June NJ Club Update

Here is the summary for Montara's Nature Journaling Club's June 2025 meet:

1) Welcome and Icebreaker

2) Walk to spot

During the walk, we observed Twinberry flowers and noticed how they remind us of different things, listened to the Swainson's Thrush, smelled Queen Anne's Lace flowers, watched a Caterpillar, and touched Narrowleaf Clover flowers. I normally try to avoid letting people name species, though, since often when people ID a creature, they stop paying attention to it and move on. Instead, I encourage them to observe and experience the individual.
We stopped near the What3Words location "crunchy.founder.transcript".

3) Main Activity: Little Deer

I got this activity from a Field Instructor (June Bug) while I was a Cabin Leader at Walden West.
First, I made everyone make an observation as to how far they think they will be able to hear me speak at regular conversational volume.
Next, I explained the activity to everyone.
I had them turn around and face the ocean. They put their hands on their ears to be shaped like deer ears, facing towards me, so they could hear better.
I stood right behind them and said (in a regular speaking tone), "Little Deer, can you hear me?". Everyone who could hear me raised their hand.
I continued to do this, walking a few steps each time. Once everyone stopped raising their hands when I said "Little Deer, can you hear me?", I yelled to them "Turn around!".
Once they'd turned around, they could see how much farther away I was then they had previously hypothesized. (I remember participating in this activity at Walden West, and I was so amazed when I turned around and saw June Bug all they way on the other side of the field!).
I led a brief reflection, then transitioned into the next activity.

4) Nature Journaling Session

Now, I told everyone we were going to have a journaling session.
I asked everyone to meet back by 12:00 (by then I think it was around 11:45?).
I asked anyone who wanted guidance to stay behind with me so I could provide them with a prompt (I have index cards with nature journaling prompts on them). If they still don't know what to do, I had some other inspiring materials to provide (like sample journal entries, interesting natural objects, and quotes).

5) Wrap

At 12:00, we met back and sat in a circle.
Everyone who wanted to share could share, and anyone who did not want to share did not need to.
I always go first to be an example. I emphasize what observations I made and what details I added in my notebook. I also mention that the end result in the notebook is not what matters - only the experience.
Next, we continue aroudn the circle letting everyone share for a minute or two.
After sharing, we packed up our stuff and I thanked everyone for coming. I also ask everyone to search for any trash we may have left behind.

6) We walked back toward the trailhead and were there by 12:30, as promised.