Some time ago, I was working on a presentation for teachers and searched out a few links. It reminded me that it is around 15 years since I got a phone call from Daniel Raven Ellison one evening about an idea he had that he thought I might like and want to get involved in starting...
There was a concern about how students were spending less time outside and there had been a number of books published about childhoods which were losing a connection with nature, and the idea of cotton-wool kids who weren't allowed to climb trees or do the things that we did when we were younger. The idea of nature deficit disorder was around.
There were also few ideas for parents to encourage their children to take a few more risks, and so we came up with Mission:Explore.
Dan Raven Ellison has outlined the history of Mission:Explore on his website. It's worth going there to take a look.
Here he is being interviewed on the Very Spatial Podcast in 2010.
Here's an audio of an interview with the SE1 folks. This was recorded on the Golden Hinde when we launched our first book, which also won a National Trust / Hay Festival Outdoor Book of the Year Award in 2010.
We've worked on a whole range of projects since then between us.
Dan has created Urban Earth, was behind the successful initiative to create the London National Park City, and also the Slow Ways network.
We also worked with National Geographic several times creating packs of activities for young people across the USA.
e.g.
See the wild Photograph places where ‘the wild’ is taking over ‘civilization’.
There is a conflict when wild plants and animals invade human environments. Weeds are just one example of this fight.
Go on an urban safari
Get on a bus and go on a wildlife safari. Photograph any animals you see. They can be real, made, named or imagined…
The urban jungle is full of animals. When you are doing this mission, think about how animals are used to symbolise different things.
Cross a place: walk, step, tread, pace, stride, strut, tiptoe, trip, skip, dance, leap, lumber, stamp, tramp, toddle, stagger, lurch, reel, stumble, limp, hobble, waddle, suffle shamble, dawdle…
The way we move can change how we feel about ourselves, other people and our envionment. Think about how you feel as you attempt this mission.
Antenna walk
Create an antenna hat. Walk towards things you are attracted to and away from those that repel you.
You can use your hat as an excuse to visit new places or talk to people you would not usually talk to.
We even found ourselves working with people at Microsoft's UK HQ
I'm delighted that Dan was able to join my GA Conference, albeit virtually.
Just over a week ago, we had the 12th anniversary of the publication of the original orange book. This was selected as one of the National Trust / Hay Festival Outdoor Books of the Year, and we were also shortlisted for Education Writer of the Year twice for our books.
Here's an image of the motherlode: the original 400+ missions
With National Fieldwork Week coming up, it's time to get the books out again...
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