Hope for Nature Kids - Mid Year Field Trip

On July 11th, 2026 I had the pleasure of attending the Hope for Nature Kids Mid- Year Field trip at Wulkie Farm. Hope for Nature Kids is a non-profit organization focused on connecting children with nature, inspiring Liberian youth to engage in environmental stewardship, and encouraging conservation from a young age.

During this event, I was able to witness firsthand the importance of creating a connection between children and nature. Seeing their curiosity, questions, eagerness to learn, and willingness to engage with their surroundings really showcased the importance of youth empowerment and the value of starting environmental education at a young age.  Nowadays, especially within the Canadian context, many children are growing up relying on technologies, reducing interest to play outside and explore their surroundings. As our world continues to modernize, more children are increasingly getting disconnected from nature. Hope for Nature Kids creates opportunities for children to explore, learn, and develop a relationship with the environment, which is necessary in order to build a generation that values and protects our planet.

One moment that stood out to me was when I asked a child participant what they wanted to do in the future, and they responded, “Forestry”. Hearing this immediately showed me what Hope for Nature Kids is working to achieve. This moment made me reflect on my own childhood growing up in Canada. When I was young, I never knew environmental sciences as a field of study. When I thought of science careers, unfortunately due to the structure of my high school, I only thought of medical school or becoming a doctor. The fact that an 11-year-old child already understands that forestry is a possible career pathway, is incredibly valuable. Even at age 20, I am still so confused on what I want to do in the future, which made me appreciate how important it is for children to be exposed to various different career paths.

Hope for Nature Kids focuses on career planning and environmental exposure, which is something I believe is incredibly important. By exposing children to nature, they can truly build a deeper understanding of why protecting the environment matters, learn about the animals that are native to Liberia and other parts of the world, and develop a genuine appreciation and care for our planet. Hearing the children participate in the environmental promise, which included chants such as “I promise to protect the environment”, was a beautiful reminder of the importance of environmental exposure at a young age.

Another meaningful part of the event was meeting a participant named Sam. Sam is mute and has a passion for arts and drawing. Seeing and hearing about his creativity, dreams, and aspiration of working in the environmental science field showcased how Hope for Nature Kids also values inclusivity and accessibility.

Being in Nature not only provides you with knowledge but has positive benefits as well. Research showcases how nature can boost serotonin levels (Shafir, 2025) and how forests release compounds called Phytoncides which are believed to decrease stress and increase relaxation (Franco et al., 2017). Additionally, fractal patterns in nature such as petals of a flower as an example can increase alpha brainwave activity and relaxation (Shafir, 2025) . During the field trip with Hope for Nature Kids, that mid-year field trip became easily one of the most relaxing days of my week. Feeling the warmth of the sun, the breeze moving through the trees, and witnessing the curiosity and excitement of the youth around me made it become one of the most peaceful and memorable days of my time in Liberia.

Organizations such as Hope for Nature Kids could not be more important, especially in an increasingly digital world where many young people are spending less time outdoors and becoming increasingly disconnected from nature. By empowering the children today, this organization fosters a care and appreciation for the environment. After witnessing the passion, ambitions, and curiosity of the children at Wulkie Farm, it really left me with hope that creating a connection between nature at a young age, can create a future generation that protects and advocates for our planet.

                                                            BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Franco, L. et al.(2017). A review of the benefits of nature experiences - PMC - NIH. PubMed Central. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5580568/

Shafir, Z. (2025). A psychologist explains how nature really does heal US - texas parks & wildlife magazine. Texas Parks & Wildlife. https://tpwmagazine.com/adventure-recreation/a-psychologist-explains-how-nature-really-does-heal-us/