This can have adverse effects on our health and well being.

There is a danger that our children can become overly immersed in the attractions of technology, causing them to miss out on a world of experiences and adventure offered by interaction with nature.

Orange Nature Kids is a not for profit organisation that seeks to assist parents and children to meet the need to connect with the natural world.

This is accomplished through a two day school holiday program, which aims to immerse children in the natural world as well as providing a sense of connection, reverence and appreciation for our natural environment and the necessity for its protection and nurture.

The venues chosen for the July holiday's Orange Nature Kids Program were Borenore Caves and Lake Canobolas, sites that provide opportunities for a wide range of outdoor environmental experiences.

A feature of the day at Borenore Caves was a performance by Galumaay and Riverspirit indigenous dance groups who, through traditional stories, dance and song strikingly conveyed the cultural significance of the Borenore caves and the connection Australia's first people have with the land, and how we depend on Mother Nature for all of our needs, and in turn how important it is to take care of Mother Earth.

This was reinforced by the children being given a chance to sample traditional bush tucker.

Exploration of the caves and information of their cultural significance to the local Aboriginal people was another highlight of the day.

The Lake Canobolas program provided for activities which encouraged the children to explore and to interact creatively with their environment through building structures and creating art works from natural found materials.

They were also given the opportunity to give to Mother Earth through planting some native grasses, and being encouraged to participate in National Tree Day, which will be held this year at Lake Canobolas.

Time was also time set aside for free play and independent exploration. The children enjoyed the cooking and eating of damper on both days.

Kate Willoughby, Orange Nature Kids co-ordinator is confident that the children who participated came away with a greater sense of connectedness with the natural world, will value the experience and will communicate this sense of connectedness with nature to others.

Check out Earth First's website for all newsletters: http://www.eccoorange.org.au