Richard Louv’s 2005 New York Times bestseller “Last Child in the Woods” painted a stark picture of our generation’s disconnect from nature. Fast forward almost twenty years, with the rise of the smartphone and being chronically online, things have only gotten worse. Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation” further underscores the consequences of forgoing unstructured play for smart-phones and constant connectivity, highlighting the rise of anxiety and mental health disorders in our children.
Nature Program HAWKs (Hiking Adventures With Kids), with its blend of outdoor adventure, and education, has emerged as an antidote for LA kids. HAWKs day camps and school enrichment programs are designed to address these pressing concerns. By immersing children in the great outdoors, HAWKs empowers them to explore, learn and thrive.
Guided by experienced educators and naturalists, children are taught the fundamentals of hiking and trail safety, how to identify local flora and fauna and the principles of Leave No Trace (LNT). HAWKs serves as an example of how primarily- outdoor education can be a powerful antidote to the ailments plaguing our children, cultivating resilience, wonder and a lifelong love for the great outdoors.
HAWKs embodies the essence of what Louv and Haidt advocate for: reconnecting children with nature and nurturing their emotional and psychological well-being. In a society besieged by screens and schedules, HAWKs offers a reprieve—a sanctuary where children can roam, play, and discover the wonders of the natural world.
As we confront the challenges outlined by Louv and Haidt, we must invest in initiatives that prioritize children’s connection to nature and promote their holistic development. One of the most remarkable aspects of HAWKs is the program’s ability to tap into children’s innate sense of wonder. Through hands-on activities, interactive learning experiences, and imaginative exploration, HAWKs place-based curriculum cultivates a profound appreciation for nature in their own backyard.
Anecdotal evidence abounds of children transformed by their experiences with HAWKs. Watching kids age 5-12 discover the thrill of exploring wooded trails, tasting tart lemonade berries, spotting elusive wildlife – with each expedition we see their confidence build, and stress, anxiety and trepidation replaced by a newfound sense of resilience and curiosity allowing them to claim a piece of the analog childhood they didn’t get to experience. But this isn’t about nostalgia, it’s a call to action. We have to make some drastic changes in how we teach, and how we parent.
At HAWKs, we’re built on the idea that when we give our kids more wonders to take in, they’ll take that much more with them. Which is why we’ve made it our mission to open the doors to the great outdoors to help kids witness all of the possibilities in themselves, in others, in our planet. We invite you to join us out in the field for a screen-free summer and beyond.
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