Ask students to spend 30 minutes outside in a place they find beautiful. This could be a beach,
the forest, a trail behind their house, a pond, or anywhere where they can experience nature. If
there are woods or trails around your school, consider taking the class on a walk together.
Otherwise, assign this as a homework activity.

Once the students have found the place in nature that they will spend time in, they will complete
the following activity. You may copy and prepare the following as a student handout:
Look around you and take a few deep breaths. Slow your walking and remain
silent. As you walk, follow the steps below to help you notice and admire the
environment around you. Remember, this is not a race or a competition. Take
your time.

1. As you look around, what do you see? List five things that catch your
eye, taking time to really notice each of them.
2. What do you hear? Pause your walking and listen, listing four things that
come to your attention.
3. What can you feel? Reach out and touch the bark of a tree or the sand
beneath you. What does it feel like to your touch? List three feelings.
4. What can you smell? List two things that catch your attention.
5. What bodily sensations do you feel? Perhaps a shiver from the wind.
Maybe your feet are beginning to ache. List one sensation that you notice
within yourself, and then tend to it the best you can (such as putting on a
jacket or taking a moment to rest).

Now, take a moment to admire what you have noticed around you. What is
beautiful about your surroundings? Is there anything that surprised you? Do you
feel peace or clarity by taking a moment to connect with nature?
Ask yourself how you see, feel, or hear God in the environment around you.
What does he want to say to you? How has his glory and beauty been more
revealed to you through his creation?

When you are ready, say a prayer of thanksgiving, offering praise to God for his
glorious creation. Remember, too, that you are a part of his creation, made good
and beautiful in his eyes. As you pray, allow this reality to sink in, and thank him
for the gift of life that he has given you.

When students return to the classroom (either the next day with their completed homework
assignments or after the class trip altogether), lead a class discussion, encouraging students to
reflect on their experiences. Use the following questions and points to get started.

● Tell us about your experience in nature. How did it impact you?
● What location did you choose, and why?
● What was beautiful about the nature that you encountered?
● What did this experience make you feel?
● What did you notice first about the environment you were in?
● What surprised you?
● Was anything difficult about the exercise or experience?
● In your opinion, how are we as human beings connected to the rest of creation? Do we
have any sort of responsibility to care for creation? In what ways can we practically do
this?

Megan Neuman is an Editorial Curriculum intern at Ave Maria Press. She is a senior English major at Franciscan University.