Nature Studies
Phoenixville, PA
**Turn off the box and come out for a walk.**
For over 50 (yikes) years I've been been teaching folks what wild plants are good for - food, medicine, tools, entertainment, staying warm, survival, joy, etc. I'm now expanding Nature Studies to a more global experience of how to be outdoors. I will continue to do the herb/tree/fungi/ thing. With the New and Improved! version, friends and I will teaching about cutting tools, navigation, being quiet, being loud, making fire, geology, weather, personal awareness, water, bugs, birds and critters, play, building fire, trapping, mindfulness, basket weaving, building shelter, tracking, primitive health care, stalking, tracking and more. We will explore new places and return to familiar paths to see how the change of weather, moon phase, seasons and human activity modifies life. We've spent a lifetime learning how to survive in the modern world. This will be an opportunity to learn how to be safe in nature.
For the last few years I've taken a hiatus from my Meetup weed walks. I moved to Phoenixville area where I did the COVID isolation dance, family dance, built my private psychiatric (NP) practice. For decades I've been talking to students and clients about the healing nature of nature and the detrimental effects of our techno-culture. Social media is picking slowly up on this, be it in reference to outdoor play inhibiting childhood myopia or the emotional and cognitive enhancement from being outdoors. For decades I've witnessed the depression, disassociation, family conflict, and social isolation our culture promotes. I've seen how being cut off from the natural world has made people oblivious to our degradation of the natural world. Now semi-retired, it seemed to me I might do more good helping by preventing the emotional, cognitive, physical plagues by getting folks reconnected to our natural home.
Nature is my home, church, teacher, security blanket, and playmate and I can share this with you. So whether you want to keep self and family healthy, have some fun, meet outdoorsy people, learn new stuff, expand awareness and/or prep for SHTF, come on out. Engage and enjoy.
Be aware, anything you touch or put in your mouth may cause you to be sick or die. Anything a child eats or does or does not do is the responsibility of the accompanying adult. Kids dehydrate easily, bring them beverage. We will be mostly outside where we may be cold, hot, thirsty, bug bit, and cranky. You or your kids could get injured. (You are probably more likely to get hurt in a car accident on your way, but be prepared. Nature is fickle ).
Be prepared with bug spray, water, and any medicine you might need. I almost always have a knife with me, a very useful tool! Wear clothing fit for changeable weather, dress in layers, wear solid shoes. There are rocks and roots to trip on and break bones. I will do my best to say in advance how difficult or easy an outing will be, or if it's wheelchair accessible but no guarantees. Do not come if you are infectious, high, angry or otherwise incapacitated. People behaving inappropriately or dangerously will be asked to leave.
Any questions or lost on your way? My cell # is 610-324-8490.
Hugh Brenner
