In spring 2020, youth participated in Virtual 30-Minute Nature Challenges with YES. Check out the challenges below!
Every weekend, youth will be challenged by Emma, a YES staff member, to go outside for 30 minutes AND complete her weekly challenge! All of these challenges will use very few (if any) material and can take place ANYWHERE (parks, backyards, sidewalks, playgrounds, etc. so long as it’s outside).
On Fridays at noon, the weekly challenge video will be posted here and will walk everyone through the task to complete over the weekend (or longer, if needed!) Underneath the week’s challenge video there will be written instructions, pictures to go along with the video, and a bonus activity for youth to complete when they send in their completed challenge.
For Emma and the rest of the YES team to know your youth is participating, please register and send pictures and/or video of your youth attempting/completing the challenge to [email protected] each week. Stay safe, have fun, and I can’t wait to “see” you take on my challenges 🙂
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Week 3: ART in Nature
So far we’ve found our names and the colors of the rainbow in nature… but what can WE make out of nature? This week I’m challenging YOU to become “natural illustrators” and find/create art in nature. How many different images can you make in 30 minutes or less? Can you make an entire story out of twigs and leaves? How many emojis can you recreate with nature?
TIPS: Remember we don’t need to pick anything that’s still living and growing AND be creative! You can make ANYTHING you want as long as it’s made from sticks, stones, and other natural things!
BONUS CHALLENGE: After you send me picture(s) of the art you create, try and find TWO things in nature that already look like art. Does that tree in your backyard have a funny face? Does the cloud above you look like a spaceship? There are images all around us- let me know what you find!
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Week 2: COLORS of the Rainbow in Nature
Nature is beautiful and one of my favorite parts about being outside is seeing all of the different colors that exist! This week I challenge you to find all of the colors of the rainbow in nature! Find plants, leaves, flowers, and other things in your natural environment that are Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo (or another blue!), and Violet (Purple). Take pictures of each thing you find and send them back to me!
TIPS: Remember we don’t need to pick up anything for this challenge! We will be following the mantra, “take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but memories” as we complete this week’s challenge.
BONUS CHALLENGE: After you send me pictures of each color of the rainbow, try and find THREE different colors in nature and send them to me! Do you see a brown tree? A dandelion with a white puff? How about a pink flower?
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Week 1: Find YOUR NAME in Nature
Find YOUR NAME in Nature- Video Link
Using the nature that exists around us, find materials which you can use to spell out your name! Once you’ve completed this, find some more materials and spell as many of these words as you can in 30 minutes:
YES
FUN
NATURE
SPRING
MAY
CHALLENGE
OUTSIDE
SUNSHINE
SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS!
TIPS: Remember, we’re only picking up what is already loose on the ground! By participating in this challenge, we ALL promise to not leave a trace and we won’t pick leaves, petals, or other things in nature that are still alive and connected to the ground.
BONUS CHALLENGE: After you send me pictures/videos of YOU completing the challenge, give ME a word to spell out and send back to you!
Check out the pictures below of Emma completing the activity!
