I recently came across these kids on a trail above the mountains in Boulder and wondered what they were up to. OK -I confess, these are my kids and although I didn't encourage this activity, I also didn't discourage it. They were having fun, being creative, getting into nature. What do you think? Send me your thoughts!
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5 comments:
Yes! Of course it's ok! I remember (as I'm sure many do) building stick forts and digging "clay" from the banks of the creek to make "pots" and all kinds of things that made me who I am and made me actually care about and for the natural world - and that certainly left a trace. There are appropriate times to intervene - if something is truly dangerous to the resource or your kids, for example - but they need those creative, unstructured experiences to even come close to building their own sense of ethic. Let them have their fun - and then maybe you wait until they're done with their own game before you make a game about putting everything back where it belongs - like pretending they wrote in disappearing ink so no one else can follow them - like you're on a secret mission and you don't want anyone else to find you - mix that in with the all the real reasons to "leave what you find". But to stifle that kind of experience at that age would be the real crime and really wouldn't lead to any more of an ethic in the future.
Those cute kids are doing exactly what they should be. Regardless of right or wrong it provides and outstanding creative teachable moment. It's all about the opportunity to educate.
of course its ok, they are obviously using dead wood, so there shouldn't be a problem with it, keep on playing ;)
I think it's fine as long as you scatter the names afterwards and teach them why. Maybe a mention of only using stuff already on the ground to.
I think its ok..and no need to scatter the names.. its not like they carved them into a tree... what are the squirrels going to be offended??
You keep those kids out there, they will develop a better appreciation for the wilderness and will know the right thing to do.
I love it..
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