Summer Animal Camp

Swift Nature Camp is a Wisconsin Science Summer Camp for boys and girls ages 6-15. Our focus is to blend traditional summer camp activities with an appreciation for nature, animals and the environment. Here are some helpful activities we do at camp, try these next time you head for the park.

Naturalists are the first to tell us we need to be quiet to see what nature offers. Often this can lead to a desire and commitment to conserve and protect the natural world we live in. Tis is one of our fundamental principals at Swift Nature Camp.

Taking treks through the woods is a regular part of Science Summer Camp. However, many times staff and campers merely walk along the trail without really noticing what is around them. They overlook the sounds, sights, textures and diversity of the ecosystem.

There are several interesting activities that can be done while walking through the woodlands. Simple supplies are needed, so it will take only a few minutes to collect them. Or you can prepare a Woodland Walk Kit ahead of time for supplies, and index cards with directions for the activities.

Groups can stop along the way and do the activities together, or small groups can be assigned particular activities during the entire hike. Campers can choose one or more of the following activities:

Look Down
Supplies: Yarn and scissors
Ahead of time: Cut the yarn into 15-inch pieces, have one for every two campers.
Assignment: Move off the trail, and make a square on the ground with the yarn. Study what you find within the square. What lives there? What is the soil like? What grows there? Use a stick and dig into the ground a little. What do you see?
Conversation: What did you find in the square or circle that surprised you?

Changes Everywhere
Supplies: Clipboard and writing utensils
Ahead of time: think or research how things would be different if the land was developed
Assignment: Stop along the trail and look into the woods. Imagine that the land had sold this plot of land to a developer to build. How would that development changethings? What effect would it have on the habitat and food supplies of the animals living there? What would happen to the soil if the trees were cut down? How would the plants in the woods change? How would the threat of erosion increase?
Conversation: How have ecosystems near your home been destroyed? What changes have happened to the land?

Take A Wildflower Hike
Supplies: Wildflower field guide
Ahead of time: Try to do a little reseach what might be blooming in your area.
Assignment: Stop at any wildflower, observe it, and try to figure out how it grows, how it produces seeds, and what type of soil it grows in. Use the field guide to identify the flower. If you have extra time even draw it in nature.
Conversation: How are the flowers alike? How are they different?

Swift Nature Camp hopes this information give you few a simple projects we do at our camp out in Nature. If you child is interested in these sorts of activities Please look at our website and see if we might be part of your summer plans,

If this is your first time thinking about Summer Camp look at Summer Camp Advice a free website that helps parents find the right camp for their child.

Article Source: TravelFreeGuides.com

About the Author

Swift Nature Camp is a non-competitive, coed traditional overnight Summer Youth Camp. Boys and Girls Ages 6-15 enjoy Nature & Animals along with traditional camping activities. Summer Camp Wisconsin

by: Lonnie Lorenz

Total views: 12 Word Count: 599 Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 Time: 12:18 PM - 0 comments

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