I’ve never considered myself a collector—that’s more like my dad, with his massive rock collection. Yet, without realizing it, I’ve built a collection of my own through my years of work at Cincinnati Nature Center. It’s not a collection of objects, but of moments.
As the manager of school field trips, the moments that inspire me the most are when children and teachers step out of their comfort zones and embrace something new in nature. We provide a safe space. They bring the courage. Let me share a few gems from my collection…
JOY-GIVING MOMENTS
After four days of trying, a child finally holds a salamander for the first time. He “scream-laughs” at the top of his lungs for 10 seconds straight, his face alight. Once he conquers his fear, he refuses to let go of his slimy new friend.
PRIDE-BOOSTING MOMENTS
A girl with autism and a deep fear of snakes slowly inches across the Visitor Center auditorium, determined to face her fear. With trembling hands, she runs her fingers down the back of an ambassador snake. Her pride radiates from every pore, inspiring her classmates to follow her brave lead.
HEART-MOVING MOMENTS
A child shares with a naturalist the recent loss of a parent who loved the outdoors. While exploring, he points out animals his dad would have loved, using the program to process his grief with a compassionate, trusted adult. He loves the program so much that he returns with his mom the next week to hike. His story sparks a new partnership with Cincinnati Nature Center and Fernside Center for Grieving Children to support more families.
