The Unencumbered Child in Nature
Last week the Senior Outdoor Club gathered for our weekly afternoon and started
out with a short meeting to discuss how to spend the next hour and a half. The kids
were excited to share the plan that they had formulated earlier in the day and to get
started with their outdoor adventure. I was quietly skeptical that their choice of
activity would be purposeful and I was formulating back-up plans in my head, but
followed the enthusiastic group to the location to begin.
It just happened to be the kind of crisp, colorful day that only October can bring with
blue skies, light breezes, a chilly 45 degrees, but sunshiney. No materials, field
guides, or tools were required so it was easy to begin. Underneath the bird feeding
station past the bird blind we laid on our backs on the ground. MOTIONLESS.
SILENT. WAITING TO SEE BIRDS. FOR A HALF HOUR. We took a short break then
returned. FOR ANOTHER HALF HOUR.
A monarch flew high above the canopy on a direct south route right over us. Maple
and Black Walnut leaves floated to the ground in the wind. Honey bees were busy
nectaring on Asters blooming within a few feet. On the other side of campus far-off
laughter and calls could be heard from the playground. The ground felt cold and
hard to my body for the almost hour we spent here, but the comfort and calmness
and peace I felt was amazing. We ended up only seeing a total of 2 birds, far off, in
the branches of forest trees, but before we left for home we discussed how our time
was spent, and we were content.
None of my back-up plans were put into motion on that afternoon in Outdoor Club.
