42 OUTDOOR EDUCATION
THE IMPORTANCE OF MEADOW SNIFFING BY BRUCE HENDRICKS, DIRECTOR OF OUTDOOR EDUCATION
We often think of the outdoors in terms of physical activity in the wilderness – running, hiking, paddling, skiing or climbing. But during the pandemic, it became abundantly clear just how important all kinds of ‘getting out’ are for our physical and mental health. Immersing our five senses in the natural world, not just wilderness, has an inexpressible yet very real effect on most of us – dangling our feet in a cool stream, watching the slow movement of clouds across the summer sky, listening to a bird Grade 9 backpackers with Ms. O’Neill.
song, marveling at the riotous colour of a newly emerging wildflower. I refer to these calming, renewing and perspectivegiving times as ‘meadow sniffing’. They are a much-needed balance to on the edge, ‘pinning it’ moments. For me, these may involve negotiating strenuous, technical moves on an ice climb; paddling an intimidating rapid; or having the realization there’s no turning back from a steeper-than-expected section of mountain biking trail.
