The whisperings were becoming louder as the day stretched out, something was going to happen. That was sure, but the nature of the whispers was still too quiet to be heard over the general chat of the day. Then it happened. It was a shout that would have shaken all the crows and sparrows and magpies from the trees!

One of the Explorer Award candidates had missed some sessions and was a number of hours down. I suggested to her that she could possibly do some conservation work at home or simply go for a walk in her local park or some other wild place. She seemed to be listening to what was being said. When she returned after the holidays she presented me not only with a list of local places she had visited, but with photographs mounted on paper with comments about what she had been doing. The best part of all the extra work she had completed was that she had taken her family with her, and she had explained to them about discovering wild places, that they could be anywhere, and that they could be enjoyed by all and not just candidates studying for the awards!

Discovery, exploration, and sharing, all on her own doorstep!