At this time of year, when many parents are looking to buy a gift for their child, I would like to suggest they first go out and buy themselves an early Christmas gift, a copy of Richard Louv’s book, Last Child in the Woods.
In his book, Louv suggests that today’s children are so plugged into electronic diversions that they have lost any meaningful connection to the natural world around them. The book even links the lack of connection with nature in children’s lives to such things as obesity, attention disorders and depression.
Louv says that “many members of my generation grew into adulthood taking nature’s gifts for granted. We assumed that generations to come would also receive these gifts.
But something has changed. Now we see the emergence of what I have come to call nature-deficit disorder.” He adds that, “while this term is by no means a medical diagnosis, it does offer a way to think about the problem.”
Louv is right in his book when he says that electronic games have replaced actual participation in outdoor activities.
It is sad indeed to think that so many kids would prefer to sit cooped up in their bedrooms playing in virtual reality rather than sitting on a stream bank, or in a boat out in the middle of a lake observing all the wonders of nature around them.
Some of my fondest memories are of the times my father took my brother and me fishing when we were kids. Certainly some of my most memorable Christmas gifts have been fishing related.
The gift that will always mean the most to me, however, is the gift of time – the time that my father gave up to spend with each of his kids.
Now, I appreciate that not every kid is into fishing, but that being said, for those parents who want to at least try fishing with their kids, I can only say that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to purchase a couple of basic fishing rod and reel outfits.
A couple of rods and reels: $80 to $100. Time spent with your kids: priceless.
I am also reminded of an ad I saw one time in an outdoor magazine. It included a misty photograph of an adult sitting in a boat fishing with a kid. The cutline below the image read, “Reduce the generation gap to 12 feet.”
Something to think about.
This past summer I spent a fair amount of time gold panning a number of rivers and streams in the East Kootenay. As it happens, the Fort Steele area is a popular family summer holiday destination.
So it didn’t really surprise me that while I was sitting there on my milk crate, by the edge of Wildhorse Creek, I happened to notice quite a few families who were also working the stream beds, hoping to catch a glimpse of gold in their pans.
While some may have managed to gain back the cost of their investment – about $25 to $30 per pan, plus the cost of gas and sandwiches – others were simply able to enjoy time together as a family, taking part in an outdoor activity together, creating some pretty neat memories.
I’m not suggesting anyone buy a fishing rod or gold pan specifically. I guess what I am saying is that it is very important for young people to be given an opportunity to connect with nature, just as it is important for families to spend time together creating the sort of memories that can last a lifetime.
So, when you are shopping for a special gift, please consider giving your children at least one gift that will allow you to spend time with them in the great outdoors. In the end you just might be giving yourself the best gift you will ever receive.
