kids out there get of the computer and into the woods, hey I should do the same.
I recently read that the average kid now days spends almost 7 hours a day in front of a computer or a t.v. Thats pathetic. I don't notice many kids these days when i'm out and about either fishing or camping. When I was a youngster theres no way in hell my dad ever made it out the door to go fishing with out me along. I think were raising a generation of veal calfs.
That may be true for the average kid but me and Codym arent the average kids, right Codym. You make a good point shon and i like your idea of moving to montana and living in a unibomber cabin with your guns, lots of ammo and your fly fishing stuff! I might join you in a few years to!
-- Edited by live2fish888 at 18:37, 2009-01-21
__________________
Fishing isn't a matter of life and death....
It's much more important.
Thats right Live2fish, I mean how many kids can you think of at your school that enjoy fishing and other outdoor activities. You probably cant think of too many.
Aside from soccer or other similar group sport I just don't see that many kids out there. The one exception is the 4wd ohv community but I'd still like to see more kids out there in all venues.
__________________
Winter eats heat the way darkness swallows light. The terrors of failed power and frozen stems are stymied with fire, smoke and white ash.
With the many new game systems, many kids just play them. Today was the first day and luckily i had a pe final but i didn't have to do it because of my knee, but i watched my classmates try to run a mile and half,and only a handful of people could finish it in under 10 minutes. The reason is that many of these children are big ouch potatoes. They need to get outdoors and do something whether it be go for a hike, play a pick up game of basketball or even go fishing.I think that a good way to help is take your kids and their friends camping and let them see the real outdoors. It is something that i really appreciate and i try to share with some of my friends. 
. so all you kids out there get of the computer and into the woods, hey I should do the same.
