Shoals to the Shores, Casie Jones
Summer has come to an end and youth in our communities will be headed back to school soon. Many youngsters in Alabama will be reflecting and sharing their stories about the thrills they had experiencing the outdoors throughout their summer break. There are dedicated organizations across the state that are offer nature-based actives for children and teens throughout the year and the summer.
In Northern Alabama, Magnolia Nature School offers a special place to “grow and learn.” Nestled in the arms of the well-known Camp McDowell in Nauvoo, children ages 3-6 have an opportunity to experience the farm, forest, and streams in a creative and mindful way. Camp McDowell also offers summer camp for older children and teens that include similar activities. Sophie Evans, age 15, from Tuscaloosa reflected that “at camp McDowell, we spend the majority of the time outdoors doing activities like hiking and canoeing, and it really gets everyone from all backgrounds and ages engaged in the nature surrounding us.” Camp McDowell’s mission embraces the idea of investing in youth as future stewards of our earth.
Another group of 8-12 year old’s, enthusiastically, enjoyed the outdoors as they participated in Parks and Recreation Authority’s Outdoor Adventure Camp in Tuscaloosa. This 5-week summer camp offered themed weeks of adventures including, “Earth, Hands-On,” Hitting the Trails,” and “Bugs, Nets, Getting Wet.” The camp’s mission is to involve kids in nature-based learning, develop a sense of wonder and respect for the earth, and engage in healthful physical activity.
In Baldwin County, Nature Connect Alabama offered programs to ages 3-5 and 6-12 in different locations where participants went swimming in the beautiful, coastal waterways, used seine nets in Mobile Bay and explored freshwater creeks, catching salamanders and frogs. Nature Connect’s goal is to use child-led experiences and excitement to develop an appreciation of the earth.
As Sierrans in Alabama, supporting youth in the outdoors and in nature-based learning opportunities is a vital part of our action in our communities and state. We should invest in and protect the need for growing these young stewards of our earth.
Environmentalism begins with that special spark in connecting to our land, water, and air. Let us work together to be more connected to nature and to our communities so that we can grow together!
www.instagram.com/natureconnectalabama
www.natureconnectalabama.org
https://campmcdowell.com/summer-camps-retreats
https://campmcdowell.com/educational-programs/magnolia-nature-school
http://www.tcpara.org/adventurecamp
https://www.facebook.com/groups/paraadventurecamp