The benefits of spending time in nature are countless and well researched. Increased mood, reduced anxiety, boosted immune system, better sleep, and increased levels of exercise are all associated with access to green spaces. Apart from the mental and physical health benefits, getting outside is one of the best ways to explore your community, connect with others, and even find creative inspiration. Here in Central PA, we are lucky to be connected to such abundant parks and other green spaces, both within our urban landscapes and among the beautiful forests and fields that surround us.

Unfortunately, not everyone has been able to realize these connections. Cost of gear, transportation, education about the outdoors, general comfort level, and so many more factors can all be barriers to access, especially among people of color, low-income families, and other marginalized groups. With the 3Dots Awesome Grant, I’d like to bring a new resource to our community that will help lessen those barriers for folks who are ready to discover all the benefits that our parks, forests, and fields have to offer.

Schlow Library already offers a selection of activity kits at no cost to members with a library card. My proposal is to assemble a selection of Nature Exploration Backpacks that Schlow can add to their offerings to give children and adults alike the tools to venture into our local green spaces and connect with the outdoors in new and exciting ways.

Each backpack will focus on a different theme to guide folks’ curiosity. The themes we’ve chosen are: birdwatching; insects and bugs; tracks, scats, and signs; plants, flowers, and trees; and nature journaling. Each backpack will include a variety of field guides, educational materials for both adults and children, tools for hands-on learning, and a resource guide of local parks and tips for enjoying the outdoors. Duration of the rentals and other programmatic details will be determined by Schlow.