Children are not inclined to go outdoors and play. Why would they when the TV, video games, and the home computer as entertainment all call them to stay indoors and “play”? This is a shame because with the denial of the outdoors, the environment becomes more and more disconnected. The kids today will one day grow up to be the voting adults of tomorrow and why would they vote for public funding of National Parks and for legislation to protect the environment. And why would they care when the environment has always been climate controlled and defined by four walls and a roof.

How can we encourage our children to play outdoors like we did if we are so afraid of the outdoors. The media has made us all so painfully aware of the multitudes of dangers to our children what with child molesters and child murderers to bird-flu carrying birds to West Nile Virus carrying mosquitoes. We all need to revisit the concept of outdoors and we need to start with our own backyards, in our own patios and gardens. First steps are always the closest to home and then we can venture forth to explore the great big world outdoors.