Send 30 Children to Afterschool Nature Program

During the last month of this session, we challenged the students to increase their nature awareness skill levels as well as introducing new activities.   We took advantage of a rainy day and stayed inside to learn how to identify animal pelts and skulls. The students were given field guides to aid them in identifying seven pelts.  Easily accomplishing that task, we moved to skulls. Students were shown several skulls and guessed what they were, based off of size, teeth size/shape, etc. We talked a bit about skulls and identification tips, like number and function of teeth, sutures and ridges in the skull, eye sockets, and shared some fun facts about the animals.

With the change in weather, thoughts of staying warm directed our focus to survival skills.  Already touching on fire, we moved to building basic survival shelters.   The first we worked on together was the "lean-to". A lean-to is made when a branch is placed about head height between two trees and lashed tightly. Branches are then placed on one side of the lashed branch forming a single wall. After placing some branches on the main support branch, it broke so we regrouped on how we could make it better. Part of learning survival skills is being creative with what you have around you.  We looked over and saw a dead cedar and several dry rotting benches and tables piled in the woods. We disassembled the benches and tables with our bare hands and used the cedar trunk to replace the main branch and the planks as the leaning branches.  We topped off the shelter with small branches and leaves to make it more water and windproof. We then worked on a fire by digging a pit and collecting sticks. The students divided into pairs and each pair worked on a task: one dug the pit, one collected /built tinder a bundle, while the remaining teams collected sticks. After getting a good fire going we surprised them with s'mores as a treat then demonstrated how to safely smother a fire and proved it was completely out.

Every time we meet, the desire to go on exploratory walks becomes contagious, especially after rains.  We have gone on a walk just about every class and love the pond excursion the most.  Leaping frogs, green lnyx spider nest with spiderlings, ladybug larvae, pupae, and adults have been some of our discoveries during our outings.  All the animals we come across are prepping for the winter and will not be found for long. 

The next session begins in November, and we hope to venture out further, test our skills and nature knowledge, and continue growing our friendships.  Thank you for your continued support allowing us to provide such a unique experience with these kids.  We hope their enthusiasm inspires you to spend some more time outside, attempt to walk like a fox through the leaf litter, run through the woods like a bear, or build a shelter.  Check out the "Thank you" video the students did for you!  Click on the second link below to view it.

Links:

• Piedmont Wildlife Center website
• Githen's students thank Global Giving Donors!