The Gatekeeping of the Outdoors

There is a worrying trend that I have noticed lately. Since relocating to Seattle, I have had the phenomenal opportunity to explore the Pacific Northwest. It has been spectacular beyond belief and I have been able to see some natural beauty that was beyond my wildest imagination. Check out this picture from a hike that was relatively close to Seattle:

                                                                    Snow Lake, September 2019

As you can see, this is an area that is ripe with adventure. Access to hikes in the Cascades is one of the biggest draws to this region. However, one thing I have noticed is that more and more, it seems that there is an invisible gatekeeping that has started to surround pursuing outdoor adventures. The growth of outdoor companies such as The North Face, REI, and L.L. Bean has led to an increase in awareness for the greatness that is spending time outdoors. However, I have a concern that the rise of these companies may also be excluding those who are less fortunate from outdoor pursuits. Let’s look at the price of what my hike would cost if I bought my supplies from one of these outdoor companies:

Item	Picture	Price
Northwest Forest Pass		$30.00
Jacket		$69.73
Hiking Boots		$94.73
Pants		$55.73
Socks		$8.73
Hat		$25.00
Hiking Day Pack		$55.93
Yak Tracks		$19.95
Water Bottle		$6.75
Hiking Sticks		$49.73
Trail Food/Snacks		$7.00
	Total:	$416.28

This list does not even account for the costs of transportation (gas is >$3!) and other essentials that I may have forgotten. As you can see, if you were to deck out to go hiking in the gear these companies suggest, the cost would be astronomical. By the way, this list was created using gear that was on sale, most of which was offered at outlet prices. There were many options out there for which you could easily pay much, much more.

I want to acknowledge that you do not need to buy all these things to go hiking. When I go on hikes though, I tend to see a lot of hikers using this kind of gear. I worry that if everyone’s image of hiking is that they need a cool outfit to get the most out of their hike, it will keep people who can’t afford that gear from trying it out. What is starting to get perpetuated is a myth that enjoying the outdoors is only for those with money. Social media, such as Instagram, is only helping further this divide.

Speaking of Instagram, did you know this blog has an Instagram account? Follow @allthingsnaturalist on Instagram to follow along on some of the cool outdoor adventures I have been having. And don’t worry, I promise I won’t be perpetuating any myths that you need nice stuff to enjoy the outdoors. Awesome nature photos only! [/end shameless plug]

What I hope people take from this post is that you don’t need expensive gear to get outdoors. While marketing teams for outdoor companies may want you to believe that that the opposite is true, a lot of the gear I listed can be swapped for more affordable options. I hope you enjoy the fall weather and remember: If you want to make a difference, get outside!

Transitions

My journey as an environmental educator has included extensive work in the summer camp realm. Having spent ten summers working at various camps, I have grown to love pretty much every aspect of the summer. However, one in particular stands out as my favorite: campfires. I have hosted my fair share of campfires and without fail, I find that segues are the key to a successful program. Often some quick thinking from the emcee is needed to keep things going smoothly. Sometimes it goes brilliantly and sometimes things can be a bit corny, like this:

[Finish up a skit about a Wacky Candy Shop Owner]

"That skit was CRAAAZY! If only there was someone that could have REELed that guy in..."

[Cue Fishing Song] (groan...)

You get the idea.

What does this have to do with environmental education? Transitions can allow an educator successfully utilize their flexibility to deliver a meaningful lesson. By not including transitions in your lessons, you are essentially a putting yourself into a figurative traffic jam: one continual stop and go. Educators should strive to interweave each activity of a lesson together to create a cohesive entity. Smooth transitions between each activity can allow the lesson to feel seamless to your students. This, in turn, will help immerse the students in learning. The better you get at this, the better you will find that the students engage and enjoy their experience in nature.