Writes John McKinney in The Hiker’s Way: “Recent research has demonstrated that time spent in nature improves the health of children, increases their ability to concentrate, and boosts their self esteem, emotional well-being and leadership skills. Clearly we have a real responsibility to get our children into nature.”

John McKinney has led many elementary school and middle school students on hikes and taught them the ways of the trail. Inspired by Richard Louv’s landmark book, Last Child in the Woods, he is committed to fighting what Louv describes as “Nature Deficit Disorder.”