Exploring Nature with Curiosity and Creativity
By Jyoti Patale, Climate change
Urban childhoods often limit nature interactions to schoolbooks or short family outings. To bridge this gap, the Nature Summer Camp in Ranchi offered a vibrant and immersive space where children could connect with the natural world through play, art, and hands-on learning. To begin with, the camp welcomed 70 enthusiastic participants, aged 4 to 14, from reputed schools such as JVM and DPS Ranchi. The sessions were facilitated by Simran Sethi (Bhoomi Fellow) and Muskan Singh (Art Teacher), who skillfully guided the children through a range of creative, nature-based activities designed to spark curiosity and build ecological awareness. The camp was conducted in two rounds, each consisting of three-day sessions.
Each day focused on a unique aspect of nature, encouraging children to observe, ask questions, and build empathy for the environment.
Day 1: Insect Explorations
The camp opened with a lively presentation on animal camouflage, sparking excitement as children learned how insects and animals use color and patterns to blend into their surroundings. Armed with nature bingo sheets, children set off on outdoor explorations to spot hidden insects and animals. The activity sharpened their observation skills while nurturing a sense of wonder for the surrounding green spaces. A refreshing break with watermelon slices was followed by a hands-on composting session, where children learned how kitchen waste, dry leaves, and decomposers can work together to enrich soil — a valuable sustainability lesson.
The day ended with a creative storytelling session, where children used natural materials, collage art, and comic strips to invent insect-inspired stories. Older participants explored nature journaling, recording their thoughts and discoveries creatively.
An eco-story brought to life! Children recreate the tale of the ant and the grasshopper using natural materials, blending creativity with storytelling.
Day 2: The Wonder of Birds
Children were introduced to birds through the lens of their own lives, drawing parallels between how birds build homes, find food, raise families, and migrate. This helped shift their perception of birds from distant wildlife to familiar, relatable beings. Through movement-based games mimicking bird behavior — flapping, hopping, flying — the learning turned physical and fun. Using the Young Birders’ Bingo (NCF), binoculars, and field guides, participants explored the area looking for bird signs: feathers, calls, nests, and food sources. The activity sharpened their senses and deepened their awareness of bird habitats.
In an imaginative twist, children designed their fictional birds, blending traits from real species. They named their creations, gave them personalities, and decorated them using natural elements and art.
Day 3: Clay Modelling and Soil Stories
The final day celebrated soil and clay — the grounding elements of the natural world. Using pottery-grade clay, children modeled animals, birds, and imaginative creatures inspired by their experiences at camp.
Creations like octopuses, snowmen, birds, and insects came to life, showcasing their observations in tactile 3D form. Alongside, facilitators shared stories of soil formation, and children used cardboards, paints, and jute sacks to bring texture to their clay models.
A Joyful Journey into Nature
The Nature Summer Camp concluded on a high note, having created a space where children could slow down, observe, question, create, and play. Through storytelling, art, science, and movement, the children rediscovered nature—not as a subject confined to textbooks, but as something alive, inspiring, and deeply connected to their everyday lives.A Joyful Journey into Nature
The Nature Summer Camp concluded on a high note, having created a space where children could slow down, observe, question, create, and play. Through storytelling, art, science, and movement, they rediscovered nature not as a subject in textbooks, but as something alive, inspiring, and deeply connected to their own lives.
