Sept. 23, 2020 -- The hills are alive with outdoor programs!

 

In the last week we've had THREE outdoor programs for kids/youth/families. Feels so great to be reconnecting in this nice autumn weather!

9/23: GLEANING with Community Harvest of Vermont.

9/20: NATURE ADVENTURE GAMES for middle schoolers and OUTDOOR CHILDREN'S CHAPEL

Gleaning: We harvested about 200lbs of organic, nutrient dense Brussell sprouts this afternoon. They'll get distributed to nearly 30 food shelves and other free food sites in Central VT. The blessing was many fold--just the drive there was gorgeous, and then to get to visit while socially distancing and using our bodies for good work! And the hillsides all ablaze with color! The kids all noticed that they weren't tempted to eat the B.sprouts while they picked... unlike say... berry picking!

It seems we're often stumbling upon some silver linings of COVID, right? Well, for years we've been wanting to organize some outdoor service projects for families to do together. A way to connect with each other, with other families, with nature, and with our UU tradition of service. Because of COVID, gathering outdoors is really our safest option and nudged me to finally make it a programming priority! Big thanks to Jaiel of Kettle Song Farm in Worcester for letting us glean from her gorgeous field, Allison of Community Harvest of Central VT for coordinating the glean, and of course--the five families that came! Maizy and Beth; Graham and Emily; Avram, Lucia, Erin, and Jose; Kate and Julia (joined us from Front Porch Forum), and my own family--Marissa and Lincoln!

For the Middle School Nature Games, we were a small group of five, but so focused with our games of Camouflage and Coyote Deer that there was no time for pictures!

Outdoor Children's Chapel: We had 21 people join us for our first Outdoor Children's Chapel! Thank you so much to all who made it a special, connecting time together! We talked about balance for Equinox--balance of play and work, night and day, rest and active, outdoor time and indoor time. We also learned Spirit of Life in American Sign Language (since we can't sing together).

Next Outdoor Children's Chapel: Sunday, Oct. 4th, 2pm: Children's Chapel, 3pm: Service project (pumpkin carving for Enchanted Forest) at the New Shelter in Hubbard Park. (Youth Group pumpkin carving 1-2pm).