Have you heard of nature deficit disorder?

The term has been bandied about a lot again lately – in view of a recent study that says TV watching is even worse for kids than we previously thought – and it got me thinking about my own childhood.

Most of it was spent outside, even while traveling.  Especially while traveling.

My parents took my sister and me on all manner of trips, both domestic and international, and we saw some incredible sites along the way.  But when I really think about it, some of my best memories are just day-trips or weekend getaways to fantastic little state parks like Black Moshannon State Park in Pennsylvania.  Places where us kids could freely get dirty, check out all manner of creepy-crawly bugs and plant life, beat the heat in clean little lakes and just generally run ourselves ragged.  (And thinking back on it, I believe my parents spent their time sitting in bedraggled law chairs making sure we didn’t kills ourselves – or each other – while sipping verboeten mixed drinks out of thermoses).

In this economy, I have a lot of friends tell me they’d like to travel but they just can’t afford it.  And though I’m no friend to the idea of the staycation – in fact, I kind of consider it a dirty word – I don’t believe you have to go that far to have a true travel experience.  I learned a lot of important lessons from hanging out in state and national parks.  How to read a trail map.  How to bathe in a communal shower room without ever showing my entire naked body.  Why it’s not a good idea to try to pee uphill.  How dry-looking a horse turd should be before you risk picking it up and throwing it at your sibling.  And how to have fun without any toys around at all.

With only a small dollar and time commitment, you can bring these same lessons to your kids – and help avoid the dreaded nature deficit disorder.  And, believe it or not, the lessons your kids will learn while exploring close to your own backyard are things that can be equally as important once your family starts getting out on international journeys.

It can be as easy as finding a great park near you.

And now even that’s easier if you are in the States.  Check out the National Wildlife Federation’s NatureFind – a super-cool online application that can help you find incredible outdoor parks, monuments, zoos and even activities and events in your area.  After all, no one says you have to have to break the bank or even go that far to get out and experience the world.  And, honestly, can you think of any better sites to see than the ones Mother Nature herself provides?  Probably not.

August 17th, 2009 | by Kayt Sukel 3 comments