There was a child went forth every day,

And the first object he look’d upon, that object he became,

And that object became part of him for the day or a certain part of the day,

Or for many years or stretching cycles of years.

The early lilacs became part of this child,

And grass and white and red morning glories, and white and red clover,

and the song of the phoebe-bird,

And the Third-month lambs and the sow’s pink-faint litter,

and the mare’s foal and the cow’s calf . . .

–Walt Whitman

One of the books I am enjoying this summer is Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv.  He proposes that direct exposure to nature is essential for a child’s healthy physical and emotional development.  Here are the first few of his “Nature Activities for Kids and Family”, and I am sure you have many more ideas of your own to add.  Louv recommends, “The most important goal is for our children, in their everyday lives, to experience joy and wonder, sometimes in solitude–for them to create their own nature experiences and, as they grow up, to expand the boundaries of their exploration.” (appendix)

Gloriana and I are constantly looking for adventures.  Join us at the pond, . . . .

. . . . and now shut off this computer and head outside for your own adventure!