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It’s so easy to snap a picture. You don’t even need to carry a camera – a cell phone, tablet, or iPad will do the job just fine. If you like to take photos, you’ve probably got a growing collection of pictures of friends, family, events, and selfies. But have you ever thought of capturing …

I’m not really scared of snakes, though they sometimes surprise me by seeming to appear out of nowhere. Over the years, we’ve found a number of black snakes in our yard; they’ve been in our chicken coop, in our driveway, even in my mother-in-law’s house! There have been enough of them that we began to …

  We love thinking of ways to celebrate each season.  Here’s what we’re looking forward to trying this Fall.  Let us know if you try them!     You’ve tried a leaf pile. This Fall, try a leaf maze or labyrinth. We’d love to see pictures of your designs. Make smores with a solar oven. …

You may be thinking, “What 29 year old spends her Saturday afternoon building a solar pizza oven?” Well, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Leigh Ann, I love crafts, I love a theme, and I love to eat. I work for Duke Energy as a Public Relations Associate and I’m tasked with educating …

Here are some fun ways you can welcome summer: 1. Make sure to get yourself to the path of totality for a once-in-a-lifetime total eclipse on August 21st. Learn all about the Great American Eclipse here. 2. Goat yoga is the latest craze. We give you permission to cave to temptation and check it out! …

This is going to be a milestone summer. This is the first summer in which both my girls will attend sleep-away summer camp. The first word that explodes in my mind is “freedom” — for them and me. As excited as I am to have some time to tackle a few projects at home, to …

I love nothing more than combining multiple good things. Perhaps it’s a product of being born into the millennial cohort or perhaps it’s the fact that I want too strongly to “do it all” within the confines of a “standard American adult schedule”, but when possible, combining things has become my default setting. A luncheon …

           1. Spring flowers and bulbs are starting to bloom. Celebrate the season by playing bloom bingo. Learn how here. 2. Hurray! The time has changed and the days are getting longer. Spend the extra hour (and more!) of daylight outdoors. Some of our favorites: disc golf, geocaching, and playing hide …

If the optimism with which you began your New Year’s resolutions has met the solid reality of limited time, limited energy, and limited resources, you might be wondering if this really can be the year in which you feel better and have stronger relationships. But take heart. One simple rule has helped our family in …

September 22 marked the official start of autumn. This year, however, I don’t feel as though it officially arrived until early November. My family and I ushered in autumn while we were at the beach this past weekend. I love the beach in autumn, far more than the other seasons. Most people would agree that …

I noticed her bulbous form, striking colors and lean legs in my front garden bed. She had just trapped a large bumblebee in her web and was swiftly wrapping it up in silk. My first reaction was to take a step back, as if she was going to jump from her web to suck the …

Starting a new school year is a great time to reprioritize through establishing routines.  Here are some suggestions for incorporating outdoor time into your semester. 1. Walk or ride your bike to class as much as possible. You’ll get some quality time outdoors, while creating space to process and digest your day. 2. Grab some …

1. As soon as you tumble out of bed, go outside for a few minutes and let the sun’s rays help wake up your brain. 2. If possible, eat breakfast outdoors or with a window open. Let the sounds of nature set the tone for a peaceful, productive day. 3. On the ride to school, …

This summer, in addition to interning with Outdoorosity, I am interning at the Peace Center for the Performing Arts in Greenville, South Carolina, helping with its continuing education program for teachers. As a teacher-in-training, I welcome the opportunity to interact with teachers and learn more in my field. The work is invigorating, educational and inspiring. …

It still unbelievable to me that this time last year I was over 8,000 miles away and on the other end of the world, New Zealand, to study my passion: education. I do not think I fully understood this trip’s impact on me until I have had time to reflect over it this past year. …

1. Go kayaking! And check out these five reasons why you should take the kids with you. 2. Stargaze. Put these summer dates on your calendar. 3. Pick some fruit and make a cobbler. 4. Try tie dying with dye made from plant matter. 5. Use these tricks to attract fireflies to your yard. 6. …

Picture this – a group of second graders collects caterpillars and eggs on milkweed and other flowers in an outdoor butterfly garden. Inside the classroom they’ll watch them develop and change, learning about habitats, metamorphosis, and the life cycle. A few weeks later they will release adult butterflies, watching in wonder as colorful wings beat …

On the days I get home before dark (and often accompanied by a flashlight even after dusk) I take a walk in my yard and admire the plants and the mountains and the sunset and my goats. Lately, these walks have resulted in lots of pictures. Sometimes I’m so in awe of the plants and …

Spring comes each year with a predictable rhythm. Are your children or students feeling the drumbeat of its approach? Rather than letting spring fever take over, channel their excitement into observation of the outdoors. If you have a consistent commute with kids in the car, begin by pointing out the blooming flowers, shrubs, and trees …

Help the Monarchs by planting Milkweed in your yard.  Learn about varieties that work best in your region and how you can become a Monarch Waystation from Monarch Watch. Skip rocks. See if your community has a bike parade and join the fun.  If not, consider organizing one for your neighborhood. Make a rain chain …