By Bob Root, UUCF’s Act for Climate Today! (ACT!).
Back on October 21, 2007, Peter Fimrite of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote an article titled “Children Detach from the Natural World As They Explore the Virtual One.” He reflected on how life in cities and suburbs, concerns about outdoor safety, busy academic schedules, and the lure of digital entertainment have drawn many children indoors. As a result, fewer kids have the chance to explore nature firsthand – to climb trees, watch insects, or simply play in the dirt.
The short-term result is an increase in the epidemic of childhood obesity. A long-term fear is that the children of today will not be interested in protecting an environment of which they know so little, and of which many are afraid.
Yet the good news is that when children do spend time outdoors, their curiosity, creativity, and sense of connection to the living world blossom. Experiences in nature help them stay active and healthy and foster a lasting love for the environment. As many have wisely observed, we cannot love what we do not know, and we will not protect what we do not love.
That’s why our Religious Exploration programs like World of Wonder, Miracles, Circle of Trees and Gather the Spirit are so meaningful. By giving children opportunities to discover the beauty and magic of the natural world – right here on the UUCF grounds, surrounded by our own vibrant wildlife habitat – we’re nurturing both their well-being and the future stewards of our planet.