There comes a point in our existence as a whole where we must begin a ripple of change with life (as we know it). The hurried pace; the shallow values; the surfaced thoughts with little depth. We must change the way we live. We must begin to live with wholesome intentions and nourished experiences, and normalize it. Cue nature. Cue the great outdoors; these changes, my friends, begin with the children.

In recent times, we’ve seen these changes begin to take effect. We’re seeing the rise in the budding and awareness of holistic & nature-based education across the world, such as forest schools; we’re seeing the rise in like-minded communities, such as ecovillages. We’re seeing more homesteaders and farmsteaders; aspiring farmers are coming to existence and establishing a completely different lifestyle then they themselves have ever had for their families and generations to come. We’re seeing more holistic educators. We’re seeing more parents being called back to the basics and in turn, more children playing outside. We’re witnessing more movements that call people back to their roots, such as the rewilding movement, the Wildschooling movement and the Wild + Free movement. We’re seeing nature-based children’s classes such as Tinkergarten and Timbernook. We’re seeing more challenges and goal-based outdoor communities with tons of support such as 1,000 Hours Outside. This is the beginning of a drastic transformation, and our earth needs it; our children need it; we need it.

It’s important that all people experience this change, but the most important, in my opinion, are the children of our earth. Why? There are many reasons, but here are some of the most crucial:

• Children are in their most formative years of development among all of us; thus the most open to receiving information, retaining it and allowing it to become part of them.
• Our children are our future leaders, and their foundation will carry humankind into our future years! Children have the ability to change the path of our existence.

How do I help increase the awareness and help to build the outdoor movement? There are so many ways (!!) including:

• Encourage the children in your life to play freely outdoors!
• Get involved with like-minded groups and communities.
• Get outdoors yourself! Nature walks, hiking, biking; whatever you feel called to do. If you have children, include them!
• Bring the outdoors in. Consider decorating with touches of nature; that way when you’re not outdoors, you can still enjoy and be inspired by the elements!
• Get involved with your local nature or forest school, or outdoor education center. Offer your talents, inquire about paid positions, donate, or volunteer.
• Bird watch! If you have children, include them.
• Create like-minded social media platforms! The Forest Homeschool is a great example of this.
• Open a nature-inspired or outdoor childcare program.
• Allow your children to use nature as toys.
• Become a forest school teacher!
• Build a treehouse or nature fort for/with your child.
• Donate to organizations that support outdoor education, such as the Eastern Region Association of Forest & Nature Schools or The Forest School Foundation.
• Open your own forest or nature school!
• Advocate, advocate, advocate.
• Consider homesteading or farming
• Form and lead a nature group.
• Support your local farmer!
• Grow a garden with your child, even if it’s in pots!
• Expose babies (safely) to nature, as early as possible.
• Raise children in loving & wholesome nature-inspired environments.
• Teach the children in your life to respect nature.
• Teach children to reduce, reuse & recycle.

And so much more. Explore your resources, gain support and follow your heart!