Deep down, we all know the importance of the outdoors. However, with the introduction of the internet, video games, and various other media over the last few decades free time seems to be wrapped up in these things rather than the outdoors. There have been many books published over the last decade or so about the negative effects that these new indoor activities have on the youth of this generation (Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle by Richard Louv are a couple of the best known ones) – diabetes, asthma, obesity, ADHD, the list goes on. So it is pretty exciting that Greenlife has been able to get involved with several community schools who are doing their part to take action.
Schools-preschools, Montessori’s, elementary, middle schools and even high schools-are beginning to see the impact spending time outdoors has on today’s youth. Just spending a class period or an hour outdoors has a positive influence on grades and academic standing. The impact is not only academic, having a class outside shows youth how to be active, use their imaginations and improve their health. If they attend a school that emphasizes outdoor time, kids are more likely to incorporate that aspect in the time spent away from school.
Greenlife has had the chance to participate in the design and construction of outdoor classrooms/nature explore gardens in three elementary schools and one middle school in the past few years. Working in an outdoor industry, we value the importance of nature. It’s thrilling to know we are cultivating unique experiences for youth by providing spaces to learn, play and explore in nature. It is a passion of ours and we have to share that with others. Hopefully those children will, in turn, have the same passion and we will create a brighter future for the next generation.
