Timberwolf Trail - Week 34 - 2016-17 Edition

Another year of Nature Kindergarten is history. While I am sad to see my group go, I know that they will take what they have learned and experienced and use it to grow and grow and grow. To celebrate our last week, we spent many minutes with all four classes outside all at the same time. It was awesome to see nearly 100 kindergartners immersed in nature, getting the opportunity to "be kids again."

It also helped me realize the importance of not only continuing this work, but taking every opportunity to help others learn more about it so that they too will take part in the outdoor educational movement.

Today, we spent a lot of time outside doing everything one last time. Though bittersweet, it was a great way to finish our time together.

A final look at our "Birds We've Observed" board was quite revealing. While we saw and learned about many birds, I cannot confirm nor deny the existence of all these species. :)

Our final nature art project was taking donated paper birch tree cookies and creating designs, illustrations, and self-portraits with watercolors, markers, and finger paints.

We couldn't end the year without another service project. Using donated wood chips, we transferred, spread and spread wood chips on some of the mussier parts of the trail that can get a bit sticky in wetter conditions.

We had to visit the natural play are for one more round of Math Stick Champions. We even crowned a repeat Stick champion!

Once we found ourselves at the oak tree, we relaxed for a group picture before going through a "year in Review" question and answer session where we did our silly chants, sang our nature songs, pointed out some landmarks, and went through just a fraction of all we have done this year.

Then it was off to the hidden forest for one final garlic mustard pull.

We also might have played a little bit. :)

And you can't go to the forest without a search for bones and toads.

Once we emerged, we gave our new tree some much needed water on this hot and humid afternoon.

Back to the field for some of our classic game, Hawks & Mice.

We felt the urge to climb trees so off we went to the fallen tree.

After our final class shot, the rest of our time was nature play. One final creature was found.

Like every other outdoor session this time of year, we checked for any new insect friends before heading in for the day and year.

Though the year is done, the adventure is only just beginning. . .

Timberwolf Trail - Trail Camera Captures- May 2017 Edition

May was a relatively quiet month for the trail camera, though there were tons of blue jay visits. With break just a few days away, I will still be updating over the summer.

Blue Jay

Hidden Bunny

Not so hidden doe

Athletic Raccoon

Less than athletic Raccoon

Any guesses?  I'm not sure.

Gray Squirrel

Blurry Red Squirrel

Timberwolf Trail - Week 33 - 2016-17 Edition - Retzer Nature Visit #8 - Nature Celebration

It was bittersweet to end our yearlong collaboration with the Retzer Nature Center. We have had a blast meeting new friends,learning new things, and completing new activities. However, we couldn't have asked for a better day to wrap up this year's programming. 

Before heading out for a hike led by the students, or newly christened "kid naturalists," we reviewed the events of our year together with a slideshow and some conversations.

Our hike started off with a visit to the pond. We enjoyed testing our net skills again and caught many different creatures. From frogs to dragonfly nymphs with a special visit from a snapping turtle, we certainly discovered the life of a pond.

Then, it was off to the vista for a splendid view of the aftermath of the last Ice Age.  Along the way, we searched for newly dropped fawns and saw the green growth that has sprouted since our last visit, fresh off a prairie burn.

As we left the vista, we learned more about invasive species, including the pretty but pesky Dame's Rocket. Of course, with my class being invasive experts and active pullers of garlic mustard, I wasn't surprised to see them pull this purple invasive in out hike through the woods.

We also found tons of snail-covered skunk cabbage plants, wildflowers, and of course stumps, perfect for stump jumping.

We then met up with Mr. Larry to do some insect sweeping. Though being pretty exhausted from a lengthy and active hike, we were able to capture some critters before heading to lunch.

Once inside, we took a look at the "year in review" tables set up around the meeting space, full of activities and learning tools utilized in our programs throughout the year.

We also had to enjoy the nature center's animal and artifact displays.

Last but not least, it was time for natural play. Whether climbing trees, making forts, trail running, or playing games of their own certain, this is a great opportunity to see kids be kids and just connect with nature in an innocent and spectacular way.