WILDERNESS CONNECTIONS Benefits of Nature John Beard I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in tune once more. I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in tune once more. - John Burroughs - John Burroughs

Purpose of Education Educate the whole child  academic  social  emotional  citizenship  earth stewards

Rationale  Students should gain an understanding and appreciation for the earth in which we live.  Knowing how we as humans fit into the natural world will not happen intuitively.  We cannot expect students to care about protecting and conserving the environment when they are not exposed to it. “[What is the] extinction of a condor to a child who has never seen a wren?” Naturalist Robert Michael Pyle

Background – The De-naturing of Children  Children spend most free time indoors  Connection to nature suffers or is non- existent  Lack of outdoor “free” play  Clear link between childhood obesity and lack of outdoor play

 Environmental awareness – having a general understanding of the natural world in which we live and be conscious of the need to conserve its resources & be good stewards of the land. WHAT IS…..

Description & Mission  Wilderness Connections is an adventure- based program that features wilderness backpacking with lessons in regional history, geography, science, & environmental stewardship.  Mission: connect students with nature through wilderness immersion experiences.

Exactly what do we do?  Take groups of ~15 students (boys & girls) to the Big South Fork for 3 days  Students backpack on trails and cross country  Groups of 4 – 5 build a shelter out of plastic  Cook a group meal over a fire  participate in fire guard  pack up each day & travel to other sites and a new campsite

Exactly what do we do?  Visit original homesteads  learn about early explorers, settlers, and Civil War history of the area  Practice reading a topographic map & using a compass to “read” the land and navigate  Learn natural history & geology by looking at & interacting with the environment

Exactly what do we do?  Discuss reasons for conserving our land & resources. Why is living green important?  Students keep a daily journal of their experience  Natural Novelty  Night hikes / learning about sounds & vision (“deer ears”)  Stories that teach a life application lesson

Challenges & Benefits  Work as a team to overcome obstacles (e.g. carrying the pack, building a shelter, gathering firewood, dealing with weather & 1 st –aid issues)  Problem solve  Leadership opportunities (group leaders)  Pushing yourself physically, mentally, & emotionally  Communicating effectively  Self reliance & self confidence

More Benefits  Stress relief  Restores attentional capacity of the brain (e.g. ability to focus)  Therapy for ADHD, childhood depression & obesity  May foster creativeness  Better grades & test scores  Emotionally/spiritually uplifting

Each new year is a surprise to us. We find that we had virtually forgotten the note of each bird, And when we hear it again, it is remembered like a dream, Reminding us of a previous state of existence… The voice of nature is always encouraging. -- Henry David Thoreau -- Henry David Thoreau

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF JEFFERSON

References  Louv, Richard. Last Child in the Woods. Chapel Hill: Algonquin Books,  Palmberg, Irmeli E., & kuru, Jari(2000). Outdoor Activities as a Basis for Environmental Responsibility. Journal of Environmental Education. 31,  Parrish, Deborah and Gabriele Phillips. Effects of Outdoor Education Programs for Children in California. American Institute for Research,  Taylor, Andrea F, Kuo, Frances E, & Sullivan, William C (2001). Views of Nature and Self-Discipline: Evidence from Inner City Children. Journal of Environmental Psychology. 21,  Taylor, Andrea Faber, Frances E. Kuo (2004). A Potential Natural Treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Evidence from a National Study. American Journal of Public Health. 94, 1580 – 1586.