We hope everyone’s 2014 is off to a fantastic start, and we are ringing in the New Year with a renewed sense of energy and purpose for the important work we do at Exploring New Horizons Outdoor Schools.
Thankfully, the extraordinary benefits of outdoor education for children – to the young person’s mind, body, temperament, and overall development – have been receiving more and more attention in recent years. This trend is beginning to lead to an uptick in public awareness and greater commitment to introducing children to nature, both in their classrooms and beyond.
One of the best resources we’ve seen recently is a terrific interview with Dr. Tina Bryson, a leading expert on the neuropsychology of child development, in the current issue of Camping Magazine. The piece, entitled “Bunks are Good for Brains: The Neuroscience of Sleepaway Camp,” contains fascinating observations about the benefits of outdoor residential programs for youth, many of which are mantras that inspire Exploring New Horizons’s mission.
Dr. Bryson discusses the ways that overnight camp experiences aid the development of the middle prefrontal cortex, the “character” part of the brain. The middle prefrontal cortex is responsible for critical traits such as empathy, adaptability, insight, and compassion, and Bryson points out that the challenge and novelty of camp can positively change the activation and wiring of the brain.
How does this happen? Bryson talks about how camp delivers a safe environment for young people to connect with one another and the world around them, enhancing their physical, social, and emotional growth. Young people encounter challenges, including the basic challenge of being away from their parents, in an atmosphere that is fun and well-supervised by trained staff.
This year, Exploring New Horizons expects to bring nearly 7,500 students to our sites, offering our students two-to-five days of direct contact with the natural, unplugged world. We will be keeping Dr. Bryson’s lessons in our minds as we help foster connections that will last a lifetime.
