Why is this this program important?
Connection. Connecting with nature is integral for our well being and has a plethora of benefits. Developing rich, meaningful connections with peers and with the subject matter is a major factor for schooling to have a positive and lasting impact.
The CHS Roams program is about preparing students for life, work, and leisure in our world; at the same time, it’s an opportunity to connect with course content differently and approach school from a different angle; namely, the angle of significant time spent outdoors. How will we prepare these students? We’ll focus on meeting the elements of the curricula through the lens of the outdoors - let’s get out of the classroom and into nature. Plenty of research demonstrates that spending time in nature is beneficial for quality of life and that spending time unconnected to the natural world can be detrimental. One researcher, Richard Louv, coined the term, “Nature deficit disorder” to help identify the issues that develop when humans become disconnected from nature and spend too much time indoors. Focusing on the positive: Children who spend more time outside appear to perform better physically and emotionally; “The research strongly suggests that time in nature can help many children learn to build confidence in themselves, calm themselves, and focus” (Suttie, 2012).
Sources:
Suttie, J. (2012, September 15). How to Protect Kids from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Retrieved February 11, 2020, from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_protect_kids_from_nature_deficit_disorder
Connection. Connecting with nature is integral for our well being and has a plethora of benefits. Developing rich, meaningful connections with peers and with the subject matter is a major factor for schooling to have a positive and lasting impact.
The CHS Roams program is about preparing students for life, work, and leisure in our world; at the same time, it’s an opportunity to connect with course content differently and approach school from a different angle; namely, the angle of significant time spent outdoors. How will we prepare these students? We’ll focus on meeting the elements of the curricula through the lens of the outdoors - let’s get out of the classroom and into nature. Plenty of research demonstrates that spending time in nature is beneficial for quality of life and that spending time unconnected to the natural world can be detrimental. One researcher, Richard Louv, coined the term, “Nature deficit disorder” to help identify the issues that develop when humans become disconnected from nature and spend too much time indoors. Focusing on the positive: Children who spend more time outside appear to perform better physically and emotionally; “The research strongly suggests that time in nature can help many children learn to build confidence in themselves, calm themselves, and focus” (Suttie, 2012).
Sources:
Suttie, J. (2012, September 15). How to Protect Kids from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Retrieved February 11, 2020, from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_protect_kids_from_nature_deficit_disorder