Nature-Deficit Disorder isn’t a medical condition. It’s a term that describes the trend that many children today have become detached from the natural world. The term was coined by author Richard Louv, in his book Last Child in the Woods – Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder. According to Louv, kids who don’t spend enough time playing and exploring the outdoors can be more likely to experience attention difficulties, and have higher rates of physical and emotional illness.
So what’s the cure? Summer camp is a great antidote to fight Nature-Deficit Disorder. In 2017, camp plays a more important role than in the past in fostering children’s connection to nature. Kids have fewer opportunities than ever to organically be outdoors. Attending a summer camp advances the outdoor learning environment, especially a sleepaway camp like Camp North Star.
We are fortunate to sit on 200 picturesque acres in Poland Spring, Maine. Campers wake up every morning to the crisp Maine air and beautiful views of our 55 acre private lake. The North Star program places a strong emphasis on your typical outdoors activities. There are options in ropes course, rock climbing, outdoor living skills, campfire cooking and sailing. North Star’s staff also take advantage of bringing arts and enrichment classes outside. It’s typical to see a creative writing class meeting in our picnic area. Guitar classes are frequently held outside the jam factory, overlooking the lake. Art teachers enjoy using a shaded patch of grass as their classroom.
In his book, Louv sites an amazing array of studies linking nature experience and healthy child development, and concludes “I believe that offering children direct contact with nature— getting their feet wet and hands muddy— should be at the top of the list of vital camp experiences.” We couldn’t agree more at Camp North Star.
North Star campers are given countless opportunity to see what they’re missing during the school year and form connections with the natural world they may have never experienced before. We are proud to be a technology free camp. There’s rarely a complaint from campers about being “unplugged” from technology. The opposite is frequently true. Campers tell us they often enjoy their time at camp more because they are no electronic distractions, and that allows them more time to be outside.
Nature-Deficit Disorder can be fought during the school year too. Head outside as a family for a walk instead of turning on the TV. Go to a local park and play your favorite game. Find something outdoors that interests you and spend some intentional time with nature.