In this month's column, the author reflects on his childhood experiences of "playing in the woods" and his insatiable love of the outdoors as compared to today's youth, who spend the majority of their free time inside their technology-filled bedrooms. Although it's difficult to pinpoint why the downturn of interest in nature has happened, he discusses several possibilities gleaned from recent research on this alarming trend. Further, the social and physiological benefits of spending more time with nature are considered.