Nature Journaling at Shenandoah River State Park

On April 12, 2026,  20 Shenandoah University students set off for Shenandoah River State Park for a Collaborative Outing with SU’s Nature Journaling Club (NJC). To start our time in the park, the NJC provided participants with journals and art supplies and led us in a meditative hour of reflection. Students were encouraged to hike around to a place that felt inspiring to them to sketch the natural features or journal whatever they found fulfilling. 

After a picnic lunch together, we set off for our afternoon hike on the Point Loop Trail to Wildcat Ridge. Students bonded over the challenging incline nearing the ridge and were met with a rewarding view of the Shenandoah River Valley. The timing and location of this outing were chosen in the hopes of catching the bluebells during their short spring debut. Though we missed the window by a short bit, we were surrounded by other beautiful wildflowers, and everyone was so excited to find one bluebell plant during our hike’s descent. 

To end the day, we stopped at Culler’s Overlook for a group picture. From there, we could see the entirety of the hike we just completed and looked on with a sense of pride and accomplishment. The students returned to campus with fond memories, a refreshed spirit, and a new journal to bring on their next outdoor adventure.