Mental Health Nature Journal Club
“Part of the lure of keeping a journal is the world you enter when you open it. Working in it sets up an island of quiet and deliberateness to which you will long to return.”
—Hannah Hinchman
Nature Journaling Club is one of the very first environmental education programs I began teaching. Our family began homeschooling in 2011 and nature journaling was something we incorporated into all of our outdoor adventures. In 2014 I decided to begin a club in Atlanta, GA to inspire more families to get into nature journaling. It was one of my most successful clubs and there were some meetings where I had over 40 kids in attendance.
This nature journal club though is a bit different though and will be geared towards older children (age 16+) and adults who are looking to improve their mental health. On November 7, 2022 a tragedy struck and my 2 teen children passed away in a car accident. Nature journaling has been one way I have worked through my grief. I always knew nature journaling was a powerful way for connecting with the natural world, but I never knew how therapeutic it could be and how it could help me with my anxiety, depression, PTSD and grief. I want to share this coping method and what I have learned with others that may be stuggling with grief and mental health issues. We will still offer our traditional nature journal club for families too.
Mental Health Nature Journal Club will meet once a month on Saturdays for one hour. Though we encourage people to stick around and go on a hike or just spend time together. No previous nature journaling skills are required.
Each month we will do a hands on nature journaling/observation exercise to connect us to the natural world. These activities will build foundational journaling skills and get participants excited to keep journaling. Activities will also introduce techniques that participants can include in their journaling.
*Drawing is not required...if you or your teen prefers to write and/or take photos that is also an option for keeping a nature journal.
This club will be a relaxed setting where participates will be encouraged to explore the natural world as they learn to make observations, ask questions, and make connections. It will provide a great way to improve mental health, develop a closer connection with nature, build a community and support system around sketching outdoors, introduce people to natural areas, inspire sharing of ideas and resources, and promote stewardship.
Leonardo da Vinci wrote, “To develop a complete mind, study the science of art. Study the art of science. Develop your senses—especially to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.”
Cost:
As of now this class will be free so that they are accessible to everyone.
Materials You Will Need:
-Nature Journal (included)
-Pencil
-Colored Pencils, Watercolors, Crayons, etc (we will have materials to borrow too)
Location:
All classes will take place in North Phoenix at the Barrier Free Nature Trail/Bullfrog Pond which is off of the 101 and N. Tatum.