For a very long time, I've struggled with how to implement Nature Study.  It seemed like such a daunting task, packing up four kids, driving somewhere to find "nature," keeping the nature out of the baby's mouth. 

And where to go?  I'm a 'fraidy cat by nature.  Maybe it's my own nature, maybe it's having grown up in a big scary place labeled "The Murder City" the whole of my growing up years.  Whatever the reason, I have this unhealthy fear of being alone in "nature," fear of the unknown, fear of predators -- human and otherwise. 

A few weeks ago, I had a lightbulb moment.  I was driving out of my small subdivision via a route I usually don't take when I realized that the paved road ends and a dirt road continues.  That dirt road goes on and on -- through THE WOODS!  Following the RIVER!   WOW!  There is actual NATURE within a block of my house!  And I never realized it until three weeks ago. 

We spent two and a half weeks battling the flu.  Today was the first day that everyone is well and itching to get out of the house.  So I made a quick decision:  No school work this morning!  Nope, we're going on a Nature Walk!  Right in our own neighborhood!  I rallied the troops.  Everyone was dressed and shoes found and on feet.  We pulled the double stroller out of the garage and buckled the youngest two in it.  

And we were off!  I admit, I felt uneasy at first, as we passed around the gate the separates the paved road from the dirt road.  There was no sign indicating such, but I felt like I was trespassing:  Trespassing on Nature.  

The kids were thrilled.  What an adventure!  We had stepped no more than two yards into Nature when my oldest daughter made her first real discovery:  DEER TRACKS!  A block from our house!   Then we came to a steep uphill incline which forked into two directions, reminiscent  of Robert Frost's poem:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Fortunately for us, we can choose the other road next time we go on a nature walk.   Today, we stuck to the path that follows the river.  What a delight, peeking through the naked trees to see the water flowing to our left.  Every time they caught sight of the water, the kids were thrilled!  They were beside themselves with glee when they discovered a place where we could walk right up the bank above the river.  They absorbed the gurgling sound of the flowing water.  They tossed sticks to the dog, who showed her Labrador side by eagerly retreiving stick after stick out of the water.

They observed the evergreens amid the "dead" trees all around.  How fun it will be to watch this wood come to life in the next couple of months! 

Several places the girls studied with great interest.  Those arched branches with vines wrapped round, perhaps, could truly be a fairy portal.  Yes, these spots will be studied carefully in the coming months, hoping for a glimpse into Fairy Land.

We were gone for an hour, ambling about the road through the woods. 

It wasn't a true Charlotte Mason Nature Walk, perhaps.  I, in my eagerness to be part of Nature, pointed out as much as the children did.  I'll get better at masterly inactivity as we go along!

But I think it was a successful first venture out into Nature!  And so much easier than I had ever imagined.....just steps from my own front porch!

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Posted by Jilann

Your nature walk was inspiring! This is an area that I am definitely lacking in. I keep thinking I'll get to it, but it's very easy for me to put off. You have encouraged me to give it a more serious effort. I know that it will beneficial for all of us. But, I am not a real outdoor person. I enjoy being out when I'm out. But, I could be inside doing all the many things I need to do and not feel any guilt. However, I know this is an important part of the homeschool process that I really want to implement. We've been bombarded with snow the fast few weeks, so I can't say it's been high on my list to make happen :).

Edited by Jilann on Feb. 9, 2008 at 4:50 PM

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Posted by Anonymous

Very Cool !! Sounds like you had fun. My children would LOVE to find a deer track. jessica in So. Fl.

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Posted by JandRlearnathome

Very cool!! I'd be too scared to venture into our woods without a guide... scared of alligators and snakes, oh my! I'd love to walk through some real woods though! :)

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