Last month, I had the privilege of attending the Natural Leaders Network Legacy Camp in West Virginia, USA. I was joined by Temily McCutcheon, another local Natural Leader, and Nick Stanger, our CNA Chair as well as 23 other passionate young folks from all across the States, Puerto Rico and Australia. Here are ten tidbits from my journal and a sketch from it as well.

1. Those rainy days we bemoan are actually a fantastic opportunity to do what one can’t do when it’s sunny…Riding down muddy hills in cardboard boxes, anyone?
2. Community organizing (and, incidentally, youth empowerment) is working yourself out of a job.
3. One night, my roommate sang a Yiddish lullaby that, loosely translated, spoke of how ‘The world is a narrow bridge, and we shall not be afraid’. For me, the world feels more like a canvas: you’re in charge of the paintbrush, but the background is outside of your control.
4. Behaviour is a function of the environment we’re in. This is where issues like Nature-Deficit Disorder come in. We’re not getting enough quality nature time in, and it’s driving us nuts.
5. Generous listening is so important. Asking someone ‘Tell me more’ in an authentic, engaged way creates space for the other person to feel heard and deepens your own understanding of the subject at hand.
6. FOMO, Fear Of Missing Out is a real issue for many people, including me.
7. Personal stories are more compelling than statistics. Why do you do what you do for the Child and Nature movement? Answer that question, and share your answer far and wide. Your passion will inspire others to find their motivation in this movement.
8. Why did the Natural Leader cross the road? To get to the other (out)side!
9. In this Child and Nature movement, getting young people outdoors isn’t always the end goal in itself. Instead, helping folks become happier, healthier, more fulfilled and closer to reaching their personal goals through interactions with nature is a more accurate picture.
10. Live, Love, Learn and Leave a Legacy.

​Kluane Buser-Rivet

Natural Leader

Child and Nature Alliance Board Member