When you look back on childhood, it’s often Mother Nature who provides your most cherished memories. Perhaps it’s fishing with granddad, camping out with friends or planting your own garden? No matter, the great outdoors is God’s gift to us.
Recently, members of The Oconee Senior Center shared their recollections of how nature has shaped their lives with a younger generation. Code Academy students – with direction from Clemson University undergrads – interviewed seniors to gain a perspective that only a lifetime of living can reveal.
Clemson student Sarah Colwell, who was in charge of directing the interviews, describes the project.
“We took 7th-10th graders to the senior center near Code Academy to let them experience what it was like to be involved in an interview process. Our team created a guideline of questions about nature for the Code students to ask, but the Code students were completely able to expand on anything they thought was interesting or ask their own questions regarding nature or just on life experiences in general. It was an all-around success from both the student and the senior point of view!”
Colwell recalls two stories that particularly made an impression on the younger students.
“The first one was an interview with a woman who had been to over 125 countries! She told us about how much other cultures cherish nature and how different cultures are from the culture of the United States and from each other. I know the students were absolutely enthralled by her stories!”
“The second interview was with a woman who grew up on a farm with ten siblings. They had no parental figures in their lives, and because of her family’s circumstances she was unable to finish high school. She told us about the ways nature let her be free from all the struggles inside her house. She was very inspiring. Although she has not yet received her high school diploma, she is planning on going back to the adult education center to finally get it. She also was very insistent on talking to the Code students about how lucky they are to receive an education.”
Steve Smith, an Oconee Senior Center Member, said the interviews were beneficial for the seniors as well.
“All the seniors interviewed said they enjoyed the time with young people. I know the students were surprised to talk with someone who lived without electricity as a child! Our seniors were willing to participate, and all said it was an enjoyable time. One of our members even ended up as a volunteer when the students go on hikes.”
The interview experience indeed proved to be rewarding for everyone involved. In fact, students and seniors have now planted a raised garden together at the senior center. Foods include: rosemary, kale, sage, broccoli, collards, basil, and coneflowers (to keep bugs away).
Oconee Senior Center Manager, Deborah Cobb, thinks student involvement has added a new sense of enthusiasm to the center.
“I was pleasantly surprised to see how active our seniors became with the project. They enjoyed sharing their experiences looking back on life, and I think that’s what led them to actually planting the garden. I think, too, that having a younger generation involved adds a little fun for everyone.”
Dr. Cheryl Dye, Director of the Clemson University Institute for Engaged Aging, shares the same sentiments.
“We feel we have made significant progress toward meeting our goal of increasing nature experiences for older adults through these activities and have also achieved the more global goals of the Institute for Engaged Aging by providing opportunities for older adults to be meaningfully engaged in community life.”
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