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Spring's Budding Naturalist

© Teri Brown

We are having a natural moment in our home. Actually, it is more like a natural month… or two. My son, who has always been an outdoor enthusiast, has taken his passion to new heights. His Grandmother gave him a workbook called ‘Wolf Journey Part 1: Skills and Stories for the Naturalist by Christ Chisholm. This is the first in a series of books that you work through on your way to becoming a naturalist. After finishing the journal work of part one, you send it in requesting book two. Chisholm then studies your work and replies. You can also take classes at wolf journey or correspondence courses.

My son was thrilled with the whole idea and is excited about the possibility of taking classes or a wilderness quest at Wolf Journey sometime. Wolf journey is located in Washington and as we live Oregon, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility. For now I am just trying to get used to living with Daniel Boone.

He built his own secret place and I was privileged enough to get to help. I don’t know if this is because he thinks I’m such special person or because he didn’t want to do it all by himself! The secret place is used to sharpen your observation skills and learn how to be truly still. Now my son is pretty active and I was wondering if he’d really be able to stay out there for any length of time. Once again I underestimated my child. He has been out every day for weeks and comes back with the most amazing stories and observations.

He is learning much through his time spent observing nature. He’s developing a thoughtful side that pleases me very much and I can see his empathy for creatures growing as well. He has always loved nature and animals and that side of him has often been at odds with the side that wanted nothing more than to throw a rock at whatever moved. I can see the naturalist side winning more and more often now.

There are many programs out there similar to Wolf Journey. Having a naturalist moment can bring your child closer to our environment. Understanding our environment is half the battle in being good stewards of it.

www.wolfjourney.com

www.natureoutlet.com

www.hawkcircle.com

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