No child left inside

Ah, the lazy, hazy days of summer … I remember that as soon as school was out, even my book-wormish self could be found in the backyard as often as not. Or my best friend and I took off our shoes and walked through the creek that ran between our grammar school and the high school -- that was the only way to cool down!

Apparently, today's kids are suffering from Nature Deficit Disorder. They sit inside and play Rock Band alone on PlayStation instead of jamming on actual musical instruments with other kids. Maybe they meet other kids through World of Warcraft, but they don't explore the real world of trees and bugs outside their windows.

That's what pundits like Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods are complaining about. He's part of a growing movement to reconnect modern kids with the primal joys of nature. One activist group is No Child Left Inside -- a broad-based coalition across the U.S. that supports environmental education.

Wondering where you can take action? Well, in your own backyard, of course. Even the most suburban of cities (like mine) has local and regional parks with a taste of nature. Just type your ZIP code and "parks" into Yahoo! Local to find a list of parks in your town.

The Playborhood blog is a great resource for parents trying to get their kids outside. A team of parents post about how and where to help kids cut loose and have fun outdoors. "Unstructured activity" is the name of this game. Read founder Mike's manifesto for a look at the community's goals.

While the blog's reviews for specific parks and playgrounds are limited to Berkeley, Palo Alto, and Menlo Park in California and Oakville North in Ontario, Canada, the bloggers hope to expand and you can help. Plus, the list of resources is fascinating reading (even for a non-parent who's interested in the environment and future generations).

Even if you think you know your town like the back of your hand, take a second look with the little ones in mind. Just last weekend, I found a new-to-me park that was great for walking. I saw a young deer and a heron from the spot where friends and I were picnicking too.

Now that I know this place is so close, I'm telling my neighbors because they all have young kids. And video games just aren't the same as splashing in a lake with ducks nearby.