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Why Wilderness is Still Relevant
By Linda Tatsapaugh | March 2, 2009
Sixty years ago, Campbell Loughmiller launched a new – and yet very old – approach to helping troubled kids, with the opening of Camp Woodland Springs in Texas. The basic idea was that time spent in nature, learning how to work cooperatively in a camping setting, would teach young people important lessons for growing into responsible citizens. It was a simple concept, one which has been expanded upon ever since.
Currently, there are a wide variety of therapeutic methods for helping kids and adults who are struggling. Many involve verbal approaches, while others include animals, art, or physical techniques. With so many choices, what is the relevance today of therapeutic camping? Is it not too simplistic for our modern world?
A growing number of researchers back up the assertion that the therapeutic use of the outdoors has tremendous value for many populations in need. Richard Louv’s book, Last Child in the Woods, recounts studies that have looked at various aspects of “green time”, with and without a therapeutic intention. Populations found to benefit include kids with ADHD, physical disabilities, those experiencing stress, and those showing at-risk behaviors. Some benefits were: increased concentration and calmness, more positive attitude, improved problem-solving skills, more self-direction, improved motor coordination, and increased self-esteem. And this is before you throw in therapeutic models.
There are today many variations on therapeutic wilderness camping, with numerous approaches to utilizing the setting for the cause of personal development. I believe, however, that the most fundamental element of each of those, is the “wilderness”, or outdoors, which, wisely used, can bring a greater impact on a person than any therapy alone. The wilderness has a powerful effect on people when they can experience it directly; this society seems largely to have forgotten this. Which is why the movement that NATWC represents is important and relevant even in this cyber age.
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