10 Great Ways to Unplug and Tune In to Nature
As part of the National Wildlife Federation’s conservation efforts, the Great American Backyard Campout
aims to get kids outside and to connect people with nature, both near
and far. From stargazing on blankets and pillows on the deck to taking a
nature walk at dusk, no act is too small or insignificant.
On June 28 join the 200,000 people the NWF hopes will pledge to camp out for the 10th annual Great American Backyard Campout. It invites everyone to commit to spending one night — today, tomorrow or next year — outside and unplugged with family. Backyard camping is one way to get involved, but there are plenty of other ways to get outside too. “Keep it simple,” says Karoline Hurd, director of special events for GABC. Here are some ideas to get you started.
On June 28 join the 200,000 people the NWF hopes will pledge to camp out for the 10th annual Great American Backyard Campout. It invites everyone to commit to spending one night — today, tomorrow or next year — outside and unplugged with family. Backyard camping is one way to get involved, but there are plenty of other ways to get outside too. “Keep it simple,” says Karoline Hurd, director of special events for GABC. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Create your perfect campsite.
Set the stage for an evening of camping — for one night only. Whether
that means sleeping on an air mattress under the stars or pitching a
tent on the balcony, make the night special.
See more: Discover the Easy Adventure of Backyard Camping
See more: Discover the Easy Adventure of Backyard Camping
Watch what’s going on in your yard. While
we may camp out in the backyard once a year, butterflies and bees, owls
and bats, squirrels and foxes do it every night. Take a look at what’s
joining you in the backyard. See this as an opportunity to slow down and
really look at your yard and see how wildlife in your vicinity
contributes to overall habitat health. Research projects and
organizations that allow you to monitor and share the happenings in your
own yard.
See more: Be a Citizen Scientist to Help Wildlife, Learn and Have Fun Too
See more: Be a Citizen Scientist to Help Wildlife, Learn and Have Fun Too
Connect with neighbors. A
single gesture can spark or rekindle a friendship. Invite neighbors over
for s’mores or say hello during a walk through the neighborhood.
Personal relationships build stronger neighborhoods.
See more: The Art of Being Neighborly
See more: The Art of Being Neighborly
Have an impromptu party.
Let’s not wait until summer is half over to christen the backyard. Call
your friends, your roommates or your family and spend the weekend
together outside. Keep things simple and casual. Set up two sawhorses,
wood planks and some string lights for an outdoor dinner party. Order a
pizza or have everyone bring something. Whether or not everyone sleeps
outside, take a few hours to revel in the tastes and sounds of summer.
See more: 20 Ideas for Easygoing Summer Parties
See more: 20 Ideas for Easygoing Summer Parties
Plan to not have a plan. Give
your kids and yourself a big dose of unstructured playtime. Planned
weekend activities keep everyone entertained and on schedule, but
sometimes the most fun comes from the lack of an agenda. Unplug and try
not to worry about what’s on TV for one evening.
See more: Turn Off the Video Games and Turn On Your Kid’s Creativity
See more: Turn Off the Video Games and Turn On Your Kid’s Creativity
Show your kids around the yard. Have
fun showing your kids what you do outside all day. Whether it’s
harvesting tomatoes, raking fallen leaves, turning the compost or
choosing wildflower seeds to sow, seeing the process gives kids a stake
in the results. Who knows? You may find your new right hand.
See more: How to Cultivate a Young Gardener
See more: How to Cultivate a Young Gardener
Cool off. Give the air
conditioning a break for the afternoon and try to cool off in a more
passive way. If your climate permits, take a run through the sprinklers,
jump in the pool or put your feet in a fountain. You’ll beat the heat
while opening yourself up to the weather outside.
See more: Beat the Heat With Water
See more: Beat the Heat With Water
Build a bug box. Bees and
bugs are resourceful when it comes to where they live, but we can also
make things a little easier for them. Gather plant clippings and
leftover wood from your yard to build a backyard bug habitat for local
critters. This thoughtful craft project encourages everyone to ask
questions about who we share our ecosystems with and how we all fit
together in the big picture.
See more: How to Help Your Town’s Beneficial Birds and Bugs
See more: How to Help Your Town’s Beneficial Birds and Bugs
Move living outside. Reimagine
the patio as an outdoor living room. Turn the deck into the dining room
for the evening. Instead of watching TV in the evening, play charades.
If you like to eat around the coffee table in the den, sit around a low
table for dinner outside. While you don’t necessarily want to duplicate
indoor living outside, try to establish that same relaxed and
comfortable feeling.
See more: 10 Ways to Enjoy Your Outdoor Room More
See more: 10 Ways to Enjoy Your Outdoor Room More
