Robert Louv's Last Child In The Woods

Knowing the difference between a weed in the backyard and the weed used to intoxicate is becoming increasingly rare (Nature Deficit Disorder Takes Root) as children of the post-millennial years are becoming more disconnected with nature. Nature Deficit Disorder, NDD, was termed in 2005 by researcher and author, Robert Louv in his book, Last Child in the Woods. It is used to describe the nature void people have in their life. NDD isn’t an official medical term but there are significant effects it has on children’s health physically, emotionally, relationally and on their learning. Increased rates of child obesity, ADD, ADHD, depression, feelings of loneliness, stress, difficulty with learning and understanding bigger concepts are could all be …show more content…
Whether it be a camp, extra-curricular activity, or a family club, it is essential for the reduction of NDD and replenishing of the value of nature into America’s culture to get people into nature. Boulder Creek Camp Joy Gardens is a non-profit organization that was created to connect children to a farm to get them aware and engaging in the produce process (White). Junior Ranger Program and No Child Left Inside are organizations who are committed to getting children and families back at national parks to reconnect with the beauty of the land (Koch). Health specialists are partnering up with national parks for “park prescriptions” as forms of treatment (Louv). Websites like The National Wildlife Federation have been created to provide cheap ideas, locations, and activities for families who want to get more involved with their communities and wildlife (Koch). The Wise Kids Outdoors program is a thriving afterschool and summer program that takes kids through a series of 20 Learn-Do-Explore activities that help change the common belief that the outdoors is boring and unapproachable (Stolar). Family Nature Clubs and Toolkits are one of the best, most flexible ways out there to connect families in the community and get them out into nature together (Louv). Networking people is key to getting everyone involved. Richard Louv suggests in his book, The Nature Principle, that the most realistic way of reconnecting to nature is through what he calls the Third Ring. Everyone gets involved according to the Third Ring; individuals, families, associations and communities use both personal and technological social networking to connect people with nature (Louv). There are endless amounts of ways for people to get