The Power of Nature
How Nature Changed My Son’s Life — And How It Can Change Yours Too
My son, Bodhi, has always been curious and full of energy. But traditional learning environments from the desks, worksheets, four walls and lining up for recess, never quite fit him. He struggled to focus. He was restless and sometimes frustrated. Honestly, so was I, trying to help him thrive in environmnets that just didn’t match who he is.
Everything changed when we reintroduced something simple, powerful, and often overlooked: the outdoors.
Guest blogger, Christy R. Jones, YMCA Staff Member & Parent of three
Spending time outside—climbing trees, exploring trails, digging in the dirt, watching plants grow, catching bugs and spending time at summer camps that took place OUTSIDE—transformed my bundle of energy and enhanced his spirit in ways nothing else could. His attention span grew. His creativity exploded. His emotional regulation improved. He smiled more.
Experts have studied this for years. Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods talks about “nature-deficit disorder”—the idea that kids today are missing out on the essential benefits of outdoor experiences. And it’s real. The Children & Nature Network backs it up: nature isn’t just “nice to have” it’s critical for healthy childhood development. Time outside, especially unstructured play, improves academic outcomes, reduces anxiety, and builds resilience.
But here’s the good news: the outdoors isn’t locked behind expensive gates or limited to remote destinations. Right here in Fort Worth, YMCA Camp Carter offers 360+ acres of woods, trails, water, and open skies—an incredible, accessible antidote to nature-deficit disorder for every family just minutes from most cities and neighborhoods in the Fort Worth area.
Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods talks about “nature-deficit disorder”—the idea that kids today are missing out on the essential benefits of outdoor experiences. And it’s real.
Camp Carter is so much more than a summer camp. With new year-round memberships, anyone—families, children, even corporate groups—can hike, fish, explore, and reconnect anytime. No long drives. No big price tags. Just open space, fresh air, and the opportunity to belong to the natural world again.
Bodhi’s journey isn’t unique. Every child can benefit from outdoor experiences. And YMCA Camp Carter makes sure no child is left behind because of location or cost. They are preserving something rare: wild space in the middle of a growing city, protecting local ecology while giving families the gift of nature.
If you’re a parent reading this, here’s my advice:
- Schedule one outdoor afternoon a week, even if it’s just an hour.
- Let your child get messy, climb trees, and build forts.
- Visit Camp Carter, take a hike, or attend an event—they’re open to you, not just in summer but all year long and membership isn’t required to join any event.
- Support spaces that protect our children’s right to wildness—and fight to keep them thriving.
Nature saved Bodhi’s spirit. Imagine what it could do for your child, too.
