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Are American families staying inside to play?
By Christina Quick | February 16, 2008
Public use of our nation’s parks and forests has decreased by 25 percent over the past decade, according to a University of Illinois study published this week.
The researchers blame the decline of outdoor involvement on today’s electronic lifestyle. An increasing number of people, they say, are choosing Xbox and TiVo over activities like camping and kayaking.
“Outdoor health activities in nature are good for you in terms of physical, emotional and psychological well-being,” study co-author Oliver Pergams said. “If they’re being replaced by videos and other indoor sedentary activities, then kids aren’t getting the good stuff. They’re replacing those healthy activities with ones that are quite the opposite in many ways.”
Personally, I’m looking forward to warmer weather. I would much rather head outdoors with my family than sit inside and watch the kids play video games.
What outdoor activities do you enjoy? What are your favorite national parks? How do you instill an appreciation for God’s creation in your children?
Topics: Trends |
February 16th, 2008 at 10:17 am
good job
February 18th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Our family’s favorite outdoor activities include the beach, the rockies, and the smoky mountains. But mostly we just enjoy exploring areas near our home. We also enjoy camping and exploring historical sites. One way I instill the importance of playing and spending time outdoors is by refusing to purchase all the electronic gadgets that are so popular. When the weather is nice we often do our homeschool work on the front porch. The kids learn to appreciate God’s creation when we talk about the beauty of the places we visit.