While most students were still asleep on a Sunday morning, on January 25th, a hefty group of juniors traded their screen times for a scenic hike at Huntington Central Park. Hosted by AP Lang teachers Mrs. Parrott and Mrs. Stultz, the annual Transcendentalist Nature Walk encouraged students to step outside into nature–or at least touch some grass. The goal? To provide students with an immersive experience and apply Transcendentalist concepts, while also offering students a chance to grow as writers, bond as an AP Lang cohort, and provide a break from the typical classroom setting.
A morning walk through a serene, calming park allows students to disconnect from their usual classroom environment. The current unit that AP English Language students are working through is the Transcendentalist poetry unit. Transcendentalism is defined by Britannica as, “an idealistic system of thought based on a belief in the essential unity of all creation, the innate goodness of humanity, and the supremacy of insight over logic and experience for the revelation of the deepest truths,” essentially going out into nature to reveal the truths of life, focusing on the positive aspects, rather than negative. Students were given assignments such as writing haikus, doing ecoprints of leaves, flowers, and foliage. Reflecting on the challenge of disconnecting, student Lily Uong admitted, “At first I was just like ‘How do I be creative without using the internet?’ but I ended up doing it. It was very nice that I got to look around in nature, and see the birds and the grass.” The time spent outdoors is not only a great way to enjoy nature with peers, but it also allows students to reset and learn in an unstructured environment where creativity is encouraged.
Beyond the academic curriculum, the nature walk prioritized personal wellness and social bonding. To get the full philosophic, transcendentalist experience, students were asked to surrender their phones, trading notifications for the natural sights and sounds of Huntington Central Park. This requirement forced students to literally disconnect to reconnect, and by removing digital distractions, juniors were able to bond as a group in a way that is rarely possible within the confines of a fifty-minute class period. The morning offered a rare “opportunity to be free for a little bit,” as junior Kai Moses from Mrs. Stultz’s AP Lang class noted, encouraging students to reflect on their own identities away from the pressures of social media. Ultimately, the experience proved that while nature itself cannot complete the rigorous AP workload for students, even a moment in engaging with the outdoors provides the mental clarity and resilience students need to handle their most demanding courses.
Overall, students were given the opportunity to connect with nature in a non-traditional academic way. By taking a step outside of the classroom and into Huntington Central Park, students were able to engage with their peers and teachers while learning a little more hands-on about their Transcendentalist unit. They practiced their writing skills and honed their focus, ready to step back into the classroom on Monday and continue their spiritual journey.
