Step One: Pick a Natural Space
Pick a natural space you want to visit. Nature is everywhere, so this can be as close as your backyard or as distant as another state or country. We recommend starting out with a space close to home to better understand the nature that you are surrounded by every day. After that, you can explore even more areas and have a piece of your own natural space to compare and contrast.
Step Two: Plan and Prepare
What are you hoping to get out of your time in mature? Do you want to be like many other naturalists and write down your thoughts in a journal? Do you want to learn about the ecosystem you are visiting by heading to a nature center? Are you just looking for peace in a chaotic time? These are all great reasons, so be sure to cater your trip to YOU.
Step Three: Observe and Connect
Use all of your senses while you are taking your nature walk. What do you see? Smell? Hear? Immerse yourself in the wonder and beauty that surrounds you! How many colors can you find? How many plants can you smell? Go all out and explore the different ways you can connect! (You can even use the Japanese art of forest bathing to do this.)
Step Four: Reflect
How did your nature walk make you feel? Did it help you to find a deeper connection to nature? Did it inspire you to take on an environmental project? Do you find you’re your time in nature made you happy? At Peace? The opposite?! You get to decide the outcome, so make it count!
Step Five: Share
Share your journey with other Girl Scouts, family, or friends to help them better understand the natural world as well. Sharing your story wont just help you discover why you want to be a naturalist. It might also help others who are far removed from natural spaces to connect to nature again or find an appreciation for the great outdoors that they might not have had before.
Now, get out there and be a naturalist!
Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Naturalist Club meets twice a month. Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors meet every other week on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. Register here. Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors meet every other week on Thursdays at 4 p.m. Register here.
We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.