When young people have regular opportunities to experience nature they grow a better understanding and appreciation of how to healthily interact and live within the natural environment. Time spent outdoors allows them to develop their coordination, motor skills, and better assess their own abilities when taking risks - which leads to greater self confidence and self awareness. 

Observing and interacting with nature in gentle ways also teaches empathy and self control, and fosters a sense of wonder.

This class is not intended to be a rigorously academic science course but rather a place for kids to connect socially with others who enjoy being outdoors and encourage each other towards a mindful exploration of nature and creativity.

New students are welcome to join this on-going class at any time. 

There will be no formal "weekly schedule" as each week's class will stand alone and will be student-lead, focusing on causal group discussion and sharing. As teacher I'll be their guide - supporting kind and caring social interactions, encouraging collaborative virtual exploration of each other's finds, and providing a safe and inclusive space for building friendships, creative sparks, questions, and idea sharing. 

When we gather together online for class each week, students will have the opportunity to share journal entries, show items they've collected, talk about the hikes they've taken, ask questions, and practice listening and sharing in respectful ways as we discuss their outdoor explorations and get to know each other! 



In preparation for this class, students are encouraged to spend at period of at least an hour each week outside exploring in their backyard, a local park, or other natural setting. This doesn't need to be the same day as class and the space doesn't need to be large - even just a small patch of earth and some open sky will do, if that's all that's available... but the more room and diverse terrain they have to freely explore, the better! 

I encourage students to first spend about 10 minutes sitting quietly: to listen, observe, and then make a record in a nature journal. (This journaling is intended to be a positive, creative exercise... Students may choose to include drawings of what they see, rubbings of textures found nearby, pressed flowers and leaves, writing about what they see, feel, and *feel*. This isn't so much about how much journaling is done or how "well" students doing are making their entries... they should simply do their best and try to find their sense of personal creativity within the practice. Students may also use digital cameras or phones to take pictures of their discoveries that can't be brought inside for in-class sharing, but this is not a requirement.)

After taking time to sit and journal, students should spend the rest of their outdoor time exploring, collecting (no living creatures, please - let's leave them outdoors, where they will be happiest!), wondering, imagining... moving their bodies, or even laying down and watching the clouds or looking closely at the grass. This should be a time for students to *experience* time outdoors as a whole person - body, mind, and spirit. This is also a great opportunity for students who enjoy walking and hiking to add in the mindfulness practice of allowing themselves to be deeply present and aware of their surroundings along the way. 

But all of this is optional, and open to interpretation by each student... just spend your time in nature in the ways that work best for you, and come to class ready to hang out and chat with others who enjoy being outside, too!