How to have fun in nature

How to Have Fun in Nature

Sometimes it can feel hard to get out of your comfort zone and spend time in nature.  Maybe you tried it and got rained on or it was buggy or you had the wrong shoes.  

But time in nature can be so healing and amazing!  Here is what some past Eagle Eye participants have said:

Avens

“Eagle Eye is pretty good because we get to do stuff outside. It's fun because you get to go outside and learn stuff.” -Avens, 13

“It's just really impacted me about how I get to learn about nature, and that it was really beautiful, and it's just a good experience overall.” -Sophia, 12

Sophia
Jacob, 11

"Eagle Eye is fun because we learn about the outdoors and learn to use different materials to make fire." --Jacob, 11

  • "I thought going outside with Eagle Eye was a really good, fun experience." --Mia, 13

Here are some tips to have the most fun and learning when you spend time in nature, whether it is with your friends and family or by yourself:

Hiking gear (royalty free image)

Trail Tips

    • Wear sturdy shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty
    • Bring a friend if you don’t know the area well
    • Bring lots of snacks and water
    • Take a trail map or a photo of it - don’t assume that you’ll have cell service
    • Stay on marked trails

 

Trail map (royalty free image)
    • Be respectful of nature- pack out what you pack in, don’t drop trash
    • Check the weather to help you know what to wear
    • Bring a rain jacket, umbrella or poncho even if you don’t think it will rain (you can use a trash bag in a pinch)
Hiker with warm layers (royalty free image)
    • Wear layers in case you get too warm or cold
    • If you can, wear clothes that are NOT cotton, especially if you think it might rain.  Sports shirts are a good choice, or anything wool or polyester.  (Cotton is OK if the weather is warm and sunny.)

Here are some other resources for you or your family to learn how to be safe and prepared on a nature trip:

https://americanhiking.org

https://www.hipcamp.com/journal/camping/top-10-hiking-tips-for-beginners

Helpful Apps

These apps can enhance your outdoor adventures!  All of them are FREE or have FREE VERSIONS.

iNaturalist logo
iNaturalist – Identify plants, animals, and fungus (like mushrooms) by pointing your camera.
PictureThis logo
PictureThis – Focuses on plants only, but gives you lots of detail about their health and care
Alltrails-logo
AllTrails – Want to go hiking/walking but don’t know what’s nearby? AllTrails will tell you - including how hard the trail is, directions to the trailhead, distance, and user reviews.
Merlin Bird ID logo
Merlin Bird ID – Identify birds by sound or sight.

Gear Guide

Hiking gear photo (royalty free)

If you need the right clothes, shoes, or other gear to get out in nature, try one of these places:

  • Thrift stores like Goodwill often have great outdoor clothing and gear at very low cost
  • Stores like Walmart, Target, and Dick’s Sporting Goods can often have what you need, but make sure they are really good quality (for instance, sometimes they sell jackets that look waterproof but really aren’t)
  • If you are getting serious about longer trips, maybe even overnight, check out these tips and hacks from Appalachian Mountain Club
  • If you want to try backpacking or camping but you’re not ready to buy equipment, you can rent everything from tents to cooking stoves at lowergear.com