Mindful In Nature
This week’s theme is “Mindfulness”
“Mindfulness gives you time. Time gives you choices. Choices, skillfully made, lead to freedom.” – Bhante Henepola Gunaratana
We have decided to link this theme to our nature activity as Angie Weiland Crosby said “Nature is the purest portal to inner-peace.”
As we look forward to a week filled with more mindful intentions, we would like to highlight the mindfulness we have in nature.
Mindfulness is about being present in the current moment. Taking in the air that you breathe, smelling the nature surrounding you and connecting.
Learning about Nature
Rocks: In nature, we learn about the 3 different types of rocks, we have the Igneous rocks that are formed from melted rock deep inside the Earth. As well as Sedimentary rocks are formed from layers of sand along with other earth matter. Then finally, Metamorphic rocks formed from other rocks that are changed by heat and pressure.
At FCC, we like to look beneath the surface of what one may consider just an ordinary rock. We recently received a rock tumbler that smoothes out rocks and makes them more shiny. We plan to give each boy in nature the opportunity to take a smooth rock home and keep a bit of Falling Creek with them forever.
Plants: We also learn about identifying the different plants and flora that we have here surrounding us at Falling Creek. This is done often by taking nature hikes to various spots in camp, including the Top of the World. We identify certain plants as edible, for example sourwood which we gave the boys to chew on. As well as sassafras which can be used to make root beer. We have also done lessons on the different types of fungi.
Animals: A crowd favorite is definitely finding and identifying animals around Falling Creek. This is an opportunity to get a closer look at certain bugs and insects. We also provide the boys lessons on certain animals such as frogs, snakes, beetles, and birds. We have caught sight of certain snakes, snapping turtles, frogs, salamanders and tadpoles. This is a fun learning experience as the boys are provided with the opportunity to catch amphibians, bugs and insects, take a closer look and learn from them.
We currently have a terrarium that holds a frog, salamanders, tadpoles and a few small fish. We also caught some caterpillars that have made their cocoons and we’ll watch them transform.
One of the biggest key takeaways from being in nature is staying mindful, and conscious of how we treat the life around us.
Statements
Pip G. from cabin 15 is from New York and he loves our nature activities. Pip says his favorite part is being able to find little animals, and learn about them. He gets to look at them, touch them and simply engage. He really enjoys learning about each animal, particularly, what they need, what you should or shouldn’t do. He is well aware that animals found in the wild should not be away from their natural habitat for very long.
Langdon D. cabin 27 from Greenwood, Mississippi says that he loves everything about nature. He enjoys learning about the different animals, as well as venomous and nonvenomous spiders and snakes. He thinks that it is extremely cool that he is now able to identify them. His favorite part about Nature is being able to take a closer look at all the animals they find and catch.
Kevin Mendoza. is a Falling Creek Camp counselor. He loves seeing the boys enjoy being out in nature and being able to show them what nature has to offer. Whether it is big or small, everything in nature is working together to create a bigger picture. “Our Nature activity forms a sort of connection between us, as humans, and what is around us. I think we should all appreciate nature with gratitude.”
