Nature-Deficit Disorder: More free time? Say's who?

How do we spend this supposed free time? We aren't hunting or gathering like our caveman ancestors or even taking adventures in the woods or playing pick up games like our grandparents. Instead, we're forcing our kids into organized sports or other extra curricular activities. I'm not saying these are bad, some kids quite enjoy them and truly benefit from them. But the kid has to WANT to do them. Sometimes parent's force their children into a sports team or into playing a music instrument, believing it will boost their child's overall intelligence or give them a heads up on others. If the child wishes to participate in these activities, then they will truly pursue and excel at them. Otherwise it will just seem like work to the child, and won't really benefit. 

Another point I want to make is time spent with family. Families don't take vacations anymore. Even cheap day trips. When families take vacations, it is seen as a luxury. This bonding time is crucial and provides so many opportunities for children. Now again, I'm not talking about 5 star hotel condo on the beach vacation. I'm talking visiting state parks or visiting family in other places. People don't know there extended family any more. We know some sure, but not like people used too. I know some of my cousins and aunts and uncles, but that's all, and some of them I still haven't seen in years. People don't do family reunions anymore. My family finally started going after not going for many many years. Out of the 30 some people that were there, i might of know 5 outside my own family. Now it's got better since my family has started going annually. My mom knew everyone though. She'd be like this is your Great Aunt Sue, her son is Jake, who married Pauly, and that's there kids Sam and Lena. I needed like a family tree and flash cards. Haha. Sorry, I just want on a tangent, but anyway, point made. We don't travel. We're stuck in this endless rut of work/school, organized activities, dinner, sleep, repeat. 

My family reunion 2015
(We're so photogenic aren't we!)

The last point I want to make, which is kind of separate from the rest, but non the less I felt needed addressed. People today are sometimes CRAZY! Stranger danger is a real thing! But people shouldn't live in fear. Parents shouldn't teach there children to fear everyone. Instead, teach them to follow there gut instinct when dealing with people. Teach them people they can talk to if they need help. Cops aren't people to fear! Teacher's deserve your respect. Librarians aren't stuck up old ladies. Teach your children to find good people if they need help. If they feel like someone is after them, tell them to find someone they feel they can trust. When I worked at Walmart, I dealt with 2 lost children. Once I was approached by a young boy toddler who had lost his mom. After calming him down and getting a smile and a chuckle, I took him by the hand and asked him his mommy's name and where he last saw mommy. Luckily, mom was only two isles down and all was well. This child knew he was in trouble and sought out help. Another time, I heard the crying of another young boy. I found him cowering in fear of anyone who came near. He kept saying "You aren't mommy". Poor guy was terrified. I eventually gained his trust and all was well. But he'd of rather cower in fear and risk being alone then seek out help. Please please please! Don't teach your children to fear! That does way more harm then good. 

Making A Splash with Albion FFA

I joined Mr. Honeycutt and his students for my first Western Pennsylvania Leadership

Conference. I had never been to this conference as I was from the Eastern Region. This conference took us to Presque Isle National Park, which in my few visits, I have come to love. The park is absolutely beautiful and has a beach and bay side of the Lake Erie. 

The students spent the morning and afternoon with the newly elected State Officer team. The students got to learn from DCNR representatives about aquatic species, invasive species, and the history of Presque isle. After these workshops, the State officers divided them into groups to do leadership activities. After a delicious dinner, students got to play and bond for 3 hours at Splash Lagoon. They had a blast (and so did I)!

After a good night's rest, we traveled to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. There the kid's participated in a tour of the center. We got to see there aquaponics lab and collection of freeze dried animals! Pretty neat!! We also did some service learning at the center. We removed some of the invasive species from there green parking lot. The student's dug right in and did a fantastic job.           

For the last leg of our adventure, we traveled to the Brig Niagara and Erie Maritime Museum. The museum celebrates our US victory of the War of 1812, fought right there on Erie's shores and seas. Unfortunately, the Niagara was out to sea during our visit, but we learned a lot about it's vast heritage and battles. 

Alas, it was time for us all to head home. For some sooner then other's (Erie's a 6 hour drive for me, haha).