Discovering Nature As Our Greatest Teacher, Healer, and Classroom

From the air we breathe to the food we eat, nature is within and all around us. We drink the sun through our skin and use it to grow our bones. We oxygenate our blood by exchanging air with trees. Our bodies are made of mostly water. We are nature.​

Trees, Children, and the Future: ​

Planting the Seeds of Environmental Justice

We need to plant 500,000 trees in Baltimore City by 2031​ to combat rising temperatures, reduce energy consumption, and improve overall quality of life, especially in underserved communities. These areas often face poor air quality, extreme heat, and higher crime rates due to the lasting effects of redlining and disinvestment.

Trees are the pillars of environmental justice, supporting a sustainable future for people—especially the children of today, who deserve to bequeath a habitable planet to their grandchildren.

Trees offer more than shade—they improve air quality and reduce urban heat while lowering energy bills by mitigating strain on the grid. Research shows that urban tree planting can lower crime rates and improve mental health by creating more welcoming spaces for children and families. As temperatures continue to rise, planting trees is crucial for making Baltimore's neighborhoods more livable and sustainable.

Our Superhero Summer

This summer, the children at InDiGO didn’t just imagine themselves as superheroes—they stepped into their own power, becoming everyday heroes through real-world action. With each choice to care for their environment and community, they proved that

true heroism comes from everyday acts of stewardship and compassion.

In Summer 2024, InDiGO served 143 unique individual campers across four programs. At Puh'Tok Day Camp, 72 campers participated, with some attending multiple weeks or both day and overnight camps, while 16 campers joined the Puh'Tok Overnight Camp. The Summer Enrichment Program at Arlington Elementary School hosted 73 campers, and 55 of those students adventured with us on our Forest Friday Field Trips. Most participants were in elementary grades, with a few younger and older from K through 8th. 

Students surveyed and stewarded the school grounds and nurtured the  school garden—a precious green space that thrived though the incredible heat thanks to our care. Now, as a result of InDiGO camper and staff  efforts over the summer, the garden has become a valuable asset for outdoor learning in the fall, offering a vibrant space for students to connect with nature throughout the school year.

InDiGO summer campers didn’t just observe nature; they actively engaged with it and began to see themselves as part of it. By conducting tree inventories and planning improvements for neglected green spaces around the school, the children saw how their actions directly impacted their surroundings. Cleaning up trash and tending the school grounds and garden brought immediate, visible improvements, giving them a strong sense of accomplishment.

These transformations helped the campers make connections between their efforts and the well-being of their community. They started to understand that environmental care goes beyond nature—it’s about creating cleaner, safer neighborhoods for themselves and their families. These experiences planted the seeds of awareness that the work they do today contributes to a healthier, stronger future—one that will shape their lives for years to come.

Their growth extended beyond physical tasks. They practiced de-escalating conflicts, resolving disputes, and maintaining harmony within their group. This taught them that being a hero means caring not just for nature, but also for one another. Whether comforting a classmate or protecting a fragile plant or animal, they learned that stewardship involves responsibility for all living things, from the smallest bug to the tallest tree.

Through these experiences—tending the land, playing games, resolving conflicts, and cultivating empathy—they didn’t just change their surroundings; they began to transform themselves. They stepped into the role of stewards, learning how to care for themselves, each other, and the Earth.

In our second year of offering the summer enrichment program at Arlington, students didn’t just learn about environmental stewardship—they became active participants in discovering what it means to be both stewards and heroes. They developed emotional intelligence alongside environmental awareness, practicing patience, empathy, and self-management.

Whether they were waiting their turn or listening to a friend, students realized that caring for their community required the same skills: attention, respect, and collaboration. Just like nurturing a tree, emotional growth takes time and effort, but the results—stronger communities and healthier relationships—are worth it. Through these real-world experiences, they began to see how heroism and stewardship are deeply connected, both grounded in the responsibility we hold for the world around us.

By integrating technology with nature through community participatory science, students collected data about their ecosystem while working directly in the field. Rather than distancing them from nature, technology enhanced their experience, giving them tools to better understand the delicate balance between human needs and the environment.

These kids aren’t just future caretakers of trees—they’re growing into advocates for a sustainable, thriving community. Even in moments of play, like "making it rain" to observe its effect on data, they discovered that real-world science can be both engaging and impactful. This blend of fun, academic rigor, and responsibility reflects how they’re preparing to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.

This summer, Baltimore’s systemically sidelined neighborhoods faced a combination of environmental challenges. The intense summer heat, coupled with high humidity can exacerbate asthma symptoms. Humid air traps irritants such as dust mites, mold, and pollen, all of which were present in abundance this summer​ (Verywell Health).

