Changing with the Seasons

Posted by Madison Groeninger on February 02, 2022

One of the most powerful elements of immersing ourselves in nature is the freedom we have to match our pace to the pace of the season. Within our day to day lives, which typically include a 9am to 5pm work schedule (or 8am to 3pm school schedule), caring for a family, running errands, doing chores, balancing extracurriculars, upkeeping a home, and trying to fit some sleep in between all of that, it becomes quite difficult to feel as though we can ever change our pace of living.

Nature, however, can teach us to approach life in phases. In winter, nature tells us it is time to slow down. We watch as plants shut down, animals migrate or hibernate, the temperatures cool providing frosty evenings and mornings, and there are fewer hours of sun to light our days. The wilderness communicates to all that it is time to reflect and rest so we can prepare to blossom when spring arrives. It is a time to be mindful of the present moment, create goals for the coming year, and allow ourselves to just be in the stillness and silence of the season.

As the hours of daylight diminish and temperatures cool, the group’s life in the field naturally begins to take on a different tempo. When fall arrives and fades into winter, we spend more time focused on taking care of our basic needs—creating fire for extra warmth, ensuring our gear is dry and taken care of, building proper shelters, cooking nutritious food to fuel and warm us.

While we do most of these things year round, the quietness of winter gives us space to feel the significance of these actions. Each part of the day feels essential to caring for ourselves. We wake up in the morning and are eager to pack up our belongings so we can move into camp and enjoy breakfast by the fire as the sun crests the tree line and lights up camp.

There is a motivation to accomplish our tasks while daylight is available and be grateful for the light. We take extra time to prepare ourselves by ensuring we are wearing proper layers, warming water for ourselves, and moving our bodies in order to make sure we remain warm. We lean on filling our days with the “basics” of our program—cooking and eating, hiking, bow drilling to create fire, taking time to complete therapeutic assignments, and have groups to share and process.

Before we go to bed, we “winterize” camp. This includes moving the jugs of water, called blues, near the fire and insulating them from the group to ensure they do not freeze overnight. Students will fill up pots of water and place them on the coals of the fire so that staff can warm them in the morning. Through putting extra effort in before bed, we ensure that we are prepared first thing in the morning. This act displays the value of preparation. By “winterizing” camp, we are reminded that having the forward thinking to prepare, sets us up for success in the future. When we are groggy from just waking, we know we will have done the work the night before in order to care for ourselves.

During winter in the field, we take nature’s cues by slowing down the pace of our days and focusing on caring for ourselves. Year round, our program is based in introspection. Each year, we let winter serve as a reminder of the importance of creating the time and space for rest and reflection.