WoHeLo! Before I joined Camp Fire last January I would have guessed that ‘WoHeLo’ is a Native American word for ‘Hi There!’. I learned during my orientation that it is actually a representation of Work Health Love, three words that define the Camp Fire philosophy.

WOrk stands for our belief in service learning and volunteerism, even at a young age.

HEalth describes the principle of “Whole Child” development – or maybe I should say ‘Whole Human’ development, because Camp Fire provides professional development for employees and other adults.

LOve signifies our commitment to fostering a love of the outdoors and environmental stewardship.

Because it’s February, I’m compelled to write about the LO in WoHeLo and my LOve of nature. A couple of weeks ago, I spent a long weekend with my family including five grandkids, aged three to eight years old. We went to a cabin in the Ouachita National Forest, a beautiful place for camping, fishing, and hiking within a four-hour drive from the Metroplex area. The weather was in the 50s and cloudy with fog and intermittent drizzle so we put on
hoodies, played outside and went on daily hikes to explore the area. We skipped rocks and compared tree bark. We looked for the Loch Ness monster on the foggy lake and wondered how far it was to the other side. We listened to birdsong and the rushing river. It was just the break I needed to nourish my body, mind and soul.

Nature offers a wide array of child driven, hands-on science and math activities that will engage children for hours such as digging in soil, sand and clay; collecting and comparing rocks, fossils, and shells; observing clouds and changing weather. You just have to get them away from their screens to enjoy them.

There is growing research on the benefits of adults and children spending time in nature. The cost associated with a lack of time in nature is called Nature-Deficit Disorder – a term coined by Richard Louv, author and co-founder of the Children and Nature Network. Time spent outdoors encourages physical activity which burns calories and increases energy levels. Regular doses of sunshine provide Vitamin D which promotes bone health, has an anti-inflammatory effect, and aids the immune system. Sunshine also improves sleep, combats depression, boosts cognitive function, and is thought to improve eye health.

And then there is the awe – those moments of connection and clarity we experience outdoors that feed the spirit.

At Camp Fire, we demonstrate our LOve of nature in big and small ways. Camp El Tesoro, which hosts the Texas Outdoor Education Center, is a shining example of an outdoor classroom for children, teens, and adults. Our Step Up program for at-risk youth offers two days at the camp for a small group of teens that would not otherwise have the opportunity. Our after school programs begin each day with outdoor free play so the students get a brain break from school work. Diamond Hill Station is expanding the gardening project started last year with help from the Junior League of Fort Worth. The Camp Fire Child Development Center playground has natural shade from the many trees on and around the property and lots of room to run, climb, and explore. Our office has a picnic table for employees to have lunch outdoors and many use this area for training and small group meetings.

Everyone can, and should, find ways to enjoy the natural world alone or with friends, co-workers, and family. Take a break from your desk and get a breath of fresh air every day. Our community has numerous parks and nature trails to experience from the Water Gardens to the Fort Worth Nature Center. The City of Fort Worth has 263 parks and over 10,900 acres of developed park land. There are moments every day to appreciate the sunrise and sunset, the moon and stars, and the changing seasons. Share them with your child and instill a love of nature that will last a lifetime.

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”  – Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

Cathy Halliday is the Vice President for the council’s Youth Development division at Camp Fire First Texas. Her specialties include early childhood education, afterschool program development and accreditation management. Cathy holds a Bachelor of Science from New York Institute of Technology in interdisciplinary studies.