It's hard to believe the end of summer is upon us, and with it the usual mix of emotions - melancholy, longing, and anticipation. My husband and I are both teachers, so the emotions stirred up by September's imminent approach are especially powerful - anxiety about getting back to the busyness and stress of work, gratitude for all the amazing family memories we created, and, yes, even excitement about the new school year.
But the waning days of summer also make possible the new beginnings of fall. And so it is with Into the Wild Family Nature Club. After a hiatus this summer I am excited about starting fresh and with a new approach to the Nature Club this September.
In recognition that families are busy and that not everyone is prepared to make a big commitment Into the Wild Family Nature Club will be getting more - let's just say laidback this fall. To begin with events will happen less frequently, about once a month. I say "about" because there will not be regular days or times for meeting. Hopefully this will provide opportunities for families who might otherwise have scheduling conflicts to come check us out when they are able. It will also let us plan events to coincide with other happenings in the community.
We'll also be getting the word out in a whole new way - an email newsletter. We will let people on the email list know about upcoming events about a month in advance and then send out a reminder closer to the meeting date. If you are anything like me, a jogging of the memory and a little encouragement can go a long way. To sign up for the newsletter just drop me a note at bakota@telus.net and I'll add you to the list.
For those of you who like to plan ahead, the next meeting of Into the Wild Family Nature Club will take place at Oyster River Nature Park on Saturday, September 26th. There will be more details to follow.
We hope the new approach encourages more families to come out and join us as we continue to explore this beautiful region. Summer may be almost over, but the opportunities for family fun outside are just beginning.
We hope to see you on the trails!
