When children 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.

In this week-long camp we will talk about how students can build their own nature explorers kit and spend time exploring in their backyard, a local park, or other natural setting. 

We'll learn about "sit spots" and how to be present to listen, observe, and wonder.

We'll create nature journals, and learn to document our adventures outside in creative ways.

Students will be encouraged to spend time outdoors each day exploring, collecting (no living creatures, please - let's leave them outdoors, where they will be happiest!), wondering, imagining, and playing. This should be a time for students to experience time outdoors as a whole person - body, mind, and spirit. 

When we gather together online for class each day, students will have the opportunity to share their journal entries, show items they've collected, ask questions, and practice listening and sharing in respectful ways as we discuss their explorations. 

Some days will include stories, poems, or songs, or a simple art project. 

There will be no formal "schedule" as classes will be inquiry and sharing based, and follow a model of student-lead exploration... As teacher I will be their guide - encouraging collaborative virtual exploration of each other's finds, supporting kind and caring social interactions, and fanning the flames of their creative sparks and idea sharing. 

To help children learn to be active and mindful observers of nature, and understanding that sometimes students are more reserved in their comfort sharing without prompts, the class will follow the following format as a means of guiding students in some of the ways we can experience nature over the course of the camp week:

Monday - 
Making & Using Your Nature Explorers Kit
What is a Nature Journal and How to Keep One

Tuesday - 
What did you see? 
Clouds? A squirrel? A sprouting plant? 

Wednesday - 
What did you hear? 
The wind? A bird? A trickling stream?

Thursday -  
What did you touch?
A smooth stone? Mud? A fuzzy leaf?

Friday - 
What did you smell?
A flower? Fresh earth? The rain?