Quick Concept for Our Natural World

• Activity Plan for Our Natural World

Grabbing Your Group's Attention (20 minutes)

Your group will be going on a nature scavenger hunt. Rather than collecting objects, they will be listing ideas on paper. The hunt will help participants discover how much they have in common with the natural world and how the natural world influences their survival. This activity sets the stage for learning and embracing Leave No Trace.

• Begin the activity by conducting one of the following:
• An excursion to an outdoor setting such as a park, canyon, river, or desert
• An excursion to a natural setting via a slide show, color photographs, or posters
• A mind excursion where participants imagine their favorite natural setting
• A mind excursion where participants close their eyes while you describe a natural setting

The Activity

Give each participant a piece of paper and a pencil. Have participants make three columns with the headings "Things in Nature," "Things We Have in Common," and "How It Helps Me."

Have participants observe their environment physically if they are outdoors, or mentally if they are indoors. They must find objects in nature and tell what they have in common with each object. Make sure they consider less-noticeable things such as air, soil, and sun. Here's an example:

The Discussion

Have participants share one or more of their connections. Help them to discover that this personal connection is where a commitment to land stewardship begins. Land stewardship is the goal of Leave No Trace. Outline for them what they will be learning about Leave No Trace in the future.

Things in Nature	Things We Have in Common	How It Helps Me
TREE	We both have an outer layer to protect us (bark/skin).	A tree gives me oxygen.
SOIL	We both contain minerals.	Soil helps grow my food.
ANT	We both need shelter.	Ants loosen the soil.

Teaching Leave No Trace