How they are participating

Modern childhood has moved indoors. On average, children nationwide spend less than 7 minutes outdoors engaged in unstructured play and more than 7 hours a day in front of an electronic screen. We know time spent in nature--playing, exploring and learning--helps kids and adults to enjoy priceless befits to mind, body and spirit, including improved physical health and professional or academic success through enhanced skills in leadership, self-awareness, self-confidence, communication, critical thinking and creativity. BOAT CAMP Nature School is dedicated to providing meaningful, nature-smart education outside to inspire lifelong connections to land and sea. All of our programs involve time to play in nature, because this is where the taproot of deep connection to the earth–-land or sea–-takes hold. We intentionally create time to allow for kids to get muddy, run wild, build forts, race hand-made driftwood boats, dig to China, search for buried pirate treasure, climb trees, catch frogs in swamps, paint themselves in charcoal, or do penguin slides across mud flats. We know that recent studies have proven that childhood experiences such as these–and not the more traditional forms of environmental education as found over the past 30 or so years in 4H programs, nature centers, and scouting–directly lead to adults who are active stewards of the earth in practice or profession, or both. Kids who connect to the land on their own terms through childhood play are scientifically proven to grow to be adults who are active environmental stewards. On Tuesday, November 27, we will launch our year-end giving campaign in support of our nature education programs. All gifts of $5 or more per week, or a one-time gift of $250, will be entered into a drawing for a two-hour river cruise aboard the Erica Lee for up to 20 people during Summer 2013. (This is a perfect outing for friends and family, business associates and staff, or a child's birthday party!) The drawing will be held at our 3rd Annual BOAT CAMP Bash on February 1, 2013. Now go play outside!