Canal Winchester girl is featured on Discovery + outdoors show
CANAL WINCHESTER — Lots of children enjoy being outdoors. But the outdoors is a way of life for 11-year-old Kiala Dean.
She is featured in the Discovery + streaming service show "An American Story." Kiala's episode is titled "Ohio: The Naturalist."
The company filmed the show in December 2020 and released it in October after producers saw her father, Kevin's, YouTube channel that featured Kiala on the family's 10-acre property. It took two days to film the segment.
"It was just really fun," Kiala said. "The camera crew came out and they were all really nice. It was two cameramen and a sound guy, and we had a really good time. It was just so much fun. It was just a really neat experience."
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The showed featured Kiala in a variety of outdoor activities, including making a backpack made of wood, starting a fire, sitting in one of her favorite outdoor spots drawing in her sketchbook and more.
She said she hopes the show prompts people to get away from technology a little bit and explore nature more.
"It's just so magical," Kiara said of nature. "There's just so many things you can do out there. Some of my favorite things in nature is just exploring the wild animals. There was a wild bunny. She was just a tiny little baby bunny. I picked her up one day. She trusted me. Now she just hangs around the chicken coup. The chickens and her are now friends and I love seeing her."
Kiala has a bow and arrow and also enjoys shooting.
"I don't get the target all the time," she said of shooting. "But I do love it."
Kiala said she felt inspired from seeing herself on television.
"I hope that other people that watch it also feel inspired and just want to get out," she said. "Really just take in nature. Just feel nature around you."
Kiala became interested in nature around 4 years old. She also helps her father teach students at his nature school, the Tawodi Nature School. The school sits on the family's property. Students learn outdoor survival skills with a nature connection.
Kiala suggested setting aside some time for a nature walk.
"It could be at a park or anywhere," she said.
Kiala said the spring is her favorite time of the year.
"Because a lot of babies are born," she said. "I've seen fawns, I've seen baby birds. And the wild plants are out so I can make salads with those."
Kiala wants to become a veterinarian when she gets older.
"I just want to be with animals and try to help them," she said.
Kevin Dean was certainly impressed by his daughter's appearance on the show.
"Even knowing her I'm inspired," he said. "The show inspires me. They did a great job with the whole thing and showing her love for nature. I hope other people see that as well of how she attuned to the natural world. She has a lot to teach kids and adults both."
jbarron@gannett.com
740-304-9296
Twitter: @JeffDBarron
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Canal Winchester girl is featured on Discovery + outdoors show
