Wednesday • September 08 • 2010

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Happy Trails

Nature Hike and the Beauty of Creation

By Tom Outcalt

Activity

Summer is a great time to take a youth group on a nature hike. Your group can take a simple hike, or you might choose to make a list of trees and wildlife that you'd like for the youth to identify during the outing. Have plenty of adult chaperones to help.

Trail hiking helps to form special bonds among teenagers. Consider beginning or ending the outing with a campfire cookout.

Before, during, or after the hike, your group might read and reflect on a Scripture that speaks of the beauty of creation (such as Psalm 104) or of getting away from the busyness of daily life (such as Matthew 13:13-23).

From Ready-to-Go School's Out: Youth Ministry Ideas for School Breaks and Summer Vacations by Todd Outcalt (Abingdon Youth 2009).

Preparation

Locate and gather information about a nearby hiking trail. Check with your local parks or recreation department to obtain a list of national, state, county, or city parks in your area that have hiking trails. Ask the parks for trail maps in advance.

Supplies

trail maps, copies of Scripture passages, pens, pocket-size notebooks, plenty of drinking water, food and other supplies for a cookout (optional)

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