It's moments like these in the wilderness that are why I choose to bring my Silicon Valley raised niece and nephew camping. Right now, it's car camping, but when they're a little older, I hope to take them back country.
Some of the first phrases from my nephew's mouth included, "Youuuu Tube" and "ahhh phone." These are children who have grown up in technology: iPads, gaming systems, and digital conveniences galore. And although these conveniences are great, there is nothing like interacting with the Earth to help you understand the world and why it's worth protecting.
Some people go the farming route. I thought I'd introduce them via camping -- since I grew up running through the woods and going camping with my family -- it is my comfort zone.
The smell of pine and earth relaxes me. Once, when microwaving some corn on the cob, a woman who grew up in the city complained that the break room smelled like chemicals. "Chemicals?" I asked. "That's not chemicals, that's earth. It smells like soil and corn." I pulled out the corn on the cob and showed her. She sniffed the husk and she pointed and said, "THAT smells like chemicals."
Shaking my head, I let her know it was organic corn. No chemicals. I grew up in Wisconsin surrounded by corn fields. Corn husk and soil are common scents. So is pesticide. I know the difference. She wouldn't believe me.
So, how does a community entice members to respect and protect the world they live on when they're now distanced from it? When they don't realize the cause and effect of their actions comes back to them because they can't see it right away?
I don't know.
But I believe small things make a difference. And right now, a small, squeaky voiced little girl is realizing she can have a lot of fun in the woods, unplugged, sleeping on the ground. I'm good with that.
