A Vision

nature article Earl Plato
“That’s boring.” That’s a daily comment among many of our young people. I’ve heard it for years. As an old educator I say, “get them hooked.” Hooked! Perhaps that’s not the best word. But think about it. Young people today are bombarded from all sides with scenes of violence, sexual explicitness, drug addiction from peer pressure and so-called alcoholic pleasures.. Why? These forces are determined to get them “hooked.” Yes, this is not an easy world as we approach 2000 A.D. for our young people to grow up in. Mass killings in the high schools in North America shocking? Sickening? Yes. These youths had headed the wrong way in life. They were bored with the wholesome and ordinary life of a teenager that the great percentage of our young people have accepted. At Backus Woods near Long Point, Ontario I saw fifty plus high school students being “hooked.” They waded into the stream collecting frogs and salamanders and water insects. They were fascinated with their discoveries. Some entered Backus Woods to study mammals, trees and wildflowers. No boredom here. I know you might say, “These are exceptional students.” Not so, according to Gwen, the coordinator. This was an ordinary Grade Ten class who had come to the Outdoor Centre each year since Grade Six. They were being “hooked” on nature. You know what? I believe that their general outlook on life as a result of involvement in nature will be affected for the good. Personally the fact that the late Bert Miller, great Fort Erie naturalist, influenced many of us in our youth by encouraging us to uncover the mysteries of our natural Creation. He made a lifelong positive influence on us. The forming of the Bert Miller nature Club of Greater Fort Erie is one result.
There are many ways to get your children “hooked” on positive things and ideas. We sent our children to church camps for years and now our grandchildren are going. The pluses from such involvement is great. I have never heard from them the words, “We were bored.” This writer has a great love for history and specifically local history. Get your child hooked” on exploring the past. Become bored? I don’t think so. Team sports, properly coached, are always character builders in our youth. Do something this summer that will have a positive effect on your children or grandchildren for life. Get them “hooked” for “Good.!”
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Older men have visions, eh? I can picture the Marcy cabin in Marcy’s Woods as a nature learning centre. Actually this vision was given to me years ago by Dr. Marcy’s older daughter. In a call from Saranac Lake, New York, she made that revelation. Young persons from schools on both sides of the border would avail themselves in a challenging study of the great flora and fauna found in these woods. Microscopes and learning materials would be made available using the cabin as a base. Since that call I have been “hooked” on the concept of using that beautiful rustic log cabin of Marcy’s Woods for good.