For years, teachers have been puzzled by the mysteries of the Gardening Club. One day, they hand out lettuce, and the next, the club’s mystery deepens. After COVID-19, the Gardening Club was all the rage, creating a field visible by the bus parking lot. Then, without warning, they vanished leaving no crumbs behind. What happened? Truth be told, they were never seen again.
Okay, here’s the real scoop: they didn’t disappear, instead they joined forces with the other side! Who’s the other side? Well, it’s known as Unplugged-N-Outdoors Club.
Brad McKee, a co-advisor of the club stated, “Joining forces with Gardening Club made sense. Since we love spending time outdoors, and gardening happens mostly outside, it felt natural to work together on ways to plant, grow, and care for the environment we enjoy so much. Katie Lynn, the founder and advisor of the Gardening Club, suggested the merge, and now we’re operating under the Unplugged-N-Outdoors umbrella.”
McKee has always loved the outdoors and wanted to create something where he could make an impact on the young minds of society.
“When I was in high school, I was part of the Outdoor Club, Ski Club, and Mountain Biking Club. Back then, we didn’t have cell phones-we spent most of our time outside, exploring neighborhoods, and, in my case, the mountains that were practically my backyard. These days, cell phones keep people, especially young adults, tethered to their screens, almost like prisoners,” McKee said. “My goal was to help others rediscover the outdoors and disconnect from technology-no Tik-Tok, Instagram, or any other social media. Just you, your fellow club members, and nature.”
There have been many memorable moments that both advisors have loved, but there is one that sticks out to Lynn in particular.
“During the Nevada Day weekend, the club volunteered to help run activity tables for the Ice Age Fossils State Park Nevada Day event. It was so wonderful to see how the students really enjoyed being together and participating in community activities!” Lynn stated.
Sure, staying inside and doom-scrolling through socials is tempting, but trading Wi-Fi for sunshine might just be the secret to a healthier, happier lifestyle.
McKee says, “To those who aren’t as open to the outdoors, give it a chance. Start small-take a walk, sit outside and listen to the sounds of nature, or join a group activity like a hike or cleanup event. You don’t have to be an expert or outdoor enthusiast to enjoy the benefits of being outside. While our club does plenty of indoor activities, like service projects, the outdoors is where you’ll really feel the magic. Don’t be afraid to step outside-soak up some real vitamin D, breathe fresh air, and let Mother Nature fill your soul. The outdoors has a way of clearing your mind, reducing stress, and helping you feel more connected. You might just discover something about yourself you didn’t expect. Take that first step-you won’t regret it!”
There’s something out there for everyone, it just needs to be found.
Lynn states “The key is to find a way to connect with nature that feels enjoyable and meaningful to them, but I always encourage learning about new things and developing new skills. Learning how to grow your own food is a valuable tool for supporting a healthy lifestyle and sustainable living.”
