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06 July ~ 2007
I have a nature program for children tomorrow at El Dorado Canyon, and then not another for two weeks. I have a few at the end of July, and only two scheduled for all of August. In midsummer I like to get out and recharge my batteries, find some inspiration up high. That's the beauty of volunteer work. When you need a break, you can usually take one. Also, most schools around here are out of session in the summer, and there isnt as much of a demand for Naturalist field trip leaders.Today though I went back and took a look at the photos the children took with my camera during the June nature programs. After the program I format the photos into a gallery and slide show, then put them online with a password so that their teacher can login and have her students look at the photos of their field trip to Lair of the Bear Park, or Lookout Mountain, or Barr Lake. (I say 'her,' because the elementary school teachers are almost always ladies. We get plenty of Dad parent helpers though.)
I really enjoy looking at the photos, because the nature programs seem to go by so quickly, and since I am working so hard to make it interesting for the participants, I don't get a chance to step back and really appreciate how great all this is, being a nature guide for class after class of schoolkids.
They see me as very old, and maybe somebody that knows a thing or two. They can tell by my facts and stories how passionate I am about being outside, and learning about the natural world. It may have an impact of them, this calm, observant adult leading them on a walk with their teacher and moms and dads through the woods, up a mountainside, beside a stream, along the shore of a lake, and telling them stories about bears and mountain lions, wild catnip by the trail, and this tree here, where last summer we saw a hummingbird sitting on a nest just over our heads.
It is good work, something that I have been doing for 15 consecutive years now. I think the years ahead are going to be even better. There is something so magical about it, leading teachers and parents and children who are wide-eyed and excited at being out in nature. Take a look at the photos below and see if you agree.
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(to see a 700 pixel wide image of the above image, click here; to see a 1400 wide pixel image of the above picture, click here.)