On an early on a Saturday morning this past April, 13 Girl Scout kids (including 2 brothers, a tot sister and a newborn) and 13 grown ups packed up our cars, vans, jeeps and trucks and headed south to the Santa Cruz mountains. Up winding roads, without cell phone or gps reception, we found our way to a gem of state park, Little Basin, that was so close to civilization yet felt so very far away. It was a peaceful, picturesque camping trip that feed the heart and soul.
During our time, the girls played, hiked, went on ranger hikes, helped cook meals and overall had a blast. We splashed in a river and went exploring for amphibians (we found several types of species). We sang campsongs over a fire, while enjoying the classic campfire treat, S'mores! A Sunday morning hike found us crossing over logs and creeks. We saw rare wildflower and a thousand year old redwood.
My intention for the camping trip was a simple but lofty one. Being out in nature, learning to feel comfortable amongst trees and critters is crucial for one's mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. In our fast paced worlds, with kids having to plan playdates and learning about life on tablets, turning off, tuning out and tuning into the natural world is just plain good for us all. When we learn to slow down and listen, is when we can then move forward in the world more confident, balanced and stable. And that is what we are doing in the Girl Scouts; guiding and teaching girls these crucial aspects of life so they can go out, follow their heart and lead the world doing good.
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