Richard Louv touring Australia this February

The American author of Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle, Richard Louv, will be touring Australia, thanks to the Australian Conservation Foundation, this February.

View Richard’s speaking dates here.

In a past post we touched on the phrase ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’ which was coined by Richard. Put simply, Richard’s use of the term aims to show the relationship between the lack of time spent outdoors with the increase in social, mental and physical health problems.

We agree with Richard entirely. It’s time to encourage our youth to swap the remote control for remote wilderness and to remove the idea that travelling in nature is a dangerous thing to do. You only have to think anecdotally – how many more articles in the news do you hear about kids hurting themselves doing things like falling off balconies during end of school celebrations than they do in remote area travel?

View a past lecture by Richard Louv.

The Youth4Youth Challenge



We’ve been following Richard for some time now, and strongly agree with his principles. Richard’s work actually helped to inspire the Youth4Youth Challenge, Australia’s first ever fundraising bushwalking challenge for students, which we created in Australia to help connect kids with the outdoors and raise money for seriously ill teens that are unable to enjoy life’s simple pleasures such as a walk in a National Park.

In 2014, the Youth4Youth Challenge will be held on 4 May in Kuring Gai National Park, just north of Sydney. Once again all funds raised will be donated to the Starlight Children’s Foundation as well as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award’s pilot program with the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

If you haven’t entered a team, or encouraged your child to take part in this pioneering event, here are five reasons why you should;

1. If your child is doing their Duke of Edinburgh Award, the Y4Y can count towards the volunteering component of their Award.


2. Encourage your child’s philanthropic outlook. All monies raised go to the Starlight Children’s Foundation and the Duke of Edinburgh’s pilot scheme with the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.


3. Reconnect your kids with our glorious National Parks by getting them out on a fun, safe walk with their mates.


4. Increase your child’s self esteem – they’ll feel great after they’ve conquered the walking challenge and know that they’ve helped less fortunate kids who can’t do what many of us take for granted.


5. Win free stuff – raise the most money by event day to win 4 x Outdoor Adventure Kits worth $1000 for your team thanks to Paddy Pallin.

Register your team at youth4youthchallenge.com.au