As children move into adolescence they become more disconnected from nature. After the age of nine, levels of nature connection drop dramatically and do not recover for around 20 years. Other studies show that when teenagers prioritise a connection with nature, they’re less likely to suffer from mental health issues.
A study of 30,000 adolescents in Canada found that those who agreed that it was important to feel connected with nature were also 25% less likely to experience mental health issues. The same study also found the number of adolescents who think nature connection is important falls by 30% between age 9 and 15.
Teenagers would be an important part of the user group of the site with the availability of cycling, trim trail / green gym and running track. In addition, cooking workshops, rites of passage events such as red tents for young women and art and music workshops could take place. Volunteer work experience schemes could involve these young people in the creation of different habitats and this work could be done in conjunction with local environmental and conservation groups.
“We do have a massive waiting list so definitely a demand. Plus we need a new hall as ours is almost at end of life and needs rebuilding. So that could be factored into use of the site, ideally with an outdoors adventure/ campsite that could be hired by the local community and wider for use then that would be a greater asset to the community IMO rather than housing”
The camping facilities and proximity to the Chilterns makes for a wonderful start or finish to a Duke of Edinburgh expedition for young people and would remove the need to travel away from the area. Opening the eyes of young people to the natural beauty on their doorstep and providing access to it could pay dividends to communities in the longer time scale in terms of mental well-being, reduction in anti-social behaviours and a sense of belonging.
“I am an Art and Photography teacher at Highdown and fully support the Arboretum vision. To be able to take students to a local area of natural beauty to photograph and draw would be a fantastic opportunity and would give equal benefit to disadvantaged students who miss out on visits to places further afield.
To have an art installation within walking distance of several local schools, would be amazing and inspire students”
Local scout and brownie packs utilizing these camping facilities would introduce the young people of Reading to the benefits of spending time in nature in a local environment. Children need nature. There is much concern about the generations of children that have grown up with an awareness of environmental problems but little connection to nature. Nature is a great respite from stress and too much time indoors. Camp environments can help children to develop positive values and strength of character which benefits the whole community. Initial research suggest significant demand from local youth groups for accessible local camping locations that can benefit supervised local youth groups. The beauty of the site is its scale and this allows the space to be used sustainably and sensitively for a wide variety of events and activities in harmony with the biodiversity on site.
