What's wrong with staying inside with a book?

In responding to the comment that kids reading is enough, I offer this: I work at a nature education facility where we have hundreds of kids come through each summer to experience nature first hand. Books are fantastic, they improve imagination, they are amazing educational tools besides being fun. My only concern is that without a balance, kids will be deprived of dirt under their fingernails and chlorophyll stains on their shirts. Kids need experiential education to keep them enthusiastic and excited. It's not only to gain information but to develop a sense of curiosity and exploration. Imagine Dick Cheney as a child. I'm sure he read a great deal, owing to his apparent intellect, but I have a hard time imagining that he would support many of his environmentally destructive policies if he had had an opportunity to experience natural systems first hand, to see why they are important and why they need protection. No one wants to preserve a place they've never been to and the best way to ensure kids have a healthy respect and curiosity for these places if they are given the opportunity to run around in it. It's great for body and mind. Get messy, make mistakes and have fun! THEN read about what you saw.

Ever hear of a notebook?

Or get an Acer eee ( OLPA - one laptop per adult ), put it in your backpack, climb on a bike and blog at the beach.