The togetherness, quiet solitude, earthy smells with a slow pace and yet so much to do. When we go camping the days s t r e t c h out while adventure is everywhere. There is a lot to know about when you want to be truly in a wild place.
We got a chance to practice some of these skills today. What did you try in the morning? Were you part of the ultimate food hang lift? (50lbs of bird seed) Did you build a campfire or practice the cardinal directions? (N, S, E,W)
Coyote LOVES dreaming up new games. Today’s game was, Survival Challenge. We had to race to get the five important things we needed before darkness fell. What did each token stand for? Were there some dangers trying to stop you? Talk about how successful you were at being all set for camping before dark. Are there any new ways we are planning to add twists in this game?
The cabin was buzzing at snack time while we read, When We Camping, a beautiful book Beaver brought to share. Everyone was trying to spot the hidden ‘shadow’ animals, identify the ones in the scene, and match the animal tracks. Do you recall any of the animal tracks and can you show their shape on paper? This book is SO worth multiple reads and eye wanders through its pages of detailed paintings.
Our mission today was to scout out a new site for a winter shelter. What were the eight (8) ‘must haves’ that we were looking out for? Were there some special extras that just ‘sold’ your site as the VERY BEST?
Daisy thinks Chickadee should go into real estate. We agree!!!
Being able to eat lunch outside at this time of year is such a gift! It really heightens our senses to the changes around us. Even better is being able to eat outside in a new location! Where did we eat today and why? Our chat about this site told us lots about why you chose it. Do you remember some of their ideas?
Then we moved to the second site for dessert to debate the value of building there. Cardinal was a very persuasive real estate agent and her team gave us a lot to think about. Before we voted at the end of the day, we agreed that both sites were great and that we would soon have 2 new locations to visit throughout the year. We were so surprised when everyone voted for the same site! Which one was it? Why do you think this site will be just right for our shelter? Maybe you know an adult who can help us when the construction process starts!
It looks like we may have some potential designers and architects in the Sapling group. Acorn and Deer were hard at work when we returned to the arena, drawing designs and labeling what materials would be needed for different parts of the shelter. Meanwhile, in the tent, Snail, Cardinal, and Chickadee were busy comparing notes about which shelter design would be the best and discussing whether it would be better to have 1 or 2 doors. The Seedlings also used their nature notebooks to draw pictures of shelters they would like to be part of building. The creative juices were certainly flowing today at the farm!
Both groups were thrilled to have Robert Traut (Antman) back again to teach them more about …. you guessed it - ants!!
Everyone was excited to learn more about a ‘formicarium’, especially Blue Racer! ‘Formica’ means ‘ant’ in Latin. So what is a ‘formicarium’? Robert brought in some of his ant farms to show us. He will be coming back to Nature school in a few weeks to help us set up our own ‘Critter Keepers”. What kind of insect would you like to create a home for? What are all the responsibilities you will have as a critter keeper? (feeding, changing the water, cleaning the container)
You did LOTS of other things you may want to tell your family about. Here are a few moments we think are worth sharing! Rosie seems to love Beaver almost as much as we do. So happy to have you back with us Beaver! Keep the camping spirit alive until next week Forest Friends:).
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