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The Boathouse Blog

No Child Left Inside…Please

nature-kidsGetting people outside is one of the reasons we are outfitters. It’s our pleasure to watch the transformation that takes place when guests leave the world of technology behind and reconnect with the natural world. We as a society are moving further and further away from our connection with the natural world and its consequences are devastating, especially on our children. Author Richard Louv has penned the phrase “Nature Deficit Disorder” in his book Last Child in the Woods to describe the consequences of our disconnect from nature on children. He theorizes that a myriad of mental and physical illnesses are the direct manifestations of this disconnect. And there’s the research to back it up. From the rise in attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) to an increase in obesity and depression, each of these illnesses or physical states can be linked to children tied too closely to technology and not getting outside enough.

But there’s hope – especially for our youth. Whitewater rafting is a perfect antidote to nature deficit disorder. On countless trips we have seen our guests be “weened” from their electronics and busy schedules of everyday life. They slip into ‘river time’ and begin to notice their surroundings: the call of a Canyon Wren, the rumble of an approaching rapid, the soft breeze over the water, and best of all, their family. It’s a magical transformation and the longer we’re on the river, the more dramatic the shift. And then they’re hooked. Children especially are hooked on an activity they can do all of their lives that offers pure, clean fun. And creates bonds that can withstand the test of time.

Plan your date with Mother Nature and get outside with us on the Snake River in Hells Canyon, the Salmon River in Idaho, or the Grande Ronde River in Oregon.