Nature Nanny

Anam Cara Spiritual Visioning Network: Spiritual Resources & Community for Transformative Times

Nature Mentoring

NATURE MENTORING

CONNECTING CHILDREN

WITH THEIR NATURAL HABITAT

Parents are often too busy to bring their children to nature programs, and so, I will bring the nature programs to you! The next time your babysitter is sick, or you want to get out a bit during the day: Give me a call. If I’m available, I’ll be there! This service is just available on a substitute basis – it is not intended for long term care.

During our time together, I will help introduce your child to their back yard and neighborhood in ways they may have never discovered before. Or we’ll go to one of the many nature preserves or beaches on the North Fork. More than just naturalist education, my goal is to help awaken wonder in children, help them to fall in love with the natural world, and with themselves, and to have lots of fun while doing it. We’ll also integrate nature crafts, mentoring and life skills into our time together.

I offer a sliding scale hourly rate. If you think you’d like to take advantage of this offer, call me NOW, so I can meet your family ahead of time. I will come to your home, so that your children can become familiar with me, and I can get a sense of their interests and personalities. Then, when you have the need, just call, and I will do my best to be there for your family.

Family Brigid's Day Hike February 2006

Mill Road Preserve Old Growth Beech Forest

Fairy Houses in the Woods

Spirit of the Wind Carry Me Home To Myself

Wind Soul Child

Flying with the Wind

Cliff over LI Sound

Here is a little about my Nature Mentor background:

Jeanne Marie Merkel is the mother of 3 grown daughters and a passionate grandmother of three. Her mother founded the Pine Tree Day Nursery in Riverhead and so she has been immersed in early childhood education since the time she was 8 years old!

In her undergraduate work, Jeanne studied Early Childhood Education and Developmental Psychology and did her bachelor's thesis on "Nature in the Development of Self". This thesis looked at how a child's relationship with nature can help them develop a deeply grounded sense of self and an innate spirituality. It also articulated an inspiring model of nature mentoring that can be used by parents and by educators.

Jeanne also studied Religious Education and Interfaith Eco-theology as part of her Master of Divinity Degree at Union Theological Seminary, and has developed religious education curriculum and taught in 2 Unitarian Universalist Congregations. Her work with children in nature is inspired by the ideas of educator, Joseph Cornell, author of "Sharing the Joy of Nature" and "Sharing Nature with Children."

A life-long nature lover, hiker, and amateur naturalist, Jeanne delights in sharing her knowledge and enthusiasms with young and old alike. She leads monthly Full Moon Beach Walks from May through October. She also completed a year-long training program in Indigenous Life Ways with Cathy Pedevillano and has engaged in two transformative Vision Quests (in Vermont & Ireland). Jeanne is a Grandmother and Mentor, and is passionate about nurturing mothers and families and inspiring respect and protection for the Earth we all cherish.

Anam Cara Spiritual Visioning Network:

Spiritual Resources & Community

for Transfomative Times

Jeanne Marie Merkel, M.Div

PO Box 371, Mattituck, NY 11952 631-298-8604