The Healing Power of Nature

Why Time in Nature Matters

Childhood should include muddy boots, curious discoveries, and plenty of fresh air. Research continues to show that spending time outdoors supports children's physical, emotional, and social well-being.

A large study involving nearly 20,000 participants found that people who spent at least two hours a week in natural environments reported better overall health and higher levels of well-being than those who spent little or no time outdoors. These findings suggest that regular experiences in nature can contribute to healthy habits and positive well-being. (White, 2019)

Nature also supports emotional wellness. Researchers at Stanford University found that spending time walking in natural settings reduced repetitive negative thinking and promoted healthier patterns of brain activity associated with emotional well-being. Time outdoors can help children and adults feel calmer, more focused, and better able to manage everyday stress. (Bratman, 2015)

These findings are echoed in the doctoral research of Dr. Rita Boechler, Director and owner of The Art Treehouse. Through immersive eco-art experiences, students demonstrated increased mindfulness, deeper connections with nature, enhanced creativity, and a growing sense of belonging and responsibility toward the environment. The study highlights the powerful role that outdoor artistic experiences can play in supporting children's intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual development. (Boechler, 2016)

At The Art Treehouse, children spend their days immersed in nature through creative exploration, outdoor observation, hands-on art projects, and unstructured play. Whether they are sketching wildflowers, creating botanical prints, building fairy houses, or simply noticing the wonders around them, campers experience the joy and benefits of connecting with the natural world.

In a world where children spend increasing amounts of time indoors and on screens,

art & nature camp offers something simple and powerful: time to explore, create, and grow.

References

• White, M. P., et al. (2019). Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Scientific Reports, 9, 7730.

• Bratman, G. N., et al. (2015). Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(28), 8567–8572.

• Boechler, R. L. (2026). Rooted in Art: Developing an Eco-Integral Art Education Framework for Junior High Students. Doctoral dissertation, University of Calgary.