Getting Urban Kids Into Nature

As a boy growing up in the Barnegat Bay watershed region, I knew my local environment. I could tell you the best trees to climb, the best creeks to swim, seine, or catch a fish, the best trails to hike or ride a bike, and the best forests and fields to explore, wander, or just back lay back and dream. I knew my woods, water, and local fields.

I enjoyed a style of wild, free, and natural play as a child that seems, in the era of large screen TVs, large houses, DVDs, surfing the Internet, texting,  and playing X-Box or Nintendo, like it belongs in a quaint Robert Frost poem or a charming Norman Rockwell print, even though I was born in the late 60s. Children today certainly have more opportunities to spend more time indoors and plugged in.

Within a relatively short span of time the way a child becomes familiar with and experiences her or his local environment has changed radically. In general, every generation seems to be getting farther and farther away from daily appreciating and encountering the natural world. Although kids today are more aware of the global threats to the environment, such as global warming and the loss of the tropical rainforests, a child's physical contact and  intimacy with nature is vanishing fast.

(Father and daughter spending some quality time together at the annual Fishing - Environmental Expo in Keansburg last Saturday)

In spite of that, last Saturday in Keansburg an effort was made by local parents to try to get their kids plugged into nature, instead of plugged into a computer. It was time to celebrate the annual Father Time Fishing - Environmental Expo inside the Bolger Middle School.

From 9:30am to noon, many people from Keansburg and other nearby towns enjoyed exhibits from dozens of environmental organizations, casting contests, paper airplane contests, games, food, t-shirt crafts, nature crafts, and student science and recycling club exhibits. It was a great way for children to have a free and fun time with their parents while experiencing a deepening relationship getting to know their local environment.

(People taking time out to learn about the local shellfish that can be found on our shores)

One of the main people behind this annual event is Jeff Johnson, a social worker at Bolger Middle School and the founder and director of Father Time. Mr. Johnson came up with the idea for Father Time after listening to people complain that they wanted to spend more time with their kids and children whining that they wanted to spend more time with their parents. Thus, the fishing - environmental expo was born as an easy way for families to spend quality time. Even though the expo is only a few hours long, it offers a setting for parents and kids to talk, enhance family interactions, and keep busy people in touch with their natural world. Over the years the expo has provided families with opportunities to get away from their day-to-day problems and share a little time together.

(Jeff Johnson has been one of the main people behind this fun family event)

The hope of the expo is always to get people to better understand and appreciate their local environment. There is a need for families to explore their local environment together. Nearby nature is just as important as any exotic, distant wilderness; and there is no better time to explore the outdoors than right away. It could be done in any neighborhood. Institute family walks or time to fish.

If your child knows more about the latest cell phone or movie, than what local birds, fish or shellfish can be found along the shores of Sandy Hook Bay, she or he is exactly the audience that should attend the Fishing - Environmental Expo next year in Keansburg.

Please help the growing crisis in this country where we've got more kids magnetized to a computer or cell phone screen than being outside to play and explore nature with family and friends. Everyone needs to spend more time outdoors. Why not spend some quality time today with a family member or friend?