YMCA BOLD & GOLD

While we love taking groups of young people out into the wilderness, it's important to find opportunities for nature connection back at home, too - the benefits just keep on coming! theguardian.com/society/2021/d…

“What we want to instill on trails is to start with kindness, then move to awareness, and the third piece is knowledge.” rei.com/blog/cycle/fin…

Trying to squeeze more nature connections into your day? Here are some ideas! today.com/health/eco-the…

"In many ways, winter is the best time to schedule a walk outdoors with scientists showing that a stroll on even a bitingly cold day can bring significant emotional and physical benefits." irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/heal…

In order to create a future where all people develop or strengthen a connection with nature, it's important to understand the past. cnn.com/2021/12/14/us/…

"As a species, we are hardwired to have an affiliation with the rest of nature. We need the rest of nature. When we don't get enough of it, we don't do so well." cbsnews.com/news/nature-me…

“What I really enjoy about the all-girl programming is the willingness and ability for the girls to fully express themselves and not conform to peer pressure of how they should be acting." duluthnewstribune.com/news/education…

Here are some recommendations for how to be more mindful and intentional when recreating on tribal lands: lnt.org/trekking-on-tr…

"Even as it climbs, the trail has a way of flattening certain differences: No matter what age you are & what life experiences you’ve had, you’re all experiencing the same thing in the moment, walking in the same direction and climbing the same mountains" backpacker.com/stories/essays…

Forest therapy is a way of practicing mindfulness in nature - something we incorporate into all of our BOLD & GOLD adventures! midlandtoday.ca/local-news/for…

Want to learn more about how a connection with nature can benefit young people? Check out this @mongabay podcast featuring @RichLouv: news.mongabay.com/2021/06/podcas…

Backpacking can generate lots of trash. We plan ahead to only buy what we need, buy food in bulk, ditch single-use items like cutlery, recycle what we can, and care for our gear so it lasts. What do you do to create less waste while on the trail? outsideonline.com/outdoor-advent…

Winter is a great time to cozy up in the kitchen and test drive recipes for next summer's trips. Here's one that sounds super tasty - home made fruit leather! adventure-journal.com/camp-recipes/h…

“This study highlights the importance of getting outside for adolescents...If you get them outside, they can develop that connection to nature, and that could help buffer them from declines in mental health.” news.ncsu.edu/2021/11/outdoo…

"Awe is what we feel when we encounter something vast, wondrous or beyond our ordinary frame of reference...and given its documented benefits, awe might be our most overlooked, undervalued emotion." One place you can experience awe? Outdoors! washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/on-p…

“For any queer person reading this, I want them to know that the outdoors is for them,” Pattie said. “Because of nature, I know that my queerness is natural and I hope that they can see that, too.” seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/…

Need a pick-me-up? Head outside! popsci.com/diy/eco-nature…

We hope that you have the opportunity to #OptOutside today at some point to experience all the benefits that nature can provide! rei.com/opt-outside

We are so thankful for the participants, families, staff, volunteers, trip leaders, and others who help create the magic that is BOLD & GOLD!

"This study highlights the importance of getting outside for adolescents...If you get them outside, they can develop that connection to nature, and that could help buffer them from declines in mental health.” futurity.org/nature-parks-y…