Facebook shows me pictures of sunrises, while I am still under the covers, reading in bed. Some of my friends are already out there, in the big world, outside. Shouldn’t I also be?

I enjoy being outside in all of Maine’s seasons. I get out there almost every day. I’m outside more than the vast majority of Americans, who reportedly spend an average of only 7 percent of their time outside. But I’d like to get outside earlier in the day. I’d like to more fully live the truth that there is no bad weather, just poor clothing choices. With the right gear and the right attitude, any day can be experienced as a wonder. I also know that all those hours inside, crooking my neck at one screen or another, aren’t that good for my body. Or my spirit. My job as a public school teacher doesn’t get to be an excuse. I don’t need to wait retirement to get outside more; I can do it now.

With the above thoughts in mind, I started thinking about how I could challenge myself and maybe inspire a few others to get outside more — and the idea for “The Basin Pond Challenge: A Year Outside” was born.

Here are the details of the Basin Pond Challenge. You can tweak the rules and start your year outside on any date.
–-an hour outside each day for a year
–One “new-to-me“ natural place each week
–One sunrise and one moonrise each month
–Take photos, bring others along, have fun!

Track our Year Outside / Photos:
The Basin Pond Challenge: A Year Outside

For more reading:
“U.S. Study Shows Widening Disconnect with Nature . . . “
“The Nature of Americans”