Being a new dad, I’ve been reading a lot of books on parenting. One in particular sparked my interest as I see how it relates to my own upbringing and how I would like my own son to grow up with a greater connection to the natural world. Last Child in the Woods really has affirmed my own observations about the last two generations of children who have little connection to the natural world. I might have been one of a very few of the last generation that still spent time in free “unorganized” play in the woodlands and wild places surrounding my home. Much of this included hours of time on the family woodlot building lean-to “brush camps” and hunting squirrels with an old pellet gun. I knew species of trees before I knew what their names were as to their relative uses for making my camps and homemade bows. My friends and I knew every good brook trout hole between Southampton and Parrsboro. We also knew most of the woodlot owners around because we stopped to ask permission to use their woods roads on our dirt bikes (yes, some kids actually bothered).
Children in the past twenty years have had so much distraction from structured activities that our creative and problem solving centers have lapsed into a stupor, our senses have dulled. The authors have attributed conditions such as ADHD, childhood obesity, depression, and a host of other issues, affecting not just children, to a plugged-in, overly structured life, where every second is planned, and scheduled.
Parents also use the excuse and perception that the world is a more dangerous place than the one we grew up in to keep children indoors, insulated from life. This premise is absolutely false, stranger danger real and perceived peaked in the 1970’s and 1980’s and has declined ever since. The only real thing that has changed is land use planning, and well meaning but over bearing legislation there to protect those with dwindling common sense.
Much of the message of the book isn’t just for kids either, we all benefit from interaction with nature and the wilderness whether its going out for a hike, cutting some winter’s wood, or bringing home a brace of brook trout. It has a calming effect on the soul, allows us to gain perspective and better deal with challenges in our lives. So for all the woodlot owners out there that haven’t seen past the gate of their woodlot in a while, take a walk with the kids or grandchildren, lace up those snowshoes, or fire up the old power-saw, better yet, get out the boundary line paint and blazing axe. Let your imagination and senses guide you, it will do you a world of good, body and soul. If you get the chance to pick up a book to read, whether a parent or not, Last Child in the Woods is a worthwhile read.

Craig Tupper

As an afterthought, How did your childhood experience of nature affect management of your woodlot or approach to forestry issues?