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It’s time to turn off the TV and head out on your own Great Canadian Campout. Reconnect your family with the beauty of our natural heritage.
CWF and its partners want to connect Canadians, especially children, with nature.

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Try to think about a child’s perspective, watching the grown-ups going to work, shopping for necessities, paying bills and sometimes feeling the stress of the daily grind. Wouldn’t they feel great if they engaged in the same activity as you, on a new adventure together? If you haven’t already, try surprising them one day with a nature walk or camping experience and ask your family what they love most about exploring together? Is it be dirt they may be running through? Could it be the bugs or butterflies they discover? Or how nice it is to be out together, without a care in the world?

Young minds absorb knowledge and behaviour like a sponge. We think that teaching your family the value of going outside, taking a deep breath and realizing the importance of this day is a pretty important life lesson! 

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Start with sun protection, hydrate with plenty of water and energize through building memories together!  Ask questions, investigate about the animals you see and share the appreciation for wildlife that creates a respect of nature for life.

Words from the Doctor

CBC has started an incredible initiative called “Live Right Now” to encourage Canadians to live healthier lives. It was born from the idea that if we all make a few small, manageable changes we can, together, help change the health of our country. Recently, the program featured an interview with physician Dr. Melissa Lem, who shared her thoughts on what it means to get back into nature.

“There are two popular explanations for how green time soothes a stressed brain. The first suggests that humans have a finite capacity for sustained concentration. Busy urban environments make focusing more difficult, causing fatigue and irritability. But nature lets the conscious brain rest, replenishing your powers of attention and lowering anxiety.

Another theory argues that affinity for nature was an evolutionary advantage. Landscapes with vegetation and water were ideal for finding food and avoiding predators, so their inhabitants survived longer and were less stressed. Although today's humans roam cityscapes with blinking stoplights and shiny glass towers, it's unlikely our brains have fully adapted to them.

Research indicates that spending time in nature supercharges the benefits of exercise, a proven stress reliever. I often recommend that my patients seek out green space to optimize their mental and physical wellness.”

Canadian Parks Council Reports on Canadians in Nature

Content from this section is derived directly from the Canadian Parks Council report on Connecting Canadians to Nature

 Personal connections with nature are powerful. But the benefits derived through contact with the natural world extend far beyond the individual to all aspects of society.  For example, a walk in the woods can alleviate an individual’s mental fatigue, making them more present for their family and more productive at work. A happy family makes a good neighbour, contributing to community building.