According to the latest numbers released by the Centers for Disease Control, more than 5 million American children have been diagnosed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). And nearly 3 million of those children are currently being medicated for this disorder.
For sufferers, ADHD can bring about a combination of issues, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior, struggles with low self esteem, problems forming healthy relationships and poor school performance.
Taking into account everything from medication, general medical care and work time lost for family members, the financial burden for families dealing with ADHD is in excess of $1,500 per year per diagnosed child. A recent study published in the journal Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being might just provide some relief for these children and their families.
According to the study, the more “green time” children get, the fewer ADHD symptoms they experience. “On the whole, the green settings were related to milder overall symptoms than either the ‘built outdoors’ or ‘indoors’ settings,” says Andrea Faber Taylor, one of the study’s authors.
Given the problematic symptoms and costs that arise from ADHD, this is groundbreaking news!
At Whispering Pines Family Farm, getting more “green time” for your child is made easy. Our activities allow children to experience the great outdoors like never before.
Camp attendees have the opportunity to learn how to care for our farm animals — horses, donkeys, chickens, goats, rabbits, sheep, and even ducks! — and share responsibilities that come with owning and spending time with animals.
They’ll also have the chance to explore more than 10 acres of wooded land that is home to many plants and animals, as well as a big pond full of sunfish, bass, minnows, frogs, turtles and snakes. They’ll learn lessons that examine nature and wildlife on a farm, while at the same time discovering a new appreciation for these animals and plants.
Campers get to work side by side, helping with all of the daily chores necessary in harvesting farm crops. And after the crops are harvested, they get to enjoy them as healthy snacks! On top of all this, campers use their own creativity and imagination while making crafts and projects with outdoor themes. Nature hikes, specially designed “confidence courses,” swimming and other non-competitive sports activities along with theatrical skit creation are also offered.
Managing the symptoms of ADHD is an ongoing and sometimes distressing task, but getting more “green time” at Whispering Pines Family Farm might be just what the doctor ordered! Contact us today for more information!