I frequently talk about “Nature deficit disorder” in my work as a Nature educator. I recently saw the phrase “noticing deficit disorder” the other day and it immediately registered as another downside to the techy plugged-in world we live in. Here is a wonderful article (click on the image below) on an antidote to these modern-day challenges – a way to reconnect with the other world we all live in – Nature. ~ Ranger Dave
I remember my summers as a child. I grew up in New York City, but the last day of school meant that the next day we would head out to eastern Long Island in a packed Rambler station wagon to spend the summer in the country. Fishing, exploring the swamp behind our house, building tree houses, climbing trees, swimming and being at the beach, riding my bike (my Dad had my family’s one car during the week working back in the city, so my Mom and four siblings lived carless all week). Fast forward a few decades…much of my life’s work has been providing opportunities for young people to be outdoors, to experience the joys of 
Nature, away from the City for awhile. One way we do that at MPEC is our summer camp program. I am proud that this summer, over 100 young people got to do just that. Here are a few photos from our Mountain Adventure Camp. On a related note, please check out this video about the value of children being outside and the lifestyle changes associated with that; then please share your thoughts. By the way, we wound up giving nearly $3000 more in camp scholarships this summer than our scholarship fund had – please consider making a donation to help us offse
t that deficit. Thanks so much!
What is the Earth Studies Program?
Earth Studies, now in its 11th year, is a comprehensive, outdoor-based Nature education program that takes place among the ponderosa pines of the 611-acre Pueblo Mountain Park. MPEC’s Nature Educators are busy training and getting organized for our first class to arrive on Sept 4th! If you live in Pueblo and have a 5th grader in Pueblo City Schools, then your student will be coming up to spend 6 full days over the course of the upcoming school year. They will learn to identify birds, explore what bioregions are near where they live, hike the Pueblo Mountain Trails and experience MPEC’s wonderful outdoor classroom. Parents are welcome to join their child’s class for the day so we hope to see you!
This photo is from an Earth Studies Day during winter 2011 where eager students gathered during snow falling. ES Students love seeing MPEC’s outdoor classrooms in many different weather forms and cold and snow don’t deter them from being willing to learn! 