Nature-Deficit Disorder: Why do you need nature?

The fond memories of childhood. Whether it's climbing tree's or running through the farmer's field's, it probably involves being outside. Now look at your children, will they share similar memories?

I feel like my generation is one of the last to view the outdoors as a sense of freedom and escape. Today's kids show no affection or desire towards nature. Things such as tree houses now seem like ancient ruins. Kid's understanding of nature is manicured beaches and managed parks. No one takes random adventures through the forest anymore.

Natural play has been criminalized. Stick forts and tree houses are seen as fire hazards. Housing districts prohibit basketball hoops and skate ramps as they "ruin" the neighborhood. Instead of teaching children how to respect nature and use it wisely, we put up no trespassing signs and close them out. This doesn't create compassion, it creates disconnection.

Scientists are linking the increase in obesity and increase of children with mental conditions to the lack of nature. In today's society, we live sedentary lives. No need to hunt or fish or gather vegetables anymore. We live in a society of convenience. Children are suffering from OCD and anxiety in triple the numbers they were years ago. Drugs for depression were never meant for kids, but are now are all too common.

And to think.... this could all be solved by nature.

Who am I? And what do emu's have to do with it!?!

Hello! My name is Katie Smith! Welcome to my blog!

I am from a small town outside of Harrisburg, PA. I am the oldest of 4 children...and the only girl...lucky me. Haha! Ben (photo 2nd left), the oldest boy, is a recent college grad of UNOH with a degree in Diesel Tech. Noah (photo 3rd left), middle child, is the star athlete and pretty boy of the family, where he got it from, still a mystery. Steven (photo last), the youngest, is an aspiring farmer and mechanic.

I grew up having many different kinds of animals (even took care of a millipede for a while). We live on what I call a hobby farm, lovingly called Little Bit Farm. What we haven't had on the farm I found other ways to interact with them, such as working on a dairy farm. I was an active FFA member all 4 years at Northern Lebanon High School. I served 2 years as a officer and 3 years on the leadership team. Outside of FFA and my ag classes, I was a Girl Scout and earned my Gold award. The Gold Award is the equivalent of earning the rank of Eagle Scout. My brother's and I all earned our highest honers, as seen in the above picture. I also was a member of the Spanish club in high school, was almost looking to double major with it. The club gave me an opportunity to travel to Costa Rica for 9 days! I learned a ton and look forward to a return adventure!

So your probably still wondering.... What the heck do emu's have to do with it?!? To start, for those of you that aren't familiar, an emu is a like a big prehistoric looking chicken, similar to the ostrich, only second in size. Anyway, my high school, up until a few years ago, raised emu's. My preschool at the time was housed in the high school. One day, my preschool class took a "field trip" out to the pole barn where the emu's were. I was fascinated! From that day forward, I couldn't wait to reach the high school and work with the emu's. So that's what emu's have to do with it!

Hope you enjoy my blogs to come! I hope you enjoy my occasional sarcasm and attempt at humor!