We Must Take Them

There is clearly something in our make up which causes us to respond to nature. Whether the majesty of a mountain, the beauty of a sunset or the intricacy of the smallest flower, we were born to appreciate the wonders of creation. As an increasing number of our fellow humans beings live out their existence in the midst of urban and suburban sprawl they begin to lose touch with the out of doors. I refer, of course, to the real outdoors that was planted by God rather than the landscaping of sculpted niches of open space so many people have access to. I live in a place where it seems nearly tropical because so many palm trees have been planted, but that can hardly be considered when most of those trees emerge from tidy uniform holes in the concrete sidewalk. Indeed, no matter how much we advance our civilization or progress technologically we humans still have an inherent need for wilderness experiences of one kind or another. Some folks live in areas adjacent to the wilderness. However, for most of us it takes a little more effort to really get outdoors. Yet, when we finally do, we usually discover it was well worth that effort.

I believe that effort is even more important in the case of our young people. Indeed, children can’t set their own schedules or provide their own transportation so they are at our mercy from the standpoint of outings and vacations. Both as a father and a Scout leader I have had the privilege of getting young folks outdoors and seeing how they respond to it. Modern kids of all ages now live in a world of increasing technology and mounting pressures to perform in and outside of the classroom. Throw in cell phones, television, radio, mp3 players and such other distractions and you end up with an entire generation of young folks who have become unaccustomed to the therapeutic value of wilderness experience. We have to take them out of the noise and distraction of the city for them to appreciate what it means to enjoy the peace and quite of nature. In fact, the very term “peace and quiet” tends to lose its reference point when we don’t get outdoors. Nowadays, that phrase is more liable to conjure up thoughts of napping on the couch with the television off. Yet, those who know better understand that there can hardly be any substitute for the sound of a waterfall or wind in the pines, or the reflection of mountains on a lake. The song of a few common birds or three crickets in the side yard can hardly compare to the symphony of a twilight forest. No, we were made to be outdoors. Certainly, I don’t suppose that we should all live in teepees or caves. I merely mean that we need to get out of our homes and apartments from time to time and visit the places where animals still run free and the sun sets over a hill instead of city skyline or housing tract. It is our sacred responsibility as adults and mentors to be sure that the children in our sphere of influence are immersed in the wonders of creation face to face … which is the only true high definition, surround sound experience. For let me be clear: the Nature Channel is not really nature, nor is the Discovery Channel truly discovery. Those are videos of other people being outdoors. Our children need see the outdoors for themselves, but they cannot do so alone, and they will not do so without our leadership and inspiration. We must take them.

We Must Take Them
We must take our children
Out of town and out of doors
To the forest and the mountains
The desert and the ocean shores
We must take them into nature
Let them feel and hear and see
All the wonders of creation
It’s our responsibility
To ensure that children understand
The world we all must share
They should experience its beauty
So that they learn to care
For the creatures and the places
Which are still untouched and wild
This is among the greatest gifts
That we can give a child
For to know the open spaces
And to breathe the open air
Is to understand creation ...
But we must take them there.
By Frank Carpenter ©