Earth Day takes place on April 22 every year, aiming to raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage collective action for a healthier future. There are many ways to make a positive impact, and it all starts with recognizing our connection with nature.
Did you know that the human connection with nature influences both our environmental behaviors and our health and well-being?
Several scientific studies display the relationship between humans and nature, showing why physically experiencing nature is important. A recent study explains the term “human-nature connectedness” as the bond a person feels with nature. A meaningful connection with nature can promote well-being, social cohesion, and pro-environmental behaviors, which is what the Kinark Outdoor Centre (KOC) fosters.
At the KOC, we use nature to engage families and children in learning new skills, experiencing new social dynamics, and recognizing individual strengths through outdoor activities in a safe, fun, and structured environment.
This Earth Day and every day, we acknowledge the importance of environmental awareness, sustainability, and human-nature connectedness. Humans are meant to be in nature, and time spent outdoors is accessible, engages our senses, and fosters language development. To care for our environment and planet, we must see ourselves as part of the natural world.
It is important for learners to have positive experiences in nature to develop empathy for environmental issues and respect for the natural world. The KOC operates in natural environments and green spaces, we offer families and children the chance to learn about themselves and the natural world around them—especially important in a time when environmental disasters like wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding are becoming more frequent.
The environmental crisis is not only affecting the health of our planet, but it is also taking a toll on our youth’s mental health and well-being. In a global study, 45% of Gen Z reported that climate anxiety affected them daily. Eco-anxiety is a real issue and as we work with many children and youth, we acknowledge these fears and encourage reflection to help them take what they’ve learned in the programs back into their classrooms and daily lives.
The programs we offer teach key environmental concepts, including how humans and animals depend on nature for food, water, shelter, and oxygen, the impact of human actions, and the power individuals can have when they make changes to help resolve important environmental issues. Families and children also learn sustainable practices and environmental leadership.
We are continuously looking for ways to promote environmental sustainability, and our recent partnership highlight for World Water Day with the Haliburton-Muskoka-Kawartha Children’s Water Festival (HMK Children’s Water Festival) serves as an excellent example of how the KOC teaches children about the environment through experiential learning.
We take great pride in our camping environment and believe that through these experiences, families and children not only grow closer to the natural world but also to each other, creating special memories and skills that will last a lifetime.
As it’s getting warmer outside, we encourage you to find ways to connect with nature. Play a classic game of “I Spy” on a hike or leisurely walk, learning about the plants, trees, and birds around you. Whether it’s at the KOC or in your local area, let’s experience nature together in different ways.
Resources:
- If you want to learn more about the benefits of nature exposure: “Psychology Works” Fact Sheet: Benefits of Nature Exposure – Canadian Psychological Association
- To learn more about how to effectively engage children and young people with nature, click here: Effective approaches to connect children with nature
