Rediscovering Wonder: Why Outdoor Summer Camps Matter More Than Ever
In an age when childhood is increasingly defined by screens, schedules, and indoor spaces, stepping outside has become revolutionary. Summer camp offers more than fun and games, especially the kind that immerses kids in nature. It’s a powerful antidote to what researchers call the extinction of experience.
Coined by Robert Michael Pyle and expanded upon by psychologist Peter H. Kahn, Jr., the term describes a troubling trend: as children spend less time in natural environments, they lose their connection to the wild world. They not only miss out on its wonder, they also stop expecting it. Their baseline for what’s “normal” shrinks, and their sense of environmental stewardship fades with it.
At Teton Science Schools, we see summer camp as an opportunity to reverse that trend.
Why Nature Matters
When children play outside, building forts, following animal tracks, listening to birdsong, they are doing more than entertaining themselves. They’re developing physical coordination, emotional resilience, creativity, and empathy. They’re learning to assess risk, solve problems, and pay attention to subtle details in their environment.
These are critical life skills, and they’re hard to teach in a classroom or through a screen.
Time in nature also supports mental health. Numerous studies show that outdoor experiences reduce stress, increase focus, and promote overall well-being in children and teens. Nature doesn’t demand performance or perfection. It invites curiosity, imagination, and wonder.
A Summer of Discovery
At Teton Science Schools’ summer camps, children explore creeks, build natural shelters, hike among wildflowers, and learn about the ecosystems that make this place so unique. These are not just fun memories, they’re formative experiences that help shape how children relate to the world around them.
When kids get their hands dirty, splash in streams, and fall asleep with dirt under their fingernails, they’re not just having fun. They’re reclaiming something essential. They’re remembering how to be in the world.
The Long-Term Impact
Reversing the extinction of experience is not just about giving kids a better summer. It’s about nurturing a generation that knows and cares about the land they inherit. When children feel connected to nature, they grow into adults who protect it.
So when your child comes home from camp sun-kissed, muddy, and full of stories—know that something deeper is happening. They’re not just learning about nature. They’re learning to belong to it.
Curiosity Is in Our Nature – Let’s Get Outside!
From preschoolers to high schoolers, Teton Science Schools’ Summer rograms spark curiosity through outdoor adventure and hands-on learning. Whether it’s exploring Grand Teton National Park, discovering local public lands, or diving into fun weekly themes on our Jackson and Teton Valley campuses, every day is filled with growth, wonder, and connection.
Spots are limited — enroll today and give your child a summer of discovery.
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