Blog

You don’t have to go to a campsite to go camping. This weekend, set up a tent in your own backyard. Putting up a tent together helps encourage listening skills, cooperation, and teamwork. Your kids will enjoy hanging out in the tent during the day and the adventure of sleeping in the tent at night.  …

You’ve probably heard about composting and some of its benefits, but what exactly is composting? When you compost, you are gathering organic materials that will later be added to the soil. Almost anything that comes from the ground can be composted: vegetable and fruit scraps as well as stales grains such as bread, cereal, and …

You don’t have to get up quite as early to do this now! With Daylight Savings Time, our clocks have moved forward an hour. Set your alarm and slip outside to see the sunrise. You can find sunrise times in your area HERE. 

This week, get friends or family together and go on a group bike hike! Look online to find the bike trails in your city. If you don’t have a bicycle of your own, check to see if there are places in town where you can rent one.  Below are some safe riding tips to follow …

It’s the first day of spring! It may not be a typical spring season, it’s still important to get outdoors. During these days that seem uncertain and challenging, spending time in nature not only helps fight anxiety, but it offers many other health benefits as well.  You can find out more here.  Below are some …

This week, get your gear and head outside to pick up some litter. It can be from a section of park or your own neighborhood. Be sure to take necessary precautions before and during the clean-up. This page from the Willistown Conservation Trust has tips for keeping everyone safe.    Photo by cheriedurban

Have you ever wondered how animals stay warm when it’s so cold outside? One way mammals stay warm is by developing thick coats for the season. Fur traps air, creating a layer of insulation between the cold air and the animal’s skin. The thicker (and oiler) the fur, the better it insulates. Do you use …

Is the weather getting warmer where you live? Then head outside and do some cloud watching! Take a blanket, spread it out, lay down, and enjoy the fresh air and fluffy clouds. You can find shapes in the clouds, be inspired by the clouds, or just enjoy the clouds.  You can even figure out what …

Get crafty this weekend! Head outside and find some smooth rocks  — any size will do! Then set up a painting area, and get started!  Here’s what you need:    Smooth rocks Acrylic craft paints in a variety of colors Brushes Containers with water for cleaning the brushes Paper towels Disposable plate Newspaper   Here’s …

Outdoorosity is creating a special (and timely) de-stress kit! As part of the kit, author Jo Watson Hackl presents this video to help you create your own woods time to feel more calm and relaxed. You can download printable instructions HERE.      

If someone were to ask you to name an animal that hibernates, you’d probably say “a bear.” But for many years, some people did not consider them true hibernators. When animals such as chipmunks and ground squirrels hibernate, their body temperatures drop drastically. A bear’s body temperatures does not decrease nearly as much. And, unlike …

It’s almost Valentine’s Day!. This week, head outside with a camera or cell phone and find some hearts in nature!   Photo by keencarlene   Photo by pippalou     Featured image by pippalou

Some people experience the “winter blues,”  a feeling of sadness or depression that can come with the shorter, colder days of winter.  If you’re feeling low, here are some seasonal activities to try as you wait for the sunnier months:  Try remixed snow art: Add color to your snowman or snow angel with spray bottles …

Depending on where you live, you may see a lot less wildlife during the winter months. Insects have either gone into a dormant state or died off. Some mammals hibernate. Reptiles and amphibians go into a state of brumation. Many birds migrate to warmer areas.  But there is still wildlife around. This weekend, go on …

During these uncertain times, you may be feeling anxious or overwhelmed. Did you know that nature can help you de-stress? That’s why Outdoorosity is creating a special (and timely) de-stress kit! As part of the kit, author Jo Watson Hackl presents this video to help you discover things you can do in the evenings to …

What would you do if you had an invitation to see a sunrise off the Blue Ridge Parkway? Last fall, I received just such an invitation from some friends, so I jumped at the opportunity. Waking up at 4:15 in the morning was harder than I that it would be, but I managed to roll …

During the winter months, the birds in your yard will appreciate an extra food supply. You can purchase a feeder or make your own. Here are some ideas to try:   Here are some ideas to try: Milk Carton Bird Feeders  Teacup Bird Feeders  Pinecone Bird Feeder  Planter Dish Bird Feeder  Lego Bird Feeder      …

Nature journaling isn’t just for the warmer months! If you don’t already have a nature journal, you can make one with just some printer paper and a few staples. Simply fold it in half and staple it down the side. Then head outside and start drawing!  Not sure what to include in your journal? Click …

Take out those nature journals (or just some paper) and draw some winter trees. Because there aren’t many leaves, it’s easy to see the tree trunks and branches. You might draw a close-up of the bark, the roots, or a branch. It’s a good time to study the shapes of various trees, too.   

For many of us, 2020 will be remembered as one of the most difficult and challenging years, and we’re happy to see it go. Yet while we can’t always control the situations or circumstances we have to deal with, there are things we can do to find some stress-relief — including heading outside! Even small …