Discover Nature Awareness
A collection of Nature-based games for children and adults of all ages and backgrounds. Geoffrey McMullan.
“Drawing on many years of personal experience, Geoffrey McMullan has produced a book which is ideal for those who are starting on the journey into the world of Nature Awareness as well as those who are more experienced in working in the field.
For those who are just beginning to explore the world of Nature Awareness, the book forms both a reference guide and a doorway into the realm of the wider benefits to be gleaned from Nature Awareness. It clearly lays out the reasons, benefits and possibilities of Nature Awareness.
Containing games and activities which can be used either merely to fill time on a sunny day, or as part of a more in-depth venture into Nature Awareness, as a resource for parents, ‘bushcrafters’ and those who work in the field of educating children, it is an excellent reference and will broaden your understanding of Nature Awareness.
For those who work in the field of addition therapy, this book should be part of your professional library.
The activities that Geoff has included within this book are at first glance un-challenging, but, as with many things in life, if you look a little deeper they can be deeply revealing about ones’ personality and values.
Geoff’s easy to read style makes this book a pleasure to read. It will be one that I read and refer to again and again.”
Many thanks and all the best,
Chris
"Geoffrey is someone who looks past the probable and into the possible, understanding how the outdoors can be used for inspirational experiences, with his love of nature clearly shining through the page."
Paul Moseley - Forest Schools Trainer
“For me it seems to be the first book that I would buy that stands between standard books about teambuilding games and the more nature orientated mystical books that I would probably not buy... You can just feel the experience of the writer, and all the untold stories, experiences and adventures that have formed him. And it really reads like you’re in a private class with a very good teacher. Bravo!”
Jurjen Knoester - Outdoor Team Training - Holland
“I really liked that owners of the book are encouraged to take complete ownership of the games and develop and shape them as they see fit …this is often overlooked when reading game instructions and I feel that this information really emphasized the method that you are trying to get people to partake in.”
Christopher McCrory - Cub Leader – UK
“I can see times during my work with young people, where these games would be of great value.”
Sandra McCrory
Youth Worker
South Lanarkshire
UK
“It has given me a whole new methodology of looking at what it is I do with Nature Awareness.”
Thomas Schorr-kon - Trackways - UK
Discover Nature Awareness - Review of Scouts vs Hunters
Overview: After initial introduction and spending a number of preparatory sessions developing trust within the group and teaching the difference between peripheral and tunnel vision, the game was on the whole a success. It was enjoyed by all the students, and they are keen to play it again.
Issues encountered: Awareness of self: Most students found this concept difficult to come to terms with. They found it challenging to look and think about themselves and how to improve.
Observation: Initially all students found it very difficult to sit still and observe using various senses. It was a skill that took time to develop, mainly with a number of them feeling uncomfortable in the ‘alien’ environment they were in.
Hunters blindfolded: This was the primary issue that had to be dealt with. Due to past experience/issues, many found it very uncomfortable to be blindfolded and to sit still. When questioned, they felt out of control, and all initially found it difficult to just rely on their ears. Staff observations on this proved that the students were very uncomfortable, with lots of fidgeting and not being able to sit blindfolded for very long.
To prepare students for this, a sit spot activity was done initially, and then moved on to blindfolding them all, with only staff being able to see. They felt that they were all in the same boat and more able to relax, particularly as they trusted the staff totally. I used this activity to develop the confidence in the use of peripheral vision. All students were to detect staff as they moved quietly amongst them, and also to try to identify which member of staff it was that was moving amongst them.
Peripheral and tunnel vision: As covered in the Hunters blindfold, many students found it a difficult concept to understand. It was easy for them to do when carrying out preparatory visual exercise, but once they were blindfolded, many found it difficult and uncomfortable. I think this is more an issue of trust, knowing that a student was walking amongst them who was sighted. The initial game was carried out with all students playing the role of the hunters; while a member of staff was the scout (this was successful as they were happy to trust staff). Once the students were happy with this, then they moved on to playing the game fully and beginning to trust each other.
Due to the nature of the group, I did not expect the game to be a total success the first time it was played. In total it took 3 sessions of slowly building up their confidence and trust within the group, before they were fully ready to move forward. Using staff as the scouts and all the students as hunters, helped them to move forward, and allowed the trust to develop and for students to feel comfortable while blindfolded.
The game is now played regularly and is working very well. A variation of the game has been developed, after suggestions from the students. In this, there is only one hunter (blindfolded) and a number of scouts who have to reach an objective. The most recent variation on this has been where the scouts have to creep up to the hunter without being detected. This variation can only be played with the initial group who have developed trust amongst them selves. I have attempted this by adding a new student, but have been totally unsuccessful, again due to the trust issue.
In conclusion, an excellent game, which has helped the group develop well after the initial building up period.
Manse Ahmad
Pupil Referral Unit
