As we know from the Girl Scout Research Institute report More Than S’mores: Successes and Surprises in Girl Scouts’ Outdoor Experiences (and from a recent post on the Girl Scout blog), it's super important and super healthy for girls (and all of us!) to get outdoors, have fun in nature, and not always be stuck inside glued to our technology toys. The proof is in the research!
That’s why this Great Outdoors Month we want to get you
started on your journey to more outdoor fun by offering six awesome ideas for getting
outside more, regardless of where you live.
1. Take your meals
outside
Whether you have a back yard, a small patio, or just a
stoop, take your next weekday dinner or weekend lunch outside. Enjoy your food
as you gaze around the neighborhood, connect with your surroundings, and feel
the warm sunshine or the cool evening breeze on your face. And whenever
possible, make it a family affair!
Take the opportunity to really relax and savor your meal, be
present with your thoughts, or have a meaningful conversation with someone you
love. It’s also not a bad idea to take a walk after you’re done eating.
2. Plan an outdoor
workout at least twice a week
We’re all very busy, and sometimes it’s difficult to find the
time to work out, but you can start committing at least two evenings a week to
working out outside. Lots of cities have free outdoor classes for kids and
adults during the summer at local parks or other locations—so jump online and
see what’s offered in your area. You can also plan fun jogs with family or
friends. Make double use of your precious time by getting your fitness on while
simultaneously catching up with the people you love in an environment free of
distractions that inhibit meaningful interaction. 
That’s right! If you don’t already have a furry ball of love
as part of your family, a dog can be a great companion as well as an awesome exercise
buddy. Having to walk the dog several times a day will force you to get out more
often during the week. You might even enjoy the walks so much, you’ll start
making them longer and longer. And who knows? Someday soon you may find
yourself at the park on a Wednesday night, throwing Frisbees to your dog and
drinking homemade lemonade out of your thermos like an outdoor champ!
4. Read a book on the
lawn
Reading can be done on more than Barcaloungers, couches, and
beds. You can also take your book outside! So grab a snack and a drink, and
head out with your page-turner. Sit on your stoop, in a chair, or even on the
grass, and escape into your story while surrounded by the sounds of nature. Eyes
need a little break? That’s easy. Just put the book down for a few minutes and
enjoy the view of the outside world, instead of getting sucked into the next
rerun of Friends. Make it extra fun.
Bring the kids along (friends work too!) and alternate between reading and
sharing your stories with each other!
5. “Run” errands on
foot or by bike
Errands can be a drag sometimes, so why not make a fun,
healthy activity out of them by doing them on foot or by bike if you can?
Walking or biking instead of driving is so much more active, and allows you to
connect more with your surroundings. Plus it can make errands feel a little
more fun and freeing than the endless cycle of driving and parking, driving and
parking. Maybe all of your errands aren’t within walking or biking distance,
and that’s OK. Just go for the ones that make sense; instead of driving three
minutes down your street to pick up a prescription, for example, you could
accomplish the same task via a brisk walk or a quick bike ride.
Whether you’re 5 or 45, scavenger hunts are always a good
time! Want to make your time outside really interesting? Why not plan a
scavenger hunt the whole family can be a part of? It will keep you outside and
running around all day, and you’ll build great memories along the way. You
might even want to make it an activity you do every month or maybe once every
season—something exciting to look forward to on a regular basis!
Outdoors is where it’s
at!
And remember, no matter how simple an activity might be, doing
it outdoors is very different from—and often more exciting than!—doing the same
thing indoors. Outdoor spaces support physical play and help develop stronger
mobility and confidence. Spending time in nature can also help you recharge and
become more self-aware and creative, as well as a better problem solver.
Choose one of these six fun outdoor activities, or any other
you can think up, and make it a regular part of your routine!