15 November 2024
Why is nature so important to children?
Children spend more time indoors now than ever before, this coupled with increased screen time and access to social media is having detrimental impacts on children’s wellbeing (Child Mind Institute). This limited exposure to natural environments is being shown to contribute to negative mental and physical health ramifications.
In 2005, in his book “Last Child in the Woods”, Richard Louv coined the phrase “Nature Deficit Disorder”, or NDD, as a way of describing this increased disconnection from nature. NDD is an umbrella term for the many negative impacts we experience from spending increasingly more time indoors.
Outdoor adventure trips offer a gateway for children to access our incredible natural spaces. Having fun in nature encourages children to spend more time outdoors, and in time reap the mental and physical benefits, as well as becoming more well-rounded environmentally minded young people.
What are the main benefits of a school trip in nature?
Here at Rootd we believe that a school trip in a beautiful natural setting can provide immense personal development, allowing a child to grow in confidence, creativity, self-sufficiency and emotional wellbeing.
Access to large safe spaces allows children to have control over their actions and build confidence in their own abilities. Unstructured play gives children the opportunity to interact meaningfully with their surroundings, allowing them to think more freely and approach the world in a more inventive way.
Furthermore, entrusting children to be around other living things, such as insects and plants, and allowing them to experience the consequences of mistreating a minibeast, or picking a flower, teaches personal responsibility.
Finally, children very rarely have access to space to simply run, play and jump. Not only does this help improve their physical health, but it has also been shown to help reduce stress and increase cognitive function, improving focus, particularly in children with ADHD.
Why visit our Hertfordshire site for your school trip?
Our Hertfordshire site is nestled within areas of ancient broadleaved woodland and sweeping grassland. Hornbeams twist their way through a canopy of old oaks covering a rich carpet of woodland plants, including the iconic British bluebell.
This biodiverse woodland supports a variety of creatures that children may be lucky enough to spot during their stay. Glimpsing a lizard slither through the grass, a bat swooping between the trees or a badger scurrying amongst the leaves is a truly magical experience.
Bordering the woodland are large meadows that allow the space for hours of fun-filled games and explorations, before heading back to your cosy accommodation under the trees.
All of our Rootd adventures offer the balance between high-paced action and a chance to slow down and enjoy your time in nature with friends.
To see our wonderful site for yourself, click the button below to arrange a visit.
