How to inspire kids to connect with nature

The Children of the Earth Foundation has expanded its youth “Survival School” to a new location in Grass Valley, California, bringing a rather unique approach to connecting children and nature in the western United States.

The New Jersey-based non-profit organization is offering week-long courses for youth, teens and families in California and British Columbia as well as working with local schools and groups to create programs that meet the goals and interests of each organization.

In a time when young people are so inundated with electronics, non-stop communication and a real disconnect from the natural world, families and groups are looking for opportunities to show them an alternative. The Children of the Earth Foundation provides this opportunity through half day to week-long programs that truly impact young lives.

Founded in 1999 by author and outdoorsman, Tom Brown Jr., the organization provides courses in survival, tracking and nature awareness to youth, teens and families.

As one teen participant shared; “This experience is amazing. It brings you out of the new and into the old. Nature’s beauty consumes you as it helps you learn new skills”.

Until now, operations have taken place from a New Jersey home base which allowed opportunities for area schools, scout troops, indigenous populations and other groups to have customized programs. Because of the cost of travel, programs offered in California and other western states were severely limited.

Youth interest in nature growing in leaps and bounds

With the opening of the new California branch this Spring, response has been very positive as homeschool groups, area tribes, schools and scout troops have discovered The Children of the Earth Foundation’s distinctive approach to the outdoors.

In Children of the Earth programs, children and teens are introduced to traditional skills used by indigenous peoples from around the world.

Participants learn outdoor survival skills like how to make shelters, make fire without matches using bow drill and hand drill methods, learn to find and purify water and find wild edibles. They also learn the ancient skills of making stone tools, tanning hides to make buckskin, making bows and arrows, baskets, pottery and other skills that have been lost from modern society.

Woven within the curriculum are lessons in respect for the Earth and understanding how it sustains our lives. The end result: participants exit the program with confidence, a sense of responsibility and a meaningful relationship with the natural world.

For more information, visit http://cotef.org.