Physical Benefits of time in Nature

It is up to the parent to expose a child to nature: what you value, they will value.  

My daughter, Anna, has experienced the physical benefits of walking in nature.  She has a gluten sensitivity that we only became aware of three years ago, so that poor little girl only new a life of fatigue and pain.   Fortunately, she was a good reader.  Unfortunately, when when she learned to read, she went to bed and didn't come out for two years.  As a result, she took on a tremendous amount of weight.  After reading Last Child in the Woods while hiking Isle Royale with two of my other kids, I started walking around our property periodically.  I took Anna, 8, and A.J., 5, on our little nature trail.  Our nature trail goes on switchbacks down into a ravine with a stream, a waterfall, and a natural bridge.  A.J. would run up and down the hills regardless of paths and was very comfortable.  Anna could barely lift her feet from fear of losing her balance on the uneven surfaces, to say nothing of getting tired quickly.  We got her off the gluten (another story) and she, while still being heavy, can now move comfortably on the paths.  Starting the habit of hiking young helps you as you grow old, since balance and flexibility are the most important parts of staying active.  On Isle Royale, we met a couple who were 75 years of age!  They hiked with children and grandchildren all their lives.