Ever since Woodside Elementary has collaborated with the Retzer Nature Center, I have been happy to volunteer some time at one of their main events: the Apple Harvest Festival. Usually, I help support a reading tent by sharing stories for a half hour. This year, we upgraded to hosting an activity table for the guests.
I decided on using natural materials to create paintbrushes and decorate a bedsheet. I have wanted to try this with my nature kindergarten class but haven't done so. . .yet.
The calm before the storm (literally and figuratively) had my daughter and I set up our station. Embry even created some "test" brushes to use as examples.
Before long, the guests came. It was rewarding to see the smiles on their faces and the positive feedback from parents and visitors, even if the station was a bit messy.
The kid artists displayed wonderful creativity ion not only paintbrush design, but paint application, and painting style.
The table and bedsheets quickly became more and more colorful.
When Woodside's wonderful art teacher volunteered her time and gave us a break, we wandered the grounds. Embry looked for her favorite scarecrow on Scarecrow Lane. While she didn't choose Woodside's addition, she did enjoy the Daisy Girl Scout version, maybe because she was working hard as volunteer today to earn her next petal.
She also went fishing,
listened to some awesome autumn stories,
transformed into a kitty,
and visited her favorite Retzer rock for a rock hop. She was treated with a root beer and caramel apple, but if you take a close look, you will see she focused her time and attention on caramel removal.
Upon returning to our station, it was apparent the time had come to work on a new canvas. While the bedsheets were creative and bright, the table full of brushes and splashes of paint really exhibited some amazing art.
When it was all said and done, two bedsheets full of color were created (and hopefully displayed within the nature center soon) and one little girl had an excellent day at an excellent festival.
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