After a field trip to Huron Natural Area, many of the campers showed interest in the story walk provided throughout the park and trails. Even though we ran out of time at the park, we decided the following week to create our very own story walk to do within the community. Taking a book of interest, we separated the pages from the spine and folded each sheet into a numbered envelope before dropping them all into a bag. Once on a walk the campers decided a set number of one item we needed to walk past before stopping to open the next envelope in order. By the time we read each page, there were many theories of what would happen next, and most were excited to get to the next page!
Not only does an experience like this get children moving and active, but it allows them to use their memory and recall skills, sensory engagement, and even strengthening their focus and attention by incorporating a story this way. It turned reading into an adventure, making a book come alive through movement and exploration through the community and outdoor environment.
Moving forward it would be interesting to see how we can use these skills in a new way. Maybe by bringing notebooks or researching the area to write our very own story to turn into a story walk that encourages others to learn more about our community, and all of the things we can appreciate from the earth and world around us!
