Winter Camp Update: Tuesday 12/21

It may have been the shortest day of the year, but we made the very most of it! When we first got to the farm at 8 AM, it was only 31°! Good thing the farmers covered the crops yesterday. The early arrivals warmed up a bit doing jumping jacks with Phaedra, then we got right to work starting a campfire. The kids learned the ABC’s of fire safety. Quiz them to see how many they remember:

A - ADULT must always be present

B - BOUNDARY -make sure fire site is contained by rocks or metal ring

C - CLIMATE / CONDITIONS - no fires if winds over 15 mph or during a burn ban 

D - DISTANCE - nothing flammable above or around the fire site 

E - EXTINGUISH - have water nearby and extinguish completely 

F - FOREIGN objects not allowed in the fire

We then enjoyed the warmth of the fire while listening to a Native American story about this time of year called The Longest Winter.  After the fire burned down to coals, we cooked up banana boats, a camping favorite similar to s’mores. 

After a game of Cougar Stalks Deer, and a bit of King of the (compost) Hill, we grabbed our water bottles and took a long hike to our cows behind the vineyard, then to the secret pond (checking out the deer skeleton on the path), and on up to the hill above the farm. While there, we then played a fast acting game of Bird Survival where pairs of sparrows attempt to collect “eggs” while fending off blue jays and a hawk. It’s a great introduction to the strategies that different bird species might take in order to survive in the wild. 

On our way back down to our classroom, we sang Christmas carols. (Did I mention these kids are tireless?) After lunch they went off to the herb labyrinth to collect plant specimens for today’s art activity: salt-dough ornaments. I’m baking them at home tonight, and we’ll paint them tomorrow. 

We wrapped up the day with a classic - Capture the Flag. Whew! They definitely wore us big people out. Back at it tomorrow!

Have a great night,

Ms. Bridget