Season: September, October, November
Theme: Explore Outdoor Skills

Be Safe While Navigating Nature

• Participate with a family member, club or trusted adult.
• Always let someone know where you’re going.
• Dress for the weather and stay hydrated.
• Be aware of your surroundings — respect wildlife and watch for hazards like poison ivy or snakes.

Explore: Outdoor Skills

Discover activities that will help you navigate the outdoors and record what you see. This self-guided lesson is great for families, clubs or independent explorers.

Self-Paced Learning

Explore mapping and navigation through self-guided lessons:

• Compass & Pacing
• Creating a Wildlife Resource Map

Be Prepared in Nature

Learn to use a compass, to measure distance based on your pace and mapping basics.

Healthy Snack:Power Bites

A no-bake, energy-boosting snack for your next outdoor adventure!

Makes: 12–15 bites
Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
No baking required!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• ½ cup nut butter (peanut, almond, etc.) or soy nut butter as a peanut-free alternative
• ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
• ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips or dried cranberries
• ¼ cup ground flaxseed or chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: ¼ cup shredded coconut or finely chopped raisins

Supplies:

• Mixing bowl
• Mixing spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cookie scoop or clean hands
• Storage container with lid

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, flaxseed (or chia seeds) and any optional dry add-ins.
2. Add nut butter, honey and vanilla extract.
3. Stir until everything is well combined. If the mixture feels too sticky, add a few more oats.
4. Scoop out small portions (about 1 tablespoon) and roll into balls using clean hands.
5. Place Power Bites in a container and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes before eating.

Optional Add-In Ideas:

• Swap mini chocolate chips for raisins, dried blueberries or yogurt chips
• Add a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor

Physical Activity:Nature Scavenger

Get ready to explore the outdoors like a true Nature Navigator! This scavenger hunt can be done at a local park, trail, schoolyard or even in your own neighborhood.

Instructions:

1. Grab the checklist below, a pencil and your sense of adventure.
2. As you walk, look closely and observe your surroundings.
3. Check off each item you find. Can you find them all?
4. Optional: Take a photo or draw your favorite find!

Nature Scavenger Hunt Items to Find

☐ A bird chirping or flying

☐ A buzzing insect (bee, butterfly or fly)

☐ A tree with rough bark

☐ A smooth rock

☐ A wildflower

☐ A plant with three leaves

☐ A stick shaped like a letter or number

☐ Animal tracks or signs (feather, nest, chewed leaf)

☐ Something that smells good in nature

☐ Something swaying in the wind (grass, leaves, branches)

☐ Something soft

☐ Something rough

☐ Something tiny

☐ Something tall

☐ Two different colors of leaves

☐ Think of one thing you're grateful for

☐ Share a kind word or smile with someone that you meet on your walk

Mindful Moment: Balloon Breathing

A simple way to pause, calm your mind and feel more present in nature.

Purpose:

Breathing exercises help reduce stress, improve focus and make us feel more relaxed. Balloon breathing is a fun way to practice mindful breathing using your imagination!

What You’ll Need:

• A quiet spot to stand or sit (under a tree, on a rock, or in the grass)
• Your imagination
• Optional: a smooth stone to hold in your hand

How to Do Balloon Breathing:

1. Stand or sit comfortably with your back tall and shoulders relaxed.
2. Place your hands on your belly or imagine you’re holding a big balloon in front of you.
3. Breathe in slowly through your nose, filling up your belly like you’re inflating a balloon.
   (Count slowly: 1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 4)
4. Pause for a second — feel the balloon full of air.
5. Breathe out gently through your mouth, imagining the air slowly escaping the balloon.
   (Count slowly: 1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 4 ... 5)
6. Repeat this 3–5 times, getting slower and calmer with each breath.

Optional Reflection Prompts:

After breathing, invite youth to share or journal:

• How does your body feel now?
• What sounds did you notice while breathing?
• Did your mind feel calmer or more focused?

Bonus Activity: Nature Breathing Cues

Use nature to guide your breathing:

• Breathe in like the wind blowing through trees.
• Breathe out like a butterfly slowly flapping its wings.
• Breathe in the smell of flowers, breathe out the worries.

Nature Craft: Nature Compass

Time: 30–45 minutes
Learn about navigation and direction-finding by creating a working compass using simple outdoor materials.

What You’ll Need:

• A shallow bowl or cup of water
• A sewing needle or small straight pin
• A small leaf or piece of cork
• A strong magnet (or a refrigerator magnet)
• A permanent marker (optional)
• Nature items for decorating (acorns, leaves, twigs, pinecones)

Instructions:

1. Magnetize the Needle
   • Stroke the needle across the magnet in one direction only, about 20–30 times.
   • This aligns the electrons in the needle, turning it into a temporary magnet.
2. Prepare the Float
   • Place the leaf or cork on the surface of the water. It should float freely and remain balanced.
   • Carefully place the magnetized needle on top of the leaf/cork so it stays flat.
3. Watch it Work
   • Observe as the needle rotates and eventually points north–south.
   • Use the permanent marker to label “N” on the leaf/cork if desired.
4. Decorate Your Compass
   • Use gathered nature items to decorate the rim of the bowl or make a nature-inspired frame for your compass display.

Observation:

• Why does the needle point north?
• How can this skill help you in the outdoors?
• What are other ways people navigate in nature?

Outdoor Skill Tie-In:

• This activity teaches youth about direction-finding and the science behind compasses, essential skills for hiking, camping and exploring safely.

Reflection Questions

• How does spending time outside make you feel?
• What do you want to explore next in nature?

4-H Connection

This lesson supports 4-H Healthy Living by encouraging outdoor physical activity, mindfulness and healthy snack preparation. It also supports 4-H Natural Resources and STEM through birding, photography and observation of wildlife.

Earn Your Sticker!

To earn your fall Nature Navigators sticker badge:

1. Complete at least three activities from this lesson.
2. Take a photo of yourself completing one of the activities.
3. Answer these three questions: I liked… I wish… I wonder…
4. Submit your photo and answers in your ZSuite registration with your name, address, and county.