Nov 9-11, 2007
As a grandparent and aging baby boomer, I’m concerned about the lack of unstructured time children are spending in nature. My childhood memories are deeply rooted in the intimate relationship I had to the earth and the changing seasons and it saddens me that today’s children aren’t directly involved with nature in their daily lives. The Geography of Childhood; Why Children Need Wild Places, the groundbreaking book by naturalists Stephen Trimble and Gary Paul Nabhan (suggested reading) reminds us of how unstructured exploration of the natural world is vital to the development of a child’s psyche, body, and spirit. Last Child in the Woods; Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv explores the effects of the separation between children and the natural world on the environmental, social, psychological, and spiritual development of children. I invite grandparents to bring their grandchildren to venture into the wild and beautiful woods of Rowe. We’ll be there to watch late autumn unfold, filled with wonder and secrets, before the woods turn toward winter snow.”
Wise grandparents and inquisitive grandchildren will weave a weekend centered on lots of time out of doors. We’ll create a “story board” to record our adventures and a “touchstone” to bring home. In the evening gather around the cozy fire to sing, enjoy a simple circle dance for the earth, and tell stories. Grandparents will have an opportunity to gather in circle to share the joys and experiences of grand parenting while our grandchildren will be guided in a separate activity. This weekend is limited to 18 grandparents, so please register early. Grandchildren (aged 5 and older) come for half the adult fee. A welcoming packet will be sent out when you register. Join us for a weekend that will linger in your memory for years to come!
Ellen Kennedy’s love of nature and dance led her to Findhorn, where she gardened and trained to be a Sacred Circle Dance teacher. She’s taught these simple village dances of healing and wholeness while wandering the world in wonder, searching for “the Wild Places.” She delights in sharing her love of nature with Jake, 8, who loves hunting for frogs and hermit crabs, fishing, skiing, soccer, and lacrosse, and Violet, 5, who loves building fairy houses in the woods, beachcombing, taking long walks, and watercoloring.
We can’t force our kids and grand kids to bond with nature. We can only play matchmaker—booking time together in the woods, following the children, moving from cubbyhole to pine cone to stream and encouraging our kids to explore. Ellen Kennedy understands this and I’m delighted she has created this opportunity at the Rowe Center for grandparents to spend time learning together with their grandchildren. What a wonderful opportunity—for both generations!
—Stephen Trimble, co-author
The Geography of Childhood