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First Day Hike in Nature: A Time for Family Reflection

For many, New Year’s Day is a time for peace, quiet, and calmness. Though it’s the beginning of something new, it’s also a time to reflect on all that life brought during the past year in preparation for what’s soon to come. Luckily, New Year’s Day in western Massachusetts offers us a beautiful landscape within which to reflect. As 2019 begins, families can connect to the world around them by participating in facilitated First Day hikes or by exploring on their own through the chilly landscape.

Category: Hilltown Families, Outdoor Activities Tags: First Day Hike, nature hike, New Year's Day

First Day Hikes for the New Year

The New Year is often seen as a moment of reflection and intention-setting. While on your first hike, consider taking your journal with you. Nature can be inspiring and provides a place for contemplation and meditation. A few writing prompts to help you get started:

What is a new skill you would like to learn this year?
Describe one of your favorite memories from last year.
Make a list of the favorite places you visited in your community last year.
Make a list of places you would like to explore further this year.
What is a new skill that you learned last year?

Category: Hilltown Families, Nature Based Education, Supplement Tags: First Day Hike, Holiday Traditions, Learning Ahead 17, Learning Ahead Seasons Nov Dec, Nature Based Learning, Placemaking, Winter Holidays

First Day Hikes in Western MA

DCR Sponsors First Day Hikes The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will sponsor free “First Day” family hikes in 14 state parks across the Commonwealth on New Year’s Day, as a way to connect children and parents with the great outdoors even – or maybe especially – in winter. Several will be here in Western MA. First Day hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in… Read More