This past weekend, I went on a field trip with the Front Range Nature Journal Club for the first time in six months. Because our club’s membership covers a large stretch of northeastern Colorado, our outings can be located hours away. As an introvert, it’s easy to think I don’t need to belong to a group or attend a meeting, but I really enjoyed this field trip. I made surprising discoveries and laughed a lot, but the biggest gift of the day was remembering some of the reasons I belong to this group in the first place.
I get to spend time with people who are as curious about the natural world as I am.
Not everyone would enjoy the museum we visited. The Museum of Earth Science is small, part of the Colorado School of Mines, taking up only part of a building. Upstairs are lots of glass cases displaying rocks and minerals, plus information on mining history and tools. Downstairs is a little more lively, with some hands-on displays for kids, a dark mine “tunnel,” and the Miss Colorado tiara in a glass-fronted safe. Compared with a big city, big-budget science museum, it is quaint.
In fact, the woman who organizes our club events was apologetic, afraid that we would be bored or unimpressed. We all assured her we loved it, because we all found things to wonder about. But the best part of discovering new things is having someone to share them with.
Club meetings help me to go places and do things.
Until this trip, I had never even heard of the museum. I certainly wouldn’t have gone there without someone else inviting me — and I would have missed out. Even though I don’t really know much about geology, I loved it. I spent half my time in the “paleo” corner with the fossils of ancient creatures. But even the time I spent drawing crystals got me excited.
I learn so much from other members.
I want to index my journals so I can quickly lay my hands on things when I think of them. Two of them already have hand-written indexes, but I want a single location where all the information is stored.
After talking over my analog options with a club member, I realized I will be much better off with a digital spreadsheet, even though I love paper and pen. I like to alphabetize things, and analog is not flexible enough. I wouldn’t have realized that if I hadn’t been able to talk this problem through with someone who knew what I was trying to do and why.
Group gatherings help me to actually journal.
When I checked my nature journal to make sure I had my dates right for the beginning of this post, I realized that all the entries since September are from online sessions I had with my club. Having outside accountability helps me to stick with the things I know I want to do but struggle to do on my own.
I think the right group can help anyone grow a skill or interest, but as an introvert, it’s the last thing I think of doing. I’m all for reading a book or watching a video, but nothing helps me as much, or brings me as much joy, as connecting with other people who are interested in the same things I am.
What group has helped you with your interest?
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