According to a new survey, between a quarter and a half of all British children believe that cows hibernate in winter, grey squirrels are native to this country and that conkers come from oak trees. You can't really blame them: if, like 64% of kids today, you played outside less than once a week, or were one of the 28% who haven't been on a country walk in the last year, or the 21% who've never been to a farm and the 20% who have never once climbed a tree, you wouldn't know much about nature either.
The survey, of 2,000 eight-to-12-year-olds, is the latest in a string of similar studies over the last couple of years: more children can identify a Dalek than an owl; a big majority play indoors more often than out. The distance our kids stray from home on their own has shrunk by 90% since the 70s; 43% of adults think a child shouldn't play outdoors unsupervised until the age of 14. More children are now admitted to British hospitals for injuries incurred falling out of bed than falling out of trees.
The survey, of 2,000 eight-to-12-year-olds, is the latest in a string of similar studies over the last couple of years: more children can identify a Dalek than an owl; a big majority play indoors more often than out. The distance our kids stray from home on their own has shrunk by 90% since the 70s; 43% of adults think a child shouldn't play outdoors unsupervised until the age of 14. More children are now admitted to British hospitals for injuries incurred falling out of bed than falling out of trees.
Does any of this matter? In an age of X Box, SnapChat, Facebook and YouTube, is it actually important to be able to tell clematis from cow parsley, or jackdaws from jays? Well, it obviously can't do any harm to know a bit about the natural world beyond the screen and the front door. And if, as a result of that, you develop a love for nature, you may care something for its survival, which is probably no bad thing.
X Platoon want to change this. Our Path For Life programme has been designed to encourage young people to look away from computer screens and get back outside into the great outdoors, it's no secret that being outside has a major impact on children’s mental health and wellbeing. Also, children who may not engage in the classroom can suddenly come into their own when they get outdoors.
X Platoon focus on wellbeing and encouraging our children to connect and fully immerse themselves with the natural world. Our aim is to give them the confidence and ability to understand their surroundings and the environment, to know how to always protect themselves from the elements and by being aware and ready for any dangers that might face them, all in a fun and adventurous way.
X Platoon want to change this. Our Path For Life programme has been designed to encourage young people to look away from computer screens and get back outside into the great outdoors, it's no secret that being outside has a major impact on children’s mental health and wellbeing. Also, children who may not engage in the classroom can suddenly come into their own when they get outdoors.
X Platoon focus on wellbeing and encouraging our children to connect and fully immerse themselves with the natural world. Our aim is to give them the confidence and ability to understand their surroundings and the environment, to know how to always protect themselves from the elements and by being aware and ready for any dangers that might face them, all in a fun and adventurous way.
