by Austen Petersen, Director of Religious Education
WUUs of all ages attended a half day program at Jamestown 4H on Sunday May 1, 2022.
This intergenerational group of over 20 folks enjoyed the low ropes course, team building exercises including name games, fishing from the dock, the gaga pit, and topped off the day with s’mores.
Why go outdoors? According to Outdoor Canada:
When children play outside, they can also enhance their mental well-being, developing their sense of self, and feeling soothed by nature. It can provide opportunities for learning that aren’t available indoors, including physical literacy and spatial knowledge. (2022. Outdoor Play Canada. Louise de Lannoy.)
How is the outdoors Unitarian Universalist? Taking note of the writing of the Reverend Tandi Rogers:
- Outdoor classrooms are the perfect multigenerational lab for teaching environmental, congregational and community stewardship utilizing our 7 principles.
- Outdoor classrooms offer sacred spaces to not only honor, but also teach, our 6 sources. As UUs we draw from a rich and varied tapestry of sources and the great outdoors is the perfect canvas to highlight the beautiful traditions each of them contribute.
In addition to all this, being together outdoors was plenty of fun, and the s’mores around the campfire helped bond the group and seal the intention of the day: togetherness.
A big thank you to everyone who participated!