How wonderful to hold Hunting and Gathering as a valued activity! In an indoor classroom, I understand that teachers often find it a bit disruptive (sometimes more than a bit ;). I respect how teachers handle limiting such activity and why. However, at the same time, I’m excited that it is soooo appropriate OUTDOORS! I have students who will often collect the items they find special for their own play in the classroom, taking only parts of many different play materials leaving the activities with missing pieces for everyone else. Thank you, Victoria and David Sobel, for this enlightening insight. By nature, we are hunters and gatherers, and it will be my pleasure to help young and old minds to benefit. … And what fun!

For several years I’ve been working on what I refer to as my Retreet Project; developing and offering physical and virtual experiences guiding adults and children in deeper connections with nature. I feel everyone needs more nature, and now science too supports this. I am merging 2 of my passions: working with children (having decades of experience with children with disabilities) and my own passion for closer connections with nature for everyone. I particularly liked this workshop presenting Sobel’s nature principles for several reasons. First, these principles are not based on developmental age! Great premise for building inclusive activities that attract and engage adults and children with more diverse differences. As Victoria talked about Special Places, I immediately began to imagine watching a group of people in my forest with me, from toddlers to seniors/grandparents, with fabric and clothespins creating magic rooms, secret hideaways, whatever comes up… working/playing together!