Additionally, the air quality in the broader Baltimore area ranked among the worst for ozone pollution in recent years, which further impacted those with respiratory conditions. Ozone smog and particulate matter, both harmful to lung health, tend to spike during hot weather, making outdoor air quality as much of a concern as indoor air quality. ​(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America).

Meanwhile, urban environments in East and West Baltimore also struggle with soil contamination, particularly the presence of lead, which has long been an issue due to the city’s aging infrastructure. Water quality in some school buildings remained a concern, particularly in the hot summer months when contaminants in older plumbing systems can become more prevalent​.

These InDiGO campers tackled these challenges head-on. They became neighborhood scientist-stewards, using their real-world environment as a classroom. They didn't hide from the heat—they confronted it, collecting data on hyperlocal ecosystems, engaging with the land, and learning how to care for their community despite difficult conditions. By blending science, stewardship, and heroism, they showed that staying cool, both literally and metaphorically, involves taking action and responsibility for their surroundings. Though, the misting spray bottles, water bottles, and oscillating sprinkler helped a lot! 

Creating garden signs to label the plants we’ve planted is more than a practical task—it’s a unifying experience​ that reflects the interconnected nature of the world. As children craft the signs, they build language skills while learning about the plants they’ve nurtured. They flex their artistic abilities to creatively design signs, adding beauty and personal expression to the garden.

This hands-on activity deepens their connection to nature, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for their school garden. By combining gardening, art, and spelling, making garden signs becomes a simple yet powerful way for children to connect with their environment alongside their peers, reinforcing their roles as caretakers of both the Earth and one another.

Check out the video below for context on our approach in concert with the city and the national network. 

& Druid Hill Park

This summer’s Forest Friday field trip to Druid Hill Park was more than just an outing—it marked the kickoff of Baltimore’s Nature Everywhere​ Initiative, spearheaded by InDiGO, in collaboration with the Baltimore Connecting Children to Nature Alliance. As we explored the park, we recognized the opportunity to extend conservation efforts beyond the incredible work of the zoo to make more of Baltimore's central park more child-friendly and welcoming.

While Druid Hill Park offers incredible natural spaces, our trip highlighted some critical needs, such as more shade, improved bathroom access, and more child-centered areas. Over 100 old-growth trees have been deemed unsafe and are scheduled for removal. Our upcoming tree planting and Nature Bridge installation events in 2025, in collaboration with the Forestry Division of Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, will directly address these issues by expanding the park’s canopy and making it a cooler, more inviting place for families and young learners.

The trip also underscored the importance of Forest Fridays, a program InDiGO leads to provide educational opportunities on summer Fridays, when Baltimore City Schools are closed. Through immersive, hands-on activities, children engaged as environmental stewards, observing their surroundings and noting areas for improvement, like trash and limited amenities. Rather than focus solely on the park’s challenges, the field trip became a driving force for change—strengthening our commitment to improving Druid Hill Park as a viable destination with child-centered areas and resources that help them connect to nature within the city. 

As Baltimore's Nature Everywhere Initiative kicks off and evolves over the next two years, InDiGO is leading efforts to make parks like Druid Hill more accessible and enriching for children. By planting trees, installing outdoor classrooms and natural playgrounds, removing invasive species to preserve our existing canopy, and fostering intentional stewardship, we are beginning the process of transforming Druid Hill Park and other green spaces across the city into thriving, child-safe and child-centered  environments. We aim to create spaces where children can connect with nature and learn to care for the world they will help shape.

Despite the heat, we stayed cool with popsicles, pavilions, misting spray bottles, lots of drinking water, and by weaving our way through the park beneath the best natural coolers—trees.

This summer, our Forest Friday trips took us from the heart of Baltimore City’s Druid Hill Park to the expansive natural spaces of Oregon Ridge in Baltimore County. Each park offered unique experiences, but the contrast between these two environments highlighted important gaps in how our city parks serve children.

Unlike county parks which come complete with rangers, full-time  stewardship staff, and educational programming staff, city parks like Druid Hill lack park rangers to guide visitors, promote safety, and offer outdoor learning experiences. The health of the trees in Druid Hill also reflected years of urban stress—heat islands, pollution, limited tree canopy growth, and vines choking and shrinking the forest edges. Trees across the East Coast are falling from invasive vines caused by human activity as we speak. It behooves us to not only invest in tree planting, but also to invest in maintaining our existing canopy. 

In contrast, Oregon Ridge is a county park with active park rangers and well-preserved ecosystems. From the raptor aviary to the meadows of native plants and protected creeks, the well-maintained trails and healthy tree canopy allowed our campers to hike comfortably and even enjoy a refreshing dip, reinforcing the importance of thriving green spaces.

These differences highlight the need for children in Baltimore City to experience all nine rights under the Baltimore Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights as a lived reality—from breathing fresh air to exploring forests and playing in safe, vibrant spaces. While city parks like Druid Hill provide essential access to nature, they must evolve to meet the needs of young explorers by offering the same care, protection, and education as county parks. Baltimore's Nature Everywhere initiative is focused on realizing this vision.

Lake Roland, formerly known as Robert E. Lee Park, was renamed in 2015 as part of Baltimore County’s effort to distance itself from Confederate associations and embrace inclusivity. Originally established in the 1850s as a reservoir, the park was named after General Robert E. Lee in the 1940s, during a period when many public spaces were named in honor of Confederate leaders. However, this name no longer reflected the values of the community or the park’s mission. The park, located entirely within Baltimore County, was transferred from Baltimore City’s management in 2009 as part of a long-term lease agreement to revitalize the neglected space​​ (Baltimore Fishbowl).

Since then, Lake Roland has undergone a transformation into a 500-acre nature preserve, complete with wetlands, hardwood forests, and serpentine barrens. The park now features educational programs led by knowledgeable naturalists and rangers, offering students the opportunity to participate in activities like stream studies and wildlife observation.

These changes, combined with the park’s new name, reflect an ongoing effort to make the park a more inclusive and enriching space, though it remains situated in a predominantly white neighborhood ​(RRLRAIA). Due to its proximity to the city and convenient access via the light rail, Lake Roland holds great potential for advancing Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) efforts by increasing access to nature for city and county children and their families.

The Piedmont Learning Center is adjacent to Gwynn Oak Park, a historic site in Baltimore’s Civil Rights Movement. After years of protests, the park was desegregated in 1963, with Sharon Langley making history as the first African American child to ride the park’s carousel on the same day as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s March on Washington. A memorial now commemorates this pivotal moment​ (Gilder Lehrman).

Click the video below to learn all about bees alongside our campers!

Throughout the school year and summer, students managed the school’s apiary with guidance from staff at Piedmont Learning Center. Given Arlington Elementary’s location at the intersection of the Jones Falls and Gwynn’s Falls watersheds, this place-based learning provided a rich platform for understanding the interconnectedness of watersheds and the essential role bees play in sustaining ecosystems.

On this Forest Friday field trip, students visited the Piedmont Learning Center, which borders the Gwynn’s Falls, for an immersive experience that deepened and unified the lessons they learned at school. Here, they witnessed firsthand how local ecosystems function and developed a more intimate understanding of their role as stewards of the environment. Working with the center’s apiary, they explored how local honey helps mitigate allergies and contains vital nutrients like antioxidants, enzymes, calcium, and potassium—critical elements for survival. This hands-on experience reinforced the environmental science they had studied, helping them connect classroom knowledge with real-world applications.

In addition to harvesting honey, the students engaged in outdoor activities such as feeding ducks and geese, building a fire, grilling hot dogs, making s’mores, and playing games like “squirrel tag” and “Jedi.” They painted bee boxes, murals, and contributed to environmental stewardship by planting a meadow of native plants provided by Wildside Nursery. This hands-on experience allowed them to connect their classroom lessons to the natural world, cultivating practical skills in environmental care.

Our culminating Forest Friday field trip took the students to Ultimate Watersports, where they experienced kayaking and paddleboarding for the first time on the tranquil waters of the Lower Gunpowder Falls River. These activities offered a unique chance to explore the connections between healthy watersheds and outdoor recreation. As they paddled along, students observed how the surrounding wetlands and waterways support both recreation and local wildlife, reinforcing their understanding of watershed health and conservation.

Click the video below to hear from one of the parents who joined our Ultimate Watersports Adventure

Beyond the thrill of boating, this trip highlighted deeper issues around equity in outdoor recreation. Many of the students had never had the opportunity to participate in water-based activities, exemplifying the barriers that exist for underserved communities. Across the country, access to outdoor recreation remains uneven, with marginalized groups—particularly low-income and urban populations—often facing obstacles such as limited transportation, costs, and inadequate access to green spaces​ (Baltimore Blueway)​(NRPA).

Water recreation organizations play an important role in breaking down these barriers, ensuring that children from all backgrounds can enjoy the physical, emotional, and educational benefits that come from spending time on the water. Thank you ULTIMATE WATER SPORTS!!! 

