Photos courtesy of Twin Eagles Wilderness School
There is a profound magic that happens when children step away from modern noise and immerse themselves in the wild. Deep nature connection often hides in the quietest mysteries.
One year at one of our Twin Eagles Summer Adventure Camps, our mentor and nature guide, Ben, found his spare roll of toilet paper chewed and frayed. In our fast-paced world, one might simply assume a critter ruined their supplies. However, we view these synchronicities as rich opportunities for connection and learning.
When gathering the children, Ben opened the community drum bag and found the missing paper packed into a fluffy nest. Brushing away the fluff, he uncovered eight newborn deer mice. Their skin seemed to glow, pulsing with fragile heartbeats. He carefully brought the drum to the circle, unveiling the mystery. As the children stared in wonder, their expanded awareness was palpable.
Ben knew this observation had to be paired with empathy. Wearing gloves to mask his scent, he invited the children to walk quietly into the woods to build an insulated shelter for the baby mice. The children imagined the mother’s tireless efforts the night before: gathering a mouthful of paper, scurrying across camp in the dark, and traveling back and forth countless times to provide for her family.
As Ben placed the babies in their new bed, he locked eyes with the mother deer mouse for an unforgettable moment before slowly backing away to leave them in peace.
When we help youth slow down and notice the unseen efforts of others, we help them shift from seeing the unexpected as an inconvenience to embracing compassion. This mutual care transforms children from passive observers into active, thoughtful leaders.
My partner and I brought a dream to life over 20 years ago when we founded Twin Eagles Wilderness School in Sandpoint, Idaho. Today, we invite children ages 6-13 across the Inland Northwest to experience deep nature connection and hands-on guided mentoring like this.
For 2026, our popular week-long Summer Adventure Day and Overnight Camps run from June 8 to August 14 and are held 100% outdoors in beautiful wilderness areas around Sandpoint, Coeur d’Alene, Priest River, and Spokane.
Nature has a profound way of teaching us what it means to belong. By giving our children the space to step away from the modern rush and discover the quiet magic of the woods, we aren’t just teaching them outdoor skills—we are nurturing the next generation of compassionate caretakers. I hope your family will join us in the wild this summer as we continue to listen for those tiny heartbeats.
Jeannine Tidwell is the Co-Founder and Director at Twin Eagles Wilderness School. Visit www.twineagles.org to learn more.
