If You Could Celebrate Get Outdoors Day in Any Fictional Setting, Where Would It Be?
Hi there! National Get Outdoors Day is just around the corner, Saturday, June 10, 2023. Celebrated nationally in the United States, the day is all about promoting the social, economic, and environmental benefits of outdoor recreation. Individuals and organizations across the U.S. are readying events and activities. For example, did you know the U.S. Forest Service waived its recreation fees for most day-use sites this Saturday?
To mark the occasion, we asked our team at NAAEE: If you could celebrate Get Outdoors Day in any fictional setting, where would it be?
Some expressed their joy in magic and nature.
“I think I’d like to visit the House in the Cerulean Sea and fill my heart with a little of the magic.”
—Lori Mann, Director of Conferences and Programs
“I’d love to play soccer (football) with the Richmond team on the field in Ted Lasso!”
—Grace Charabati, Event and Executive Coordinator
I would put a brave face on and explore the Forbidden Forest from Harry Potter!
—Christy Merrick, Natural Start Alliance Director
“I would totally spend the day sailing with Moana! Or spend some time in the bioluminescent forest in Avatar’s Pandora.”
—Nina Hamilton, International Programs and EE 30 Under 30 Manager
“I love the magical, vibrant world of Steven Universe, so celebrating Get Outdoors Day at Beach City would be a dream! Taking fusion dance classes on the sandy shores with the Crystal Gems would be so much fun. I’d also visit the majestic Watermelon Stevens for a unique take on community gardening.”
—Jimena Cuenca, Digital Community Coordinator
I’d love to hike the Appalachian Trail with Dani in Halfway to the Sky (one of my favorite books as a kid.)
—Madeline Halvey, International Programs Coordinator
Others reflected about our planet right now and envisioned a healing world.
“Follow the rainbow/water to a green and colorful world full of flowers, trees, crystal mountains, and crisp clean flowing waters that nurture healthy food, happy children, and harmony among all life towards a sustainable future for all.”
—Donna Goodman, K–12 EE eePRO Group Moderator
"Last week, I might have said I'd love to spend Get Outdoors Day on a moon colony of the future. Today, the wildfire smoke from Canada hangs in the skies over DC, looking like a scene from a 1970s alien invasion movie. The gleaming white marble of the capitol's monuments are cast with a brownish tint that makes it feel like we're already living on a future colony, with our outdoor PPE serving as our moon suits. It'll blow over by the weekend, they say, ignoring the 'record breaking' days still to come, as our planet warms. How will we adjust to life on this strange and changing planet? Maybe I'll spend this year's Get Outdoors Day inside imagining these changes and how our communities can adjust and adapt to support a healing planet."
—Michael Cruse, Sustainable Cities and Communities eePRO Group Moderator
Now, it’s your turn!
Tell us in the comments: In what fictional setting would you celebrate Get Outdoors Day?
P.S. We genuinely hope you’ll take a break from the make-believe worlds this Saturday and venture into the great outdoors for some real-life adventures. And to all those impacted by the effects of wildfire smoke, we hope that you all are safe and well, and that the smoke clears away swiftly.
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Comments
I imagine celebrating as a backyard fairy dancing among the ferns and flowers as in the book "Backyard Fairies" by Phoebe Wahl. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens (https://www.novaparks.com/parks/meadowlark-botanical-gardens) in Vienna, Virginia has an enchanting fairy garden - I plan to go there on Saturday to celebrate National Get Outdoors Day.
In reply to I imagine celebrating as a… by Sheri Soyka
Hi Sheri! How was your visit to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens? Also, I appreciate the link you shared. The gardens look so lovely.