A Walk with a Hawk

Admittedly, the first two days haven’t had as much outdoor time as I would have liked. It is assessment season and with report cards a few weeks away, we’ve been collecting information about the progress the students have made since September.

While seeing their progress is exciting and rewarding, nothing is as rewarding as watching them in their element: out in nature hard at play.

This afternoon was no exception.

After a busy, data-filled, number crunching day, we wrapped up on the trail. While most kids were climbing trees and enjoying the snow, one gentleman stayed a little behind with his head in the skies. He had noticed something.

He excitedly called me over and informed me of a solitary hawk stoically settled on the top of a bare oak tree. Another boy overheard and ventured over with me as we took a look. Within seconds of spotting the majestic bird, it took off and soared to another tree a few hundred feet away.

The walk with a hawk had officially started!

For the remainder of our time outside, these two boys followed their new hawk friend around. Seeing the bird soar was impressive. But not nearly as much as watching the boys light up as they followed it around.

This is the kind of moment that makes the data-collection bearable. This is the magic of taking kids outside.