Led by Special Education Paraprofessional Cat Lee, Reach for Nature meets several times a month to provide students with a sanctuary in the outdoors. The program is made possible through a long standing partnership with Camptown Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to challenging and mentoring young people through outdoor adventure. Their mission is simple yet profound: to build confidence, character, and hope through the healing power of the natural world.
The impact of this work is visible in the eyes of the students as they swap their screens for fishing rods and hiking boots. Camptown provides hands-on experiences with fishing, camping, and hiking, ensuring that every student has the gear and guidance they need to succeed. Throughout the year, the group embarks on overnight camping trips that take them far beyond the city limits. They have felt the mist of the Great Smoky Mountains, walked the sandy ridges of the Indiana Dunes, explored various state parks, and even tackled the rushing white water of the Rocky Mountains.
Cat sees the transformation firsthand. She notes that the students in this group get to have new experiences that they might not otherwise have access to. By stepping into the wilderness, students begin to see the world and their own potential from a completely different angle. The benefits are backed by science but felt in the heart. Being in nature helps with attention restoration and stress reduction. It provides a sense of perspective and improved physical health that is hard to find in a concrete environment.
For students like Arlet, a junior at Indy Met, the program is a source of simple, pure joy. She is one of 23 students currently in the club who have discovered a sense of belonging in the great outdoors. While casting a fishing line into the water, she reflected on how much she missed the sport. "I used to fish a lot but haven’t for a long time," she said. "It’s nice to do it again and just be outside with everyone." Beyond the activities, the social bonds are what stick. Arlet shared that she enjoys making new friends in the group and having dedicated time to hang out with them while learning new things.
Whether it is the "awe" of a vast landscape or the quiet beauty of a star-filled sky, Reach for Nature is proving that the wilderness is a powerful teacher. It reminds these young people that they are capable of bravery, discovery, and growth. Most importantly, it reminds them that the world is wide, and it belongs to them, too.
Now enrolling! If you’d like more information about Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, please visit our website at https://indianapolismet.org/ or call 317-524-4000.