As the weather heats up, you might be itching to get outside to try something new and exciting. Here are five fun ways to enjoy the outdoors and make the most of spring and summer.
1. Try Beekeeping
Bees are such unique creatures, and they provide one of the sweetest treats. Why not try beekeeping? Caring for your own colony is simpler than you might think, and it offers a host of benefits for both you and the environment.
Before you dive into harvesting honey, make sure you study everything you need to know about bees. Read books and talk with local beekeepers. Once you’re ready to set up a hive, connect with beekeeping organizations so they can help you.
Bees will significantly boost your garden’s health. Additionally, besides the honey you’ll get, you can use other bee products, like wax and the honeycomb. If you’re not quite ready to take on a whole colony, you can support bees and still get outside by planting flowers and plants to help the local community.
2. Go Hunting
Another fun way to enjoy the outdoors is through hunting. You’ll spend hours in the woods, taking in all the sights, sounds and smells. There’s excitement and nervousness as you prepare to harvest an animal for the first or even 100th time.
Hunting goes back centuries. People used to rely on it as a method of survival. While some still hunt to gather food, others do so for recreational purposes. It naturally controls wildlife populations, and it is a natural and humane method of getting food.
Ensure you properly treat every weapon you handle and take a hunter’s safety course before heading into the woods. Additionally, check with your local and state regulations on the legality of your outing. There are limited times when you can hunt certain animals, and there are also regulations on what type of firearms you can use.
3. Learn the Basics of Foraging
If you love food and the outdoors, then this one's for you. Did you know that so many of the plants surrounding you are actually edible? You just need to learn the basics of foraging in your area. You can get deliciously fresh foods for free.
Some communities even offer foraging classes. Sign yourself up for a class and bring a friend along. You’ll get to spend time in a forest, seeking food just like your ancestors. You’ll get to add all sorts of new flavors to your traditional meals.
When you forage, you’re gaining more than food and nutrition. People who do this have a different perspective on their surroundings and appreciate Mother Nature in new ways. Take caution when foraging, though, as some plants may look similar, and you want to ensure what you’re picking is edible.
4. Bathe in the Forest
This doesn’t mean you have to haul a clawfoot tub out into the woods. That would be a bit over the top, although it would make for a fun new way to enjoy the outdoors. Forest baths are much easier to achieve, and you don’t need a tub to do it.
Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is a traditional Japanese practice. The idea is that you walk through a forest or meditate in the woods, taking in all your surroundings. Immerse yourself in all the sights, sounds and smells. It’s a truly relaxing experience and is free of charge.
If you live near a forest, you’re in luck. Get in there and take a forest bath. If not, head to a local park, garden or even your own backyard. The central part of forest bathing is taking in all the aromatics, so to truly experience it, close your eyes and take deep breaths.
5. Hike Through the City
When you hear hiking, you probably picture someone with a big backpack, sturdy shoes and a sizable mountain ahead of them. However, you don’t need to head to the hills to take a hike. Instead, go on an urban trek through your hometown.
Bring a friend with you, and slowly walk through the streets you drive down every day. Things look different when you take the time to walk rather than zoom past on your way to work or an appointment. Take in all of the sights, scents and sounds.
Use caution when crossing streets, and figure out a path before you head out so you can hit up a restaurant you’ve been dying to try or go into a local store you want to check out. Just like a hike in the woods, make sure to take some water to stay hydrated.
Get Out There and Enjoy
Spring and summer are the perfect time to get outdoors and breathe in that fresh air. What new adventure are you going to try this year?
Author Bio: Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded, where he writes about fitness, the outdoors and more. Follow him on Twitter @TModded for frequent updates!
