What's Going on Inside the Egg?
Story Time: A Year at Nature Learning Community
We caught frogs, held them gently and let them go. We built fires, sang songs, carved bull roarers, launched arrows, built houses (for fairies and for full-sized people), cooked campfire feasts and hid on our bellies behind ferns and raspberries while “Eagle Eyes” hunted for us. We gave out “Dirty Prizes” for those whose smudges, wet shoes and scrapes told the story of their all-out immersion in our nature-connected days. Often, we did all of these things in a single session!
We caught frogs, held them gently and let them go. We built fires, sang songs, carved bull roarers, launched arrows, built houses (for fairies and for full-sized people), cooked campfire feasts and hid on our bellies behind ferns and raspberries while “Eagle Eyes” hunted for us. We gave out “Dirty Prizes” for those whose smudges, wet shoes and scrapes told the story of their all-out immersion in our nature-connected days. Often, we did all of these things in a single session!
We celebrate the many beautiful days we lived –
the rosy cheeks and bright eyes of children and adults
filled up with a day in the woods!
the rosy cheeks and bright eyes of children and adults
filled up with a day in the woods!
For every year of sunny-foggy-snowy-rainy days like this, there’s another story as well. In the background, much is done to create these experiences. This year’s background story speaks eloquently of our learning and growth as we reach out to you this Fall.
Illness and Emergence
In November, and again in May, NLC’s founder, director and lead teacher was sick in bed for several weeks, largely unable to work. Suddenly a question that’s driven our growth for years was front and center: Is Nature Learning Community one person’s project or will it have a continuing life of its own?
Leading our classes requires an unusual bundle of qualities: connection with self, others and nature, outoors skills, nature knowledge, the ability to mentor children and adults with love, patience and joy. And, most importantly, an embodiment of nature-connected culture which can come only from showing up again and again and again. Leadership like this develops slowly. It takes time, nurturance and collaboration.
We weathered our year of illness and emergence. Some classes were cancelled, but many went on thanks to the grit and hard work of our core team of instructors. The experience sharpened our belief that knowledge and responsibility need to be strengthened and distributed. We’ve been pouring creative attention into our adult leaders (plus one valiant junior assistant teacher).
Illness and Emergence
In November, and again in May, NLC’s founder, director and lead teacher was sick in bed for several weeks, largely unable to work. Suddenly a question that’s driven our growth for years was front and center: Is Nature Learning Community one person’s project or will it have a continuing life of its own?
Leading our classes requires an unusual bundle of qualities: connection with self, others and nature, outoors skills, nature knowledge, the ability to mentor children and adults with love, patience and joy. And, most importantly, an embodiment of nature-connected culture which can come only from showing up again and again and again. Leadership like this develops slowly. It takes time, nurturance and collaboration.
We weathered our year of illness and emergence. Some classes were cancelled, but many went on thanks to the grit and hard work of our core team of instructors. The experience sharpened our belief that knowledge and responsibility need to be strengthened and distributed. We’ve been pouring creative attention into our adult leaders (plus one valiant junior assistant teacher).
These good people have been working hard, building outdoors skills, and honing their ability to create a container where people can immerse in nature connected community. They’re the strength, the beauty and the future of Nature Learning Community.
Viewed from the outside,
an egg doesn’t show us much about its growth.
When we look at it,
we have faith and hope that
inside a chick is developing who will one day hatch out
and even fly.
an egg doesn’t show us much about its growth.
When we look at it,
we have faith and hope that
inside a chick is developing who will one day hatch out
and even fly.
This year we haven’t added new classes. There are no weekend workshops on the horizon. But inside the egg, our ongoing growth is profound! We can’t yet answer our question: Is Nature Learning Community one person’s project or will it have a continuing life of its own? But we’re dedicated to the possibility of flight. We hope you share our vision, and that you’ll help us keep it going. Please donate to our Fall Fundraiser!
Nature Learning Community is recognized as a Federal Tax Exempt Organization under IRS code section 501(c)3. Tax ID # 46-3492516. We'll gladly provide you with a receipt for tax purposes.