The opening stanza of Joyce Kilmer’s Trees is a fitting start to this week’s blog. Earth Day occurs this week and that means a number of things to us. First and foremost – at Greystone House it means we will be outside as much as the weather allows. We love that and so do the preschool aged children we support. Second – it means we have an opportunity to reinforce an enormous number of the values we teach. While we promote frugality in the curriculum this week, we can think of about ten of the values we teach being worth mentioning. Finally – it means that our families have a reminder to get out and take advantage of the beauty that surrounds them. And believe it or not – there is a lot of it in the Houston area. What follows are some ideas of what you can do reinforce an appreciation for nature as well as get some quality family time in. There is no need to try them out just because it is Earth Day. These are good at a great many times during the year.

Go camping. There are a large number of State Parks and National Forests within easy driving distance. Beyond promoting togetherness as a family, camping presents opportunities to promote responsibility, self-reliance, humility, frugality, courage and collaboration.

Try nature viewing. You can live in Houston for 20 years and never get around to seeing all of the preserves that offer wildlife and nature viewing. Within an easy drive are Lake Houston Wilderness Park, Atwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, Big Thicket National Preserve, McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge, Anhuac National Wildlife Refuge, Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, Brazoria State Park, Huntsville State Park, and many more. There are opportunities here to teach honor, joy, justice, humility, peace, and compassion.

Tied to both of the suggestions above while requiring neither is hiking. We don’t mean strolling around the neighborhood (though please do that as well). Many of our State Parks and neighborhoods have trails that take you through some beautiful scenery and present lots of opportunities for wildlife viewing. Generally speaking – early morning presents the best chances to see something. Peace, humility, joy, and self-reliance are among the values that can be reinforced when walking around in nature.

Water, water all around and not a… Okay, we have plenty to drink and sometimes more than we want in our neighborhoods and houses. But the enormous amount of water around the Bayou City presents a huge number of opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature appreciation. Row a boat, float a raft, take a swim, fish, and navigate the surf (we have one of those really big bodies of water nearby as well). There are chances here to practice joy, collaboration, courage, Leadership, and self-reliance.

You can plant a garden, a tree, a flower, and anything else that grows. Just don’t plant yourself on the sofa. Joy, responsibility, self-reliance, humility, frugality, wisdom, collaboration, and peace are all easily taught. And sometimes you get the fun of eating what you plant.

We hope you take advantage of at least one of these suggestions this Earth Day. But please do not make Earth Day the only opportunity for outdoor activities. The opportunities for reinforcing values are huge. There is also more than a little to be learned and a lot of developmental practice as well.