“If you cannot find joy in the snow, you’ll have less joy and the same amount of snow” – Anonymous
As an environmental educator, part of my job is to teach others to see the beauty and learning opportunities in all seasons. However, I have to admit that I have a personal fondness for warm weather, lush foliage, intriguing insects, and all that summer has to offer. Growing up, I thought of winter as cold, dark, and something to “get through ” as I counted down the days until spring. As an adult, my views on winter began to shift in a more positive direction, but it wasn’t until I was trudging through deep snow in the bitter cold with a bunch of 3, 4, and 5-year-olds that I truly learned to love my least favorite season. As winter is upon us once again, I have three main tips for helping you to do the same.
- Invest in the right gear and accept that it isn’t always pretty.
I quickly found that it is incredibly important to have the right gear to stay comfortable. Being cold, wet, or (worst of all!) both, is a sure way to ruin the fun. Sometimes, that does mean purchasing long-lasting, durable gear that can be on the expensive side. High-quality base layers are warm and insulating but lightweight, eliminating some of the bulk that can also be uncomfortable. That being said, I have found that the gear that keeps me most comfortable when it’s -40 with the windchill isn’t exactly “cute” or fashionable. That’s ok! Comfort is key.
- Get outside as much as you can.
It may seem counterintuitive to look for reasons to get outside in winter if it isn’t your favorite, but the more time you spend outside in winter, the more you learn to appreciate it. Try skiing, ice skating, or ice fishing. Take a walk at the Gardens and do some nature photography or bird watching. The peace, serenity, and beauty of the Gardens in winter will keep you coming back for more. Whatever you decide to do, get outside and do it! Often!
- Think like a 4-year-old.
Even on the coldest, windiest, wettest days of the year, the Sprouts students were ALWAYS happy to be playing outside. When you think about it, kids don’t start to dislike winter until we tell them to. Without even realizing it, we are taking away some of the natural joy that snow brings children every time we complain about shoveling or driving in slippery conditions. If we learn to view snow with excitement and wonder like children do, winter will quickly become much more enjoyable for the whole family.
Written by Environmental Educator, Kaytie Ruesch
