Quiz: Is your family suffering from nature deficit disorder?

As Richard Louv argues in his book Last Child in the Forest, kids are suffering from "nature deficit disorder," a lack of interaction with the great outdoors. Regular outdoor activity could be the "chill pill" that our overly medicated society so desperately needs -- and hasn't recognized. Studies prove that regular exposure to the great outdoors reduces stress, combats obesity, increases creativity, and even alleviates symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) -- possibly even reducing the need for medication in some kids.

Are you and your family getting your needed dose of nature? Take our quiz to find out, and read on for tips to help maximize your enjoyment of nature, regardless of your experience level.

1. Do you like spending time outdoors?
a) Yes
b) Sometimes
c) I love scenic country drives.
d) Yes, if you mean my backyard.

2. My family goes for nature walks in wooded areas, meadows, ponds, or by the water (man-made "lakes" or "ponds" in suburban developments don't count)…
a) Biweekly or more
b) Once a month or so
c) Every few months
d) Isn't that what class field trips are for?

3. During a summer walk in the forest, my family is typically
a) Comparing leaves, listening for birds and squirrels, looking for salamanders, chasing each other along the trails, nibbling wild raspberries, jumping over mushrooms, searching for a creek and identifying an appropriate campsite to pitch the tent.
b) All of the above, except the tent part.
c) Following the most direct trail to the scenic lookout to check it out and take some photos. Then heading back to the car.
d) Thinking, Hey, the theme park did a pretty good job of recreating the jungle!

4. If I saw my eight-year-old climbing a tree and sitting on a branch about 12 feet off the ground, I'd...
a) Observe.
b) Watch, though perhaps go a bit closer, just in case.
c) Tell him to come back down.
d) Freak out and get my husband to climb up after him -- no, on second thought, call the fire department to get him.

5. If my daughter broke her arm playing in the wilderness, I'd...
a) Tell her to chalk it up to experience. Now she knows her limits better.
b) Stick a bit closer during these activities.
c) Construct a safety-tested, store-bought fort in our backyard.
d) That would never happen to me because I only let my kids play safe.

6. My child has handled...
• Snails
• Salamanders
• Frogs
• Toads
• Minnows
• Caterpillars
• Worms
• Grasshoppers
• Crickets
• Ladybugs
• Pillbugs
(Safety note: Never touch mammals or winged insects like butterflies and moths.)

7. As a child, I…
• Climbed trees
• Camped
• Hiked
• Fished
• Mountain biked
• Collected leaves, fossils, rocks or other natural specimens
• Farmed
• Gardened
• Played in the woods
• Played by a nearby creek or pond

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