NATURE-DEFICIT DISORDER

Children and Nature is a call about the importance of guaranteeing children the right to play freely in direct contact with nature, especially in the context of large cities. Beautiful images of children playing in plazas, parks and open spaces, combined with interesting commentary by specialists, inspire a journey through how playing in nature contributes to the healthy growth and autonomy of children, who will be the future guardians of our planet.

The lessons found in nature and wilderness skills reach children and teens in a powerful, almost visceral way that lays the foundation for growth in their leadership, creativity, intimacy, problem-solving, team building and more. These skills and experiences last a lifetime and help counteract the screen addiction and stress inducing 'curated social world' that is part of the struggle we have in raising healthy children. I believe grandparents are the key to establishing these gifts in our youngest generation. Ricardo founded the Hawk Circle Wilderness Education Summer Camp Program in 1989, then formed the nonprofit Earth Mentoring Institute in 1999, to give children and teens the benefits of a deep connection to nature. His work has included professional trainings and program development for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County, the Creating Rural Opportunities Partnership After School Program, the Chatt Hill Charter School, Madrone Audubon Society, Waldorf School of Baltimore, The Berkshire Mountain Search and Rescue and many others. His wilderness skills training and youth mentoring experience has included The Tom Brown Jr Tracking and Wilderness Survival School, John Stokes Tracking Project, The California Conservation Corps, Backcountry Trails and American Red Cross. He also has spent extensive time in wilderness and natural areas across the country, where he put the skills he teaches to the test. He lives in Cherry Valley, NY. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx