Three alumni facilitated the monthly Children’s Forest Walk in Carrington Bay Regional Park — an inclusive adventure of discovery, informally led by the kids who attend each outing — on Aug. 1. 

Christine Robinson is co-founder of the Forest Trust For The Children Of Cortes Island Society (FTCCIS) and has been on the board of directors since its inception more than 11 years ago. She explains the role the Children’s Forest Walks play in the overall vision of FTCCIS.

The monthly walks welcome everyone but are led by the kids who turn up. Photo courtesy of Forest Trust for the Children of Cortes Island Society (FTCCIS)

“They're always educational, but never from a very directed perspective. The walks are children-led, and children have such an acute sense of observation. They notice far more than we as adults do.”

When the kids make discoveries, Robinson explained the educational steps that follow. 

"They call everybody back and we pull the guidebooks out and either try to identify or ask leading questions about what it is they're seeing. I think those are all really important observation skills that expand our senses, that we all benefit from, whether it's child or adult.”

Robinson also sees that on Cortes, people and families, “have an especially strong nature-based culture, we have that infused in our lives... These walks serve to reinforce that."

She added that today's environment concerns make the walks even more relevant.

"I think in this day and age, with all of the challenges that are facing us globally, that particular important point can't be emphasized enough. It's a critically essential activity and component of being healthy — in all aspects of our lives," she said. 

Other invaluable life skills the children learn is a sense of stewardship and leadership.

These events take place the first Sunday of every month, with the next being Sept. 5. All are welcome, with the understanding that the walks are for and by the children, so the “little legs will dictate how far we get.”