“BETTER DROWNED THAN DUFFERS IF NOT DUFFERS WONT DROWN” came the telegram from Captain Walker to his wife having received anguished letters from his children begging permission to go sailing and camping on their own at the start of Swallows and Amazons, the first in the wonderful series of 1930s children’s adventure books by Arthur Ransome.
Today Captain Walker would probably be considered irresponsible.
In a speech to the Prince’s Teaching Institute, the Prince of Wales spoke of the “importance of teaching for the whole person; teaching, educating character, as well as just the academic side”.
Half term is upon us and it behoves families to consider how to encourage the self-esteem, motivation and aspiration that the Prince believes is lacking in some young people. The benefits of getting out into the country are in part at least around building exactly the sort of qualities about which the Prince is talking.
But everything has become so organised. The countryside is controlled by conservation groups that restrict access in a way 1930s children would have found unbelievable. Parents taking children away from the city, are far more likely to think of an amenitised park with an adventure playground than of letting children find their own activities in the country.
Contact with nature needs to be undirected if children are to develop the qualities of which Prince Charles spoke. Confidence doesn’t come from standing in front of an information board showing you the birds you might see. It comes from damming a stream or climbing trees.
I am never sure what the Prince, or anyone else, means by “character” – as if some people have it and others don’t. The most unconfident person has a character. But I think we need young people whose natural curiosity has been fed in different ways so that their ability to think creatively can allow them to enjoy a life that isn’t dependent on things only money can buy.
The cold of a February outside away from human interference may be what is needed.
* Sarah Evans, Principal, King Edward VI High School for Girls