Happy National Get Outdoors Day: 4 ways to celebrate inside this year

With summer officially around the corner and unofficially here, there is no better time to celebrate National Get Outdoors Day. This event, held annually on the second Saturday of June, is meant to encourage people to engage with the outdoors. If there’s one thing you probably know from reading my blog, it’s that, in addition to lists, I love national days. There’s literally a day for everything (it’s on August 3). So of course I jumped on the opportunity to write about this national day.

When I first started drafting this post, I was going to take it in a different direction, but for the past couple of days it has been very hard to be outside and it’s not looking like it’s going to get better by the weekend. Smoke from massive wildfires in Canada, which so far have burned 8.7 million acres (for reference that’s larger than the state of Vermont), has been covering the air. I’m from outside Philly, and the past couple days the air has reeked (it smells like burning plastic to me) and is hazy with an orange, grey smog.

It is deeply upsetting, but now more than ever it is important to recognize the value of nature and double down on our commitment to protect it. So here are four ways you can celebrate this National Get Outdoors Day, all of which can also be done indoors ;))

Take a Hike

The most obvious thing to do on National Get Outdoors Day is to get outdoors. Summer’s a great time to go exploring and find some new trails. I personally like TrailLink. It lets you search trails by zip code and then gives photos and info on each hike. This is especially helpful when you’re heading somewhere new. You could also check out a local, state, or national park. In PA our state parks are free but if you’re from elsewhere, some National Forests might offer a “fee free” day this weekend. If you can’t get outside, look out a window (lol) or go on a scenic drive. Get creative. Go to your gym, get on the stair stepper, put on a video of a nature trail, and pretend you’re hiking. Bonus: this can also be done with a bike.

Do Some Gardening

I’m in a big gardening phase right now and writing as someone who put off gardening for years, it’s easier than you think. I’m a big fan of growing things you’ll use. Herbs, lettuce, carrots, beans/peas, and tomatoes are pretty easy ones to start. You don’t even need fancy garden beds – use planters or upcycle containers to use as pots. This is also great because it allows you to grow the plants inside if you need. Then you just need soil! It is estimated that a $70 investment in a garden can have up to a $530 pay off! Once you get the hang of it you can start messing around with companion plants, garden location, cool season vs. warm season plants, and more.

Green Volunteer

Another way to celebrate is through green volunteering. Check out your local watershed, national parks, local gardens and other natural spaces to see where help is needed. These organizations are often understaffed and appreciate the extra support. It’s a great way to make a difference in your community. You can participate by signing environmental petitions, participating in stream clean ups, and planting trees. If volunteering outside isn’t in the cards see if you can be of service digitally. Offer to help with social media, email campaigns, or letter writing.

Learn Something New

When you’re educated on the problem, you can better contribute to the solutions. L.L. Bean, REI and too many others to list offer outdoor discovery courses so you can pick up a new skill or just get outside with a group. Similarly, you could do your own research. Go to the library and take out a book on an environmental topic. Spend the day curled up on your couch catching up on the latest trends in sustainability. If this sounds like homework, don’t stress – you could also watch educational videos on YouTube or TikTok (I really like @ReLauren), or a nature documentary.

While National Outdoors Day might only happen once a year, making a point to get outside, give back, and continue to learn should be a year-long commitment. Incorporate these into your daily routines as opposed to limiting them to a once a year holiday. I’m making it a point to be grateful for all the green space my community has access to this weekend.