How to Connect With the Outdoors While at Home
![](https://conservationcorps.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Hauck2CSidney_April_PaperBagCanyon-904x625.jpg)
By Sidney Hauck, Recruitment Capacity Building Specialist/ AmeriCorps Member with Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa through the Individual Placement program
- Go for a walk around your neighborhood while staying at least 6 feet away from everyone else.
- Draw or paint your favorite nature scene. Bob Ross rules apply, “We don’t make mistakes. We just have happy accidents.”
![](https://conservationcorps.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Hauck-Sidney_April_Bob-Ross-e1623961006809.jpg)
- Open the windows and breathe the fresh air and listen to the birds.
- Set up a campsite in your living room and spend a night “camping”. Eat some jerky on the hike there!
- Try to create #OurGreatIndoors like Erin Sullivan (@erinoutdoors) with the objects laying around the house.
![](https://conservationcorps.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Hauck-Sidney_April_ErinOutdoorsIG.jpg)
![](https://conservationcorps.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Hauck-Sidney_April_Paper-Bag-Canyon.jpg)
My attempt at Paper Bag Canyon.
- Have the DNR EagleCam Livestream on in the background while you work.
- Take photos of the local wildlife (aka pets, stuffed animals, or birds outside your window).
![](https://conservationcorps.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Hauck-Sidney_April_Cat-Niffin-e1623961143645.jpg)
My cats Niffin and Smol. (L-R)
![](https://conservationcorps.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Hauck-Sidney_April_Cat-Smol-e1623961180169.jpg)
- Take a virtual tour of Minnesota parks, trails, and water trails.
- Read a book about the outdoors, whether its activism or an adventure.
![](https://conservationcorps.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Hauck-Sidney_April_Braiding-Sweetgrass-Book.jpg)
I’m currently reading “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
- If you spend a lot of your time on Instagram, follow accounts that are focused on the outdoors. My favorites are:
- Brianna Madia (@briannamadia)
- Abbi Hearne (@abbihearne)
- Erin Sullivan (@erinoutdoors)
- Katie Boué (@katieboue)
- Karen Ramos (@naturechola)
- Pattie Gonia (@pattiegonia)
- Ambreen Tariq (@brownpeoplecamping)
- Latasha Dunston (@jitterbug_art)
![](https://conservationcorps.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Hauck-Sidney_April_BrownPeopleCampingIG.jpg)