Random Musings...
As a society we’re losing our thirst for adventure, especially with our youth. Unfortunately today most exploring consists of surfing for viral videos or getting to the next level on a game.
For many of us when we were kids being out of the house was the best adventure ever. Even for those who grew up in suburban areas small stands of trees was a forest, a railroad right of way was a vast canyon. We would choose teams to play army or spy vs spy. It taught us to get along because today’s ally was tomorrows foe. However, at the end off the day we were still best friends, neighbors and siblings.
Yes we did watch TV and we had role models. In a thirty minute episode “Dennis the Menace” or “Leave it to Beaver” would take a pillowcase, some clothes line and fabricate a haversack, grab some can goods and a pocket knife then go explore their neighborhoods.
We knew by the position of the sun (and our stomachs) when it was time for lunch and dinner. Our parents encouraged common sense and trusted the older kids to watch out for the younger ones. There was one rule that was not negotiable; we had to be home once the street lights came on.
I’m not sure how we got to where we are today. It is however most incumbent upon all of us to mentor our youth and encourage outdoor adventure or that spirit will be gone forever!
All is not lost… last year when I attended the Campcraft Outdoors Gathering @campcraft_outdoors it was heartwarming to see all the kids, being kids! Since then I’ve noticed the same at many BushCraft events and gatherings. Craig Caudill @naturereliance and Dan Wowak @Danwowak have both recently written books that focus on introducing young people to outdoor adventure. So there’s hope!
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