This trip wasn’t just about fun floating and swimming in natural waters—it was about giving students the chance to step beyond their everyday environments, challenge themselves, and understand that the outdoors belongs to everyone. Nature is everywhere and for everyone. Through programs like these, we can begin to close the gaps in outdoor recreation, creating opportunities for all children to connect with nature, have fun, stay cool, build confidence, and become stewards of the environment.

"The Ultimate Water Sports field trip was hands down the best field trip I’ve ever been on. For many of my students, it was their first time getting to experience something like kayaking and paddleboarding. Watching them step out of their comfort zones, try something completely new, and have so much fun was incredible. The confidence they gained from navigating the water was something they’ll carry with them, and I truly believe it was a transformative experience for all of them."

-Mr. Barrett, 3rd Grade Teacher

Since its founding in 2021, InDiGO has facilitated over 5,000 outdoor experiences for more than 1,500 unique individuals, helping children and families across Baltimore build meaningful connections with nature. The most transformative outdoor experiences are overnight camps, where children fully immerse themselves without the daily transitions between home and camp.

At Puh'tok Overnight Camp, 16 InDiGO campers got to go swimming every day, rock climbing, horseback riding, boating and learn survival skills. All 16 children relished the opportunity to step away from their city lives and make space for accelerated personal growth, healing, and resilience. Research consistently shows that extended time in nature supports mental well-being, fosters independence, and builds self-confidence​ (American Camp Association).​

At Puh'tok's day camp, 72 InDiGO campers enjoyed activities like swimming, archery, nature studies, games, and campfires. While day camps don’t offer the same depth of immersion as overnight camps, they still provide 30 to 40 hours of invaluable outdoor experiences each week. Campers had the chance to learn about the environment, build friendships, and enjoy the freedom of outdoor play in a vibrant forest. 

Click the video below to hear from a parent whose children attended both day and overnight camp this summer!

Puh'tok’s commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) is central to its mission. The camp actively hires former campers from Baltimore City as staff members, creating a more diverse leadership team and expanding access to children from a variety of backgrounds.

InDiGO played a key role by providing scholarships and sharing transportation costs with Puh'tok, making sure that children from different socio-economic backgrounds could access these transformative outdoor experiences. Thank you to the whole Puh'tok team! What a super  summer! Thank you to Moving History​ for an incredible special guest performance!

InDiGO’s mission of UNIFYING Education goes beyond connecting youth across cultures. It provides children from both city and county environments the chance to form friendships. City kids see the differences in county green spaces and bring back a vision of a healthier environment for their own neighborhoods.

Camps not only allow campers to learn from each other and their counselors but also help them develop skills like collaboration, empathy, and environmental stewardship. The immersive experiences at Puh'tok help children build lasting connections with nature and each other, reinforcing personal growth and a deeper commitment to caring for the environment.

Remembering our connection with nature has never been more important for a generation of children, or the next seven. The Seventh Generation Principle is based on an ancient Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) philosophy that the decisions we make today should result in a sustainable world seven generations into the future.

We are at a critical moment where the choices we make will shape the future for generations to come. The Seventh Generation Principle, rooted in Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) wisdom, reminds us to consider the impact of decisions we make today on the next seven generations. Now is our chance to correct our course, so future generations inherit a world where they can thrive—not just as caretakers of the environment, but as caretakers of their communities and themselves.

The real question we face is: What kind of planet are we leaving for our children, and what kind of children are we preparing for the planet? The future problem-solvers and leaders are in school today. Giving them access to nature and teaching them how interconnected they are with it is essential to building strong, healthy individuals and communities, not just a healthy planet.

The Baltimore Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights isn’t just about nature access—it’s about empowering children to become protectors of their environment, their communities, and themselves. Environmental education isn’t just about the outdoors; it’s about equipping children with the tools to lead, protect, and uplift the people around them, because when we protect the environment, we protect each other.

Providing children with clean water, air, and green spaces is critical to their health, education, and future. Investing in Baltimore’s green spaces means investing in children’s rights to live, learn, and grow in safe, nurturing environments. This requires a dedicated effort to restore the spaces where children live and play, so they can experience these rights in their own communities.

To truly support Maryland’s investment in education, we must equally invest in the environment, economy, and health. InDiGO is working hand-in-hand with youth, teachers, schools, government agencies, and community partners to turn the Baltimore Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights into a lived reality, preparing future generations to care for themselves, each other, and the world they will inherit.

Please support us by forwarding this newsletter to anyone you know who may be interested in or inspired by our work. We are building a network of young people, educators, and advocates to help us discover nature as our greatest teacher, healer, and classroom.

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