For our final week of the summer, Mountain Kids got MUDDY! We started the week making clay projects and playing games during our morning activities and spending the rest of the day hiking and playing at the Beaver Ponds. On Tuesday, we headed to Galisteo, where we played in, splashed in, and covered ourselves in the muddy clay. This spot was definitely the highlight of the week! Wednesday we explored Diablo Canyon. The Hummingbirds enjoyed playing on the rocks and digging in the dirt. The Owls found a small patch of mud, which they enjoyed playing in, and the Eagles hiked a total of 6 miles to the Rio Grande, where they got to swim and cool off. Our week concluded at a Mountain Kid favorite, Rio en Medio. The campers loved playing in the beautiful waterfall and river! We had a fantastic week getting muddy and loving nature!

The Secret Language of Birds!

The Hummingbirds and Owls kicked off their week at the Beaver Ponds, keeping their eyes and ears open for birds! A rare find excited us all as a counselor pointed out a tiny hummingbird nest, expertly spotted in a tree. We also enjoyed watching a few male red-winged blackbirds perched on cattails. Tuesday the kids braved a stormy hike in Norski before heading down to little T for some shelter. Wednesday was an excellent day! The Hummingbirds and Owls headed over to the Wildlife Center and learned about predator/prey birds. We saw red-tailed hawks, a peregrine falcon, bald eagle, and a host of owls among many more. It was truly awesome to have the chance to see these birds up-close. For our final day of camp we headed to Big Tesuque where the children built forts, played in the creek, and decorated the counselors’ hair with fresh wildflowers. Between all the bird-learning, games, and free time, it made for a memorable and fun week!

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Intermediate Backpacking!

Just back from a three day backpacking trip with 11 kids and 3 adults this past week along the Rio Santa Barbara. Such a blast!

We experienced pouring rain and thunder, warm sun and incredible beauty. We had cattle tromping through our site day and night, saw a grouse in a tree, a beaver pond and met a nest of angry yellow jackets. We hiked to a stunning meadow surrounded by rocky cliffs and a gorgeous view of North Truchas Peak. We sang silly songs, played games (that the kids turned into political satire: i.e. Capture the Candidate, instead of Capture the Flag). We left chatter of video games and iphones on the trail after day 1 without adult prompting.

We shared from the heart during circle time, ate simply, lived simply, and all expressed a desire to spend more time in nature. What an inspiring end to our summer season, and a reminder that we need to do more: to get both kids and adults out into nature.
Thanks to all the kids (one camper experienced his first time ever camping!) and parents who made it happen. Memories for life made, so many more adventures to come!

 

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We had such a fun week during Volcano and Rock week! After a special guest taught us about fossils, the Hummingbirds and Owls headed out to the beaver ponds to search for some, while the Eagles explored the rushing waterfall of Rio en Medio. On Tuesday, it was the Hummingbirds’ and owls’ turn to splashed around in the frigid Rio En Medio waterfall! The Eagles visited Mesa Prieta and the Rio Grande on Tuesday. Wednesday we set out to hike at Tent Rocks. With extra water bottles in hand, we managed to enjoy the strange geological sculptures that towered above us. It was HOT! We stayed safe by playing games under Pinon tree shadows and resting. Thursday was the grand finale. The Valles Caldera was truly thought-provoking for some, and offered a nice trail through wildflower meadows. The Hummingbirds and Owls looped around a volcanic bulge, now covered in plants and trees, that offered excellent rock-climbing and shade. Due to lightning, we swiftly hiked back to the nature center where Thomas, our gifted story tell, enraptured his audience, keeping the small center quiet for other visitors. Meanwhile, the Eagles escaped the rain and enjoyed the features at Tsankawi. The kids will think about these days, later in life, and realize that week was as rich as the volcanic soil they walked on!