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Children that play in natural environments demonstrate resilience, discipline,
and develop skills for dealing with stress later in life. 16,111,122,123 A recent study
measured students’ aptitudes around stress management, self-confidence, social
ability, personal abilities, organizational skills and cooperative team work before
and after taking place in a wilderness adventure exercise. In every category,
participants improved as a result of having their perseverance and motivation
tested through a variety of rigorous exercises. 122 “The experience of solitude”
and “the opportunity to take control and responsibility for their own process of
growth” were the two most important things leading to personal development. 122
Contact with nature is essential for child development and the nurturing of
happy and healthy adults. Unfortunately, Canadian children are not getting as
much access to natural environments as they have in the past. The focus on early
literacy and numeracy has pushed children into indoor, structured environments.
An emphasis on safety has led to the reduction of outdoor free play, the elimination
of outings, and the displacement of natural playgrounds by commercial
play structures. Every child should experience the joy of chasing a butterfly,
climbing a tree, building a tree house, making mud pies, and jumping in as many
puddles as they can find. If they don’t, how will they form lifelong habits that
can help maintain their health and well-being from young adulthood through
to their senior years? How will the next generation of entrepreneurs and corporate
leaders learn to take risks to succeed? Where will future professionals,
such as engineers, carpenters, and doctors, develop the critical thinking and
problem-solving skills to do their jobs?
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