Nature’s Beginnings and Endings: A Message from the Outdoor Adventure Coordinator

Nature is a great many things. A giver, a taker; something to escape into, something to escape from; a source of endless wonder, and the home of the unknown. Of the many things nature is, many people nowadays seem to forget one of the most important ones: a teacher. Nature can teach us something about any subject we are interested in. Science and math are rooted in natural phenomena, historical events and the social sciences are affected heavily by the environment, and countless art forms and pieces of art include nature as a subject.

Nature also has a special way of teaching us on even some of the most abstract concepts. Spend enough time in nature, and outside distractions of the modern world fade away, allowing our minds a rare clarity. With a clear mind, we can observe our surroundings in a new way, allowing us to see meaning we may have previously overlooked.

Watching a butterfly feast on nectar while picking up the flower’s pollen, we can learn about mutual relationships and the benefits of helping others. Seeing a rabbit’s ears tense up when it hears our footsteps teaches us about presence and awareness. The constant changing of the seasons reminds us of the nature of cycles, and that all things have a beginning and an end.

As winter hits and we wait in anticipation of the inevitable heavy snows to come, many of us are probably looking back a few months when the weather was warm, the ground was green, and we were spending our time at our home-away-from-home. And just as Summer 2022 came and went, winter is having it’s turn, and when it’s over Summer 2023 will do the same. It’s often a tough fact to accept, but things must come to an end. But on the horizon, there’s always a new beginning waiting to start.

As my time on the Camp Chi Full-Time Team comes to an end this week, I’m thinking back on all the wonderful beginnings I’ve experienced over the past few summers. The start of The Outpost Village, a dedicated space to celebrate and experience nature in camp. The start of a new era of Outdoor Adventure in camp, with dedicated specialties and overnighters for all age groups. A restarting of PNW after time off from the pandemic, with an added emphasis on all the incredible nature within our own country.

Although my time at the helm of the outdoors at Camp Chi is coming to an end, I know that this is just the start of a more outdoors-focused camp that will continue to teach and benefit our community for generations to come. I’m excited for the future of Camp Chi, am honored to have been a part of it for a while, and thank everyone who has been there throughout my time, and taught me something along the way.

I’ll hope to see you out there, Camp Chi.

Jordan Goldberg, Outdoor Adventure Coordinator