Sharks in the lake? Bears in the woods of Oakland County? A middle school teacher from Hamtramck shared a story with me Saturday that was funny at first, but also a little heartbreaking the more you think about it.
The teacher had arranged an outing in September for more than 80 middle school students to Independence Oaks County Park for a canoeing experience. Many of those students were worried about sharks in the lake and bears lurking in the woods!
It's easy to laugh, but think about what that tells us. For some young people, a trip to a wooded park or a paddle across a quiet lake is an entirely unfamiliar experience. According to the National Wildlife Federation, American children may spend as little as 30 minutes a day in unstructured outdoor play.
That's why youth outdoor programs are so important!
In fact, that's what brought me to Independence Oaks on Saturday, where I spent the day with Detroit Outdoors and a cohort of teachers at the Oakland County park's group campground, participating in their Camping Leadership Immersion Course (CLIC).
Detroit Outdoors brings together partners including the Sierra Club, Detroit Parks & Recreation and the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit to help more young people experience the outdoors through supporting teachers and youth leaders. Through CLIC, participants learn the skills needed to organize and lead camping trips. The program also provides access to a camping equipment lending library, which makes tents, sleeping bags and other essential gear available to groups that might otherwise struggle with gathering enough gear to run a campout. But these outings are about more than teaching someone how to pitch a tent or paddle a canoe. It's about building confidence, overcoming fears and helping young people discover that nature is a place where they belong.
And educators are doing this important work across Michigan! Last week, the Michigan DNR recognized four educators honored by the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education:
Mike Latus of Warren Dunes State Park received the Julian Smith Award for excellence in outdoor education.
Michelle Serreyn of Detroit's Outdoor Adventure Center received the William Stapp Award for environmental education.
Rose Menzies, associated with Flint's new state park, received the Rising Star Award.
Tammy Smith, an elementary school teacher in Shiawassee County, was recognized for her work with Salmon in the Classroom and efforts to establish a certified school forest.
These educators and programs like Detroit Outdoors do the important work of connecting young people with nature through schools, parks, urban green spaces and community partnerships. Protecting natural areas is essential, but so is ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience them.
Although the seeds of a lifelong connection with nature may first be planted in a classroom or maybe even on TikTok, it's often that first camping trip, hike through the woods or paddle across a lake that allows those seeds to germinate and begin to grow.
And hopefully, they'll discover there aren't any sharks waiting for them — at least in Michigan!
#AccessToNature #NaturalConnections #OutdoorEducation
Resources & More Information
1. Detroit Outdoors — Learn about the Camping Leadership Immersion Course (CLIC), camping equipment lending library, and efforts to expand outdoor opportunities for Detroit youth.
https://www.detroitoutdoors.org/
2. Michigan DNR — Environmental Education Awards (October 15, 2026) — Meet the four Michigan educators recognized for excellence in outdoor and environmental education.
https://www.michigan.gov/.../dnr-educators-honored-with...
3. Sustained Outcomes Foundation — Learn about our work expanding access to nature, nurturing natural connections, and advancing nonprofit preneurism.
https://sustainedoutcomes.org/initiatives
4. National Wildlife Federation — Health Benefits and Tips — Learn about the finding that American children spend as little as 30 minutes a day in unstructured outdoor play and why connecting children with nature matters.
Ken Jacobsen is a co-chair of the Michigan Chapter Outings Committee and leads the Sustained Outcomes Foundation, which is dedicated to expanding access to nature, nurturing natural connections and advancing nonprofit preneurism.