About us
Most of us move through nature quickly, passing by without really noticing what’s there.
Coastal + Creek is a guided nature journaling club designed to help you slow down, look more closely, and spend time with the details that are easy to miss.
It’s for those who feel drawn to the natural world—whether that’s noticing birds, watching insects, following seasonal changes, or simply wanting to pay closer attention to what’s around them.
We meet in local coastal and creek environments and spend time with what’s often overlooked: the small details, patterns, and subtle changes that only show up when you pause.
During each session, we use nature journaling — a practice of observing and recording what you notice using a mix of sketches, words, and simple notes. There’s no pressure to draw well or write anything a certain way. The goal is to stay with what you’re noticing and capture what stands out to you.
Over time, this practice helps you stay in a moment long enough to make a connection; with your child, your partner, or something in nature.
Instead of moving quickly from one thing to the next, you begin to notice more, pause before responding, and become more receptive, open, and aware of what’s in front of you.
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What a Session Looks Like
• a short opening prompt to focus attention
• time to explore and observe a small area
• quiet journaling (words, sketches, or notes)
• optional reflection at the end
The level of guidance and pacing will vary depending on the session.
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Two Types of Meetups
Family Nature Journaling (Connection + Attention)
These sessions are designed for adults and children participating together—such as parents and children or other adult–child pairs.
Family sessions are more guided and interactive, with a focus on helping both adults and children build attention and connection together.
We begin with a short, structured exercise that shows how to support attention in real time. This might include:
• asking open-ended noticing questions
• taking a moment to settle before engaging
• observing something side by side before discussing it
As the session unfolds, I guide the group in small ways—helping participants stay with an observation a little longer, notice additional details, and return to focus when attention shifts.
Adults participate alongside children throughout the session.
This experience works best when adults are actively engaged, since attention is built through shared participation (not delivered as an activity).
These sessions are active and shared, and may include movement, conversation, and gentle redirection as part of the experience.
Group size: typically 5–8 families (10–16 participants total)
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Quiet Nature Journaling (Focus + Practice)
These sessions are designed for teens and adults who want a quieter, more self-directed experience.
We begin with a short exercise to reduce pressure and support observation—such as gesture drawing or continuous line work—to shift attention back to the subject rather than the page.
From there, the session opens into longer periods of observation and journaling, with minimal guidance and more space for independent focus.
These sessions tend to feel slower and quieter, allowing participants to settle in, observe more deeply, and stay with their work without interruption.
Group size: typically 6–15 participants
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What You’ll Get Out of It
• stronger, more sustained attention over time
• the ability to notice more detail and stay with something longer
• a simple way to slow down and reset outdoors
• for families: more meaningful, shared moments of connection
• for individuals: a quiet, structured space to focus without pressure
• a community of people who share an interest in paying closer attention to the natural world
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Locations + Travel
We rotate through coastal and creek locations within 20–30 minutes of Cerritos and the surrounding Long Beach / North Orange County area.
Some locations may involve short walks to a journaling spot, but no strenuous hiking is required.
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What to Bring
• a notebook or journal
• pencil
• water
• comfortable outdoor clothing
Upcoming events
No upcoming events
