Pack some water, put on your sunscreen, and get moving this summer to appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds us all. Whether you live right outside a national park or in the heart of a major city, you can discover a unique corner of the world to explore. Fun and friendly Meetup groups are appreciating nature every day, with events ranging from low-key hikes and competitive spikeball to beach clean-ups and so much more.
1. Take a casual hike with new friends
If you’re new to hiking, it may seem daunting to go on a rigorous journey through mountain trails. However, hiking groups can be accessible to all skill levels, and there are plenty of enjoyable hikes around the world that don’t require any technical climbing. Often, hiking simply means taking an easy uphill walk on a well-traveled path through a beautiful landscape.
For example, Denver’s popular Trails and Ales Meetup group typically organizes several hikes each month, and always makes clear the difficulty level of each one. With nearly 13,000 members, this group explores everything from serene lakesides and forests to more challenging crags and canyons.
Some hikers walk basically nonstop until they complete their loop, but others hike to a pretty spot and chill out with food and drinks. The So Cal Happy Hour Hiking & Backpacking group has a signature hike to Echo Mountain for a fun happy hour potluck.
2. Enjoy one of the fastest-growing outdoor hobbies: birdwatching
The popularity of birdwatching increased dramatically during the pandemic, and it continues to soar. If you live near a body of water or a wooded area, you could spot many different varieties of birds that flock to your area. Even if you live in a major city, urban birding is a great way to discover some of the unique animal life that often goes unnoticed in a busy metropolis.
If the BirdingAroundNYC Meetup group is able to spot, identify, and photograph all kinds of birds throughout the hustle and bustle of New York, surely you can do some successful birdwatching just about anywhere. Birdwatching combines the simple, stress-relieving joy of nature walks with the opportunity to educate yourself and meet others who share a common interest. Plus, birdwatching is great for all ages.
3. Discover a true appreciation for nature by keeping it clean
One of the best ways to develop a deeper understanding and a more profound enjoyment of the great outdoors is by making an effort to preserve natural landscapes and habitats. There are many behind-the-scenes actions you can take to reduce your impact on the environment, like recycling and composting, using fewer single-use plastics, reducing your consumption of animal products, and more.
However, if you want to take an active role in preservation while enjoying some stunning scenery, you can volunteer to help pick up trash at an affected area near you. For example, the North County Beach Clean Up group near San Diego has nearly 2,300 members who comb Moonlight State Beach for harmful litter on the third Saturday of every month. After a few hours of service, they kick back and relax on the newly-cleaned beach with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
4. Stay in shape and soak up some sun with outdoor sports
A little friendly competition is an excellent motivation for getting yourself out of the house and into the warm weather. Whether you’re an athlete in training or a casual player, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor games and sports—even some you may never have tried before! Here are a few Meetup outdoor sports groups you can join, or take inspiration from:
- Portland Grass Volleyball
- South Austin Soccer
- Santa Monica Spikeball
- Brooklyn Softball (CO-ED)
- Pickleball in Chicago
- Eastside Flag Football Meetup Group
Create your own nature-based Meetup group
If you don’t see any events in your area that fit your particular outdoor interest, you can easily create your own Meetup group. As an organizer, you can inspire others to appreciate nature through your favorite hobbies, workouts, sports, games, walks, or anything else that connects you with the Earth.
Last modified on November 1, 2023
