Secular Charlotte Mason

I have a couple of friends who think I don't get enough time to myself.  Their kids are in school. I am happy with amount of time I get to myself but I'd also like it to feel more refreshing.

The hobbies I like involve set up and cleanup and a lot of sitting (scrapbooking, painting, and I would like to try pottery). Or I like computer time or reading.  Too much sitting.  If I am shopping, I am usually looking for used books and going to garage sales.  We have enough books and stuff.

I want to get outside in Nature more.  By myself. I like to garden but my yard is overwhelming.  I've tried doing 10 x 10 sections.  It starts to feel like work instead of pleasure.

So, what are some good outdoor hobbies/activities for a woman out by herself?  What safety precautions do you take if you are alone on hiking trails or streams? 

Hmm.  I recently was feeling the same way. Plus, my interest in aromatherapy and herbalism has fostered a need to learn more about what plants grow out here (I'm not from Oregon).  So, I am actually beginning the naturalist training program that I bought for my teen son.  It's called Kamana and is from the Wilderness Awareness School.  I think it is going to be great fun and will help me create the habit of going outside more regularly. I have finally come to the realization that I am just not much of a gardener, the way my mom and grandparents were, so gardening is not a good incentive for me either.  Right now the excitement of being able to identify a plant and then going home and using a dried version of said plant in my soap and infusion making is highly motivating--and I am learning more than when I was only reading about herbs and herbalism. Right now I am mostly visiting the local parks and not actual wilderness so safety factors are not a prime concern at this point. 

The Kamana program looks really good. The link jumped out at me when I looked at your links page right after I posted this question. LOL  I remember you saying your son was going to do something with Wilderness Awareness School, I didn't realize what it was...  Very cool.  My kids would probably like that too when they get older.

I think I will start hiking and scouting trails to take my kids.  I need to buy some mace. I've run into a few shady characters when I'm out and about -- closer to town tho.  I'd also like to learn to kayak but that will probably be a big expense and there is transportation to work out also.

I have a friend who is a naturalist.  She says she's forgotten a lot since having babies but I'll bet she'd remember quickly. I'll have to see if she wants to do Kamana with me. I want to be out there alone but I'm a bit nervous about it too.

Looking at the Kamana Tourist Test, I would be lucky to get a few right. MountainMan would ace it. I'm going to show him this site. He might be interested in doing this with me even if he joins me at the higher levels (after I catch up =).  You guys would really like Echoes.  You would find others there with the same interests.  It's possible to come only for a day to check it out...

Echoes is definitely on our list of summer activities for next year, that and Faerie Worlds (right Anna?).  Due to our big old road trip and home repairs there just isn't time or money this year. All good things in all good time is my new motto lol. 

I think there is a Kamana for younger kids too but I bet your kids are already learning more from Mountain Man.  You might enjoy using some of the activities from their Coyote Guide with the kids, though. Are you familiar with Keepers of the Earth?  It isn't from the Wilderness Awareness School but it is pretty darn good and is for younger kids. I bet your local library would have some of these. Anna was able to find some of the Kamana CDs at our local library. 

I am familiar with Keepers of the Earth. I got to put my hands on it at the gift shop at Hatfield Marine Science Center.  It's on my list to get.  I will be getting a Salem library card (more books!) this fall so I'll check to see if they have Kamana and even Keepers now that I think about it.  Thanks for the info.