Laughter and Learning on the Unnamed Path: A Nature Therapy Lesson in the Joy of Being

Gathering in the Circle

Seven wonderful students participated in my first Nature Therapy walk! We walked to the start of the unnamed trail and circled up for instructions and bug spray application!  Students had received written instructions to have appropriate footwear, warm clothes and bottled water!  We reviewed that the purpose of the walk was to name the trail and our plan was to stop for some alone time to think and reflect on our feelings. I handed each student a smooth rock and a few colorful markers for our art activity.  They were reminded not to eat anything, to stay silent during the independent time and to remain in their selected area until I returned to retrieve them and finish the walk.

We formed a circle and closed our eyes to center our thoughts, breath and being.  This took a couple of minutes as they were a little excited and needed to settle.  It’s a beautiful thing to watch this transformation, to see their stress turn to calm, their bodies quiet, their minds peaceful.

Nature Sets the Rhythm

The start of the walk was filled with the noises of chirping birds and happy children. I originally thought this would be a silent walk, but they were lighthearted and relaxed, and it felt appropriate.  Their behavior is so very different from what I see in the classroom, which is the reason I run the club.  I feel it is important for us to see each other in a stress free environment so we can get to know our real personalities, not just as teacher and student.

We stopped several times as students saw squirrels and snakes (which caused quite a commotion) and noticed trees and branches of funny shapes.  We shared our happiness as we watched two chipmunks playing in a tree together. When we neared the halfway mark, approximately twenty minutes in, I split the students off into their own areas of the property for their independent reflection time.  One student stayed with me because she was not comfortable alone (she was having a tough day because of circumstances not connected with the walk).  I gave her the task of collecting items that could be used as decoration during our rock ceremony, so she was able to move independently, but still see me at all times.

Moments of Wonder

I found a sitting place in the center and took a moment to myself to breathe.  I love this place, the sounds and smells are so alive and the air is just perfect. I knew my word and took a minute to decorate my rock. After a few moments, I wandered to each student and asked them, What words come to mind here?  How do you feel?  What do you see, hear, and smell?  I told them that once a word came to mind, to decorate their rock. This all took longer than I expected, but I gave them another ten minutes and slowly we all gathered back to walk to the end of the trail.  They were notably louder now.

We made our way to the fire pit area and students began setting up for the ceremony.  They were decorating the space around the fire, and one student found a salamander and built it a “tiny cabin”.  They all seemed young hearted and excited to share their experiences with each other.  I built a fire and got things ready for s’mores as they played in the area at the end of the trail.

The Trail That Named Itself

We were quickly running out of time, so we combined our discussion of trail names and marshmallow cooking!  A couple of girls were interested in coming up with a name, but most were not.  “Buzz Free”, “Love Buzz,” and  “Happy Buzz” were all contenders, but none of them really seemed to fit.  The student who saw the bee was really throwing a curveball into this process.  I tried to rein the group in and get them to focus, I thought, this is my final project, we need to come up with a great trail name!

Turns out, nature therapy walks do not have to go as planned to be successful.  They do not need to follow the expectations that I set as a guide, their purpose is to put people in nature, allow them to connect, breathe, and be.  I learned a lot on our “no name” trail from my 6th graders today.  Sometimes the answers are so simple. Am I missing the point when I focus on the outcome instead of the process? Is it always necessary to push for the goals I set or can I simply connect, breathe and be? This trail can continue without a name and serve as a reminder to consider the importance of the expectations that I set.

About Sherri

Sherri is a life-long Mainer who recently graduated from the Nature Therapy Guide Certification program at the Natural Wellness Academy. When she’s not teaching math and science, she co-owns and operates Tiny Cabins of Maine with her husband Joel, hosting guests on their beautiful 100-acre property in Whitefield. Their journey began in 2020 with building their first tiny cabin, and their love for creating outdoor experiences led them to expand to multiple cabins where visitors can connect with Maine’s natural beauty. Sherri is passionate about helping others discover the healing power of nature through both her certification work and the immersive outdoor experiences available at Tiny Cabins of Maine. Learn more about their cabins at www.tinycabinsofmaine.com.