I have performed in a wide variety of venues but it is the outdoor venue with nature as the setting, where the most magic occurs. You don’t have to use so much imagination when you can hear the birds, the rippling waters, smell the sycamores after a rain or read a set of fresh tracks left by the creeks edge. This camp hosted by the Upper Gila Watershed Alliance gave a small group of students the opportunity to camp for a week on the banks of a Gila River tributary at the Gila National Forest Grapevine Campground. They learned a series of woodcraft skills, worked on nature journaling and sketching their experiences and impressions and the values of the nature experience. So much of that experience is learning to be comfortable in a natural setting. 

Aldo’s contribution was to join them sitting around an evening campfire and share some of his own experiences and to encourage the students and adults to share their nature stories.  We heard a wide, fascinating range of stories which always seems to trigger memories and make it much easier to share those memories with others around the flickering flames of a campfire, The chance to renew those feelings of joy and wonder is always embraced and hopefully becomes a habit as we all travel this journey we are on. It was a wonderful evening and one that will be cherished by all.