Ryan Viehweger
Staff Writers
Trail running through the woods, mountain biking, sightseeing, hiking, and kayaking are activities that consume the time that people spend at national parks. Getting children off their phones and growing relationships with nature is crucial for satisfaction in life. “People who have a deeper response when viewing beauty in nature have better well-being” according to Dr. Miles Richardson. When people feel more connected to nature, it brings out positive emotions and reduces stress levels. A trickling creek, pine aroma, and noisy cicadas are the aspects of nature which inspire people to contemplate the real meaning of life and their aspirations.
Many families look forward to escaping their modern routines and going for family vacations at national parks. These preserved American wilderness sites serve as great destinations for improving a connection with nature. For generations, people have taken their families out camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and more at these places, forcing them to leave stress behind. However, government officials are looking for “a way to improve overall camping experiences,” said Derrick Crandall, vice chairman of the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee.
NBC News Contributors Phil Helsel and Sam Brock reported that in order to ‘improve’ the national parks, “the Trump administration [suggests] that food trucks, Wi-Fi and Amazon deliveries should be allowed in campgrounds at national parks” to improve the camping experience. In addition to the added perks, they recommend “privatizing the operation of campgrounds, including adding running water, tent and cabin rentals.” These proposals have not been finalized and are facing fierce criticism from many campers.
A passionate camper exclaimed on NBC news that “we don’t need food trucks, we don’t need Wi-Fi, and we don’t need more garbage and people dropping hot dog wrappers.”
National parks are a place for leaving screens and fast paced life behind and are not the place for Amazon deliveries and Wi-Fi. Many children already spend a gigantean amount of time on devices and thus face isolation from nature. National parks are the only place where the youth can disconnect and enjoy life fully. Adding privatization will make these areas like towns, ruining the aspect of isolation that draws people there in the first place. When planning to go to a national park, it is essential to take the surroundings in fully, unimpeded by smartphone distractions.
While the government officials’ passion for improving national parks is essential for them to continue, turning them into shopping center, luxury glamping sites would backfire immensely. Unfortunately, efforts for Internet connectivity have begun in Yellowstone Park through building “five microwave antenna stations, several backcountry repeater stations, a dozen wireless antennae spaced throughout the park, and hundreds of wireless transceivers fixed to buildings. The system would blanket Canyon Village, Grant Village, Lake, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Old Faithful.” A lack of vocal opposition from Americans has resulted in the development of the national parks.
Becoming isolated from nature on video games, families try to get kids back outside. National Parks are some of the few remaining areas where the youth can find a connection with nature, without the interruptions from technology. Rather than cooped up in a tent trying to find resource gems on Minecraft, children should be out exploring and finding the actual gems that make the world great.
