Every Thursday afternoon, a group of Sanford High School students gather with sketchbooks in hand to slow down, step outside, and connect with the natural world around them. Welcome to the Nature Journal Club offered at the high school.
The club was started two years ago by wildlife biology teacher Lindsay Strout, who noticed that a handful of her students had a genuine hunger for nature observation that extended beyond the classroom. She wanted to give students an outlet that wasn't sports, theater, or traditional art club. "There's got to be somewhere, something else for them," she said. This year, the club has seen its largest group yet, with students ranging from freshmen to seniors.
On any given Thursday, you might find students sketching insects, pressing leaves onto light-sensitive paper to create cyanotype prints, carving rubber stamps, or following the trail behind Sanford High School to check on local beaver activity along the river. In the fall and spring, the group ventures outside to explore the school's trails, catch frogs near the vernal pool, or simply sit quietly and observe.
Nature journaling is less about artistic skill and more about observation and recording. "It's not about the pretty pictures," Lindsay explains. "It's more about connecting with nature, observing, and recording."
Students are encouraged to write down what they see and what catches their eye, with no required format and no wrong answers. Lindsay brings that same passion to her own practice, regularly connecting with a wider nature journaling community and attending conferences to deepen her craft.
SHS student Esther Bronwyn spoke to the sense of community Strout has built. "Her room is awesome, all the things that she's made and collected are fun to look at," she said. "It's really cool that she brings kids in."
Students also help shape what happens in the club. When one student came in working on a rubber block printing project, Lindsay immediately invited them to teach the technique to the whole group. No one is told what to draw or how to draw it, and students can even create their own handmade journals, giving each member a sense of ownership over their work.
The club is open to any Sanford High School student and meets every Thursday after school. No prior art experience or science background is required, just curiosity and a willingness to spend some time outside.
Fellow club member Emma Cormier put it simply: "This is a club that I really adore. I'm probably going to come back as long as Ms. Strout continues the club."