Getting Kids Outdoors

Photo by Starr Babbey

Photo by Starr Babbey

A friend who often attends my guided hikes at the Hudsonville Nature Center recently gave me the book entitled “Last Child in the Woods”. As I have just begun to read this book, I am reminded of the things I did and enjoyed as a young person growing up in Southwest Michigan. The 1960’s and 70’s was time unlike today, no video games or electronic devises to entertain us. We all played outside in the neighborhood, parks and woods of our small town. I knew the creek which runs through Coloma from the park to the river. Likewise I knew almost every tree, weed and plant along the edges of the fields on my grandparent’s farm. I knew where to find Spicebush Swallowtail and Monarch Butterfly larvae. By using the little “Golden” books I also learned many of the trees, shrubs and plants in and near the irrigation pond. By the time I was ten years old I had a respectable insect collection including species I wish I could find today. My grandfather, who was a farmer, trapper and outdoorsman, taught me a lot about the animals in the marsh and natural areas of the farm. He could identify most ducks on the wing as they flew into or out of the large pond which was my favorite area of the farm right up to the day it was sold.

I always enjoy when young people come on the hikes at the nature center, especially those who ask questions and seem genuinely interested in what we see as we walk about. The younger kids seem to ask a lot of questions while some of the teenagers will take a lot of notes, especially if on an outing for school. Younger children always enjoy walking or running through the tall grasses of the prairie and are drawn to insects, especially butterflies. I have come in contact with many children who are eager to learn what things are and about them. Even though there is a huge part of the children in our society, there are those who are interested when given the opportunity.

Purple Coneflower by Landon Hiebert

Purple Coneflower by Landon Hiebert

I was reminded about all of this a couple of days ago while spending an enjoyable day with my mother, sister, brother-in-law and great nephew. We took Landon for the day and visited the Urquhart Butterfly Garden in Dundas, Ontario and then on to nearby Sherman Falls. Landon reminds me of myself when I was his age, interested in all sorts of nature around him and taking pictures of what he sees. We spent a couple of hours at the butterfly garden observing and photographing bees, flowers, butterflies and even a hummingbird. While others were walking around trying to find things, Landon and I would stay in one place for a while and see what came to us. This is a technique that works well in seeing more as we did by patiently waiting. As we went to the falls I tried to share some photo techniques which may seem complicated, but to make great photographs one needs to learn to use the camera to make the picture one envisions. We as adults tend to underestimate the ability of children to understand and learn. Even though Landon was like a sponge soaking up everything we saw and he won’t remember every name or photo technique right away; but as I tell people who are overwhelmed by so much to learn, learn one plant at a time and before long you will know many. I even suspect he was able to name some flowers and butterflies when going through his pictures that evening. I always enjoy spending time with someone who shares the same interests and had a great time with Landon sharing like interests in the world around us.

Carpenter Bee by Landon Hiebert

Carpenter Bee by Landon Hiebert

It is true and I hear a lot about kids today not getting outside, let alone experiencing the natural world around them. No matter where you live, there is some sort of nature to be found. Even in the inner city there are birds and trees. Local parks and natural areas abound, many not so far away from home. If you are concerned for your child’s safety in letting them go alone, then go with them and spend some quality time with them learning, experiencing and enjoying the great outdoors. Most of all encourage the young people you influence to follow their interests; it could lead to occupations and lifelong interests that they enjoy.

The photos in this entry are courtesy of my sister Starr Babbey and Great nephew Landon Hiebert.

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