Many of us have memories of playing outside as children—my brother and I loved an old oak tree near our house. The large limbs bent down to the ground; we would scoot through the leaves to the secret interior where we could be whoever we wanted. The tree was at various times a house, a jungle, a fort, a secret parent-proof hideaway and a space ship. I don’t know why, but Scott and I never seemed to bicker inside those tree limbs.

As we climbed on the branches or picked through the leaf litter for bugs, we were participating in what is now called “unstructured play”. Studies show that by interacting with the natural world we were lowering our stress levels, increasing our imaginations, becoming fitter and leaner, developing stronger immune systems, less likely to experience the symptoms of ADD or ADHD and gaining a greater respect for ourselves, others and the environment. Plus, we were out of our mom’s hair for a few hours.

Those are a lot of benefits to come from pretending a tree is a fort, but more and more scientists, doctors and parents are learning that contact with nature is needed for the development of a healthy child (and for healthy adults, for that matter). Today’s children are often “plugged in” to computers, televisions, video games and other media—and unplugged from the natural world.

I hope this website inspires parents to get outside with their kids and discover the natural world. At the very least, I hope it gets mom or dad to encourage their children to spend more time in the yard, running around the park, splashing in the city pool or spending time wherever is nearby and outside.

--- Melynda

oh yeah, I am a parent of two, freelance writer, nature lover, environmental educator, Nordic ski instructor, backpacker, recreation leader and best friend to the cutest dog on the planet. If you really care, you can check out clips at my other website.