Wander Wisdom #4 - Praying and Reflecting in Nature
Inventus Art Printable Prayer Hike Cards
Wander Wisdom #4 - Praying and Reflecting in Nature
Time spent reflecting in nature is never wasted. It has long been known in experiential education that bringing all sorts of academic subjects outdoors increases focus and retention and decreases stress in children and teachers. (You can read more about this in books like Last Child in the Woods.) The same is true for spending time praying outside alone or in groups. The green hues and gentle sounds of birds, bugs, and breeze sooth the screen-induced anxiety of everyday life. Whether praying the rosary together or seeking time alone as Christ often did, bringing reflection outside can make it easier for us to hear God’s voice in our hearts. When prayer and reflection outdoors are combined with the practice of nature journalling, it levels up the experience and adds a layer of meaning and personal connection. It can be hard to find ways to encourage children in their personal prayer lives and allow them to be alone in nature, especially the pristine nature of trails through the woods, when we also need to ensure their safety. This brings me to…
Hike Hack - Prayer Hike Cards
My new Prayer Hike Cards guides groups of adults and children through individual spiritual reflection that culminates in a nature journalling session. As a former environmental educator and program leader. Memories of leading “solo hikes” for school groups and family camps at CYO Camp Rancho Framasa inspired me to create my own set of “Prayer Hike Cards”. “Solo Hike” was an elective activity consisting of a series of about 40 laminated cards with pretty photos and quotes from saints that was meant to guide groups through personal reflection while on retreats. I always enjoyed leading the activity at camp and made my own, shortened and simplified version that I used when I lead our parish’s Little Flower Girls Club a few years ago. This summer, I went through my version and created hand-drawn illustrations for every card. I am happy to share the results with you and your family!
You can purchase a physical copy of my Prayer Hike Cards soon in my online store or print and laminate them now for free for your own use. The downloadable PDF attached below contains all of the instructions for using the cards, but I will be posting videos soon on Instagram and Facebook to better demonstrate how to use them. You can print and laminate a set of cards for your own use, but if others are interested please direct them to sign up for the “Discovered Newsletter” themselves to receive a their own printable file. Printed versions will be available in my online store soon for those who would rather purchase physical copies than assemble them themselves. I’m hoping that these cards become a game changer for your family’s outdoor recreation and spiritual life.