Amazing Animals! June 20-23, 2016

The Amazing Animals week was a hit!  The Hummingbirds and the Owls eagerly participated in a variety of animal-themed activities.  Tracing animal tracks, playing animal charades, and handling different skulls and pelts made for a full week of learning!  There was one animal that stood out more than any other, however, and it received a mixed reception: the tent caterpillar.  Yes, this fuzzy, creature can be seen by the thousands, chomping away at aspen leaves at Big Tesuque.  Whether the children chose to save them from floating down the creek, or opted to organize an anti-tent caterpillar campaign in favor of the Aspens, it cannot be questioned that the critters proved fascinating..  The Hummers and Owls ended their week at the Norski playing hide and seek, and building forts from fallen branches. The kids learned to efficiently get ready to go, and we made it back just in time for a deluge, huddled in the van. A big thank you goes out to all the parents who tolerated the rain and quickly picked up their kids! We hope that they will come back to Mountain Kids for more fun and excitement!

Adventures of the Hummingbirds and Owls:

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Forts and Forests! & Plein Air Art and Adventure! June 13-16, 2016

Forts and Forests!

Hummingbird Aventure:

This week the Hummingbirds explored Forts and Forests. We began our week at the Beaver Ponds and discovered clues that these master fort builders lived in the area. Tuesday we headed out to Norski where we constructed several lean-to forts using fallen branches, grass, and little yellow flowers to add a bit of pop to the look. Wednesday we were off to Big Tesuque where the kids had ample time to splash around in the creek, and use its water for water colors! We ended our week at Little Tesuque, where children caught a glimpse of a sneaky snake hiding in the bushes. They also made there way up the little creek as branches draped above them like a tunnel and they began to feel like they were in a whole new world. We had a lot of fun building dams, deconstructing dams, building forts, and tearing down our forts in order to leave no trace, and generally getting lost in the wonder of nature.

Owl Adventure:

This week the Owls enjoyed exploring the forests of Santa Fe! On Monday, the Owls cooled off in the water at the Beaver ponds. Tuesday, they played in the trees on the Norski trails. At Big Tesuque, on Wednesday, the Owls built a huge tepee fort and enjoyed splashing around in a waterfall. the Owls also created a clever hiking game as they pretended the forest floor was lava and so they walked on fallen aspen trunks in order to survive the heat of the lava. By the end of the hike the Owls had gain a lot of trust in their balance. The Owls concluded their week at Little Tesuque. There, the Owls built a dam and later they tore it down, creating a huge wave that filled the whole stream. Overall, this week was filled with trees, water, and imaginative play!

Plein Air Art!

The Eagles enjoyed a week of art and nature! Each day they worked on a different project while enjoying the outdoors as their model. The Eagles concluded their week with an overnight at Abiquiu Lake. There, they created masterpiece paintings, roasted apples, and splashed in the lake!

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Natural Art Projects! & Mountain Biking! June 6-9, 2016

Natural Art Projects!

Hummingbird Adventures:

This week the Hummingbirds made art projects using materials found in nature! On Monday, we explored the rocky, clay arroyos of Galisteo Basin Preserve. There, we collected different colored rocks, which we later used to make paint. On Tuesday, we went to the Ski Basin where we collected natural objects to create a nature collage. We also made clay figures. Wednesday we headed to Big Tesuque, and there we spent the day playing in the river and creating rock paintings and felted rocks. To end the week we went to Las Golondrinas. We learned about and even tried the different types of work the children of the ranch performed. We learned how to write with a quill, how to weave a small blanket, and how to make a leather pouch. The Hummingbirds had a great week making art and playing in the wilderness!

Owls Adventures:

This week the Owls and Eagles campers explored the beauty and craftiness of nature. We began our week at Galisteo Basin Preserve, bouldering up sandstone walls and searching the landscape for rocks that could later be used as pigment. On Tuesday we ventured up in altitude to the Ski Basin for some cool relief. This more riparian habitat flooded the kids with a sense of wonder as they inspected golden flowers, blue flowers, swirling, fuzzy green plants and became intimately aware of how fast the creek could carry a boat (stick) down its waters. Several kids watched in awe of the miniature eddies and whirlpools that sucked there boats out of the moving channel. After working with clay, making nature collages and playing games it was time to go. Wednesday we visited Big Tesuque where the Owls and Eagles learned the art of felting, creating some seriously cute felted rocks with googly eyes, using wool that they had dyed on Monday. They also worked hands-on with a mano and metate, grinding pigment for paint, which they used to make pictographs. We ended our week at Las Golondrinas, which hammered in the utility of nature and its relationship with crafting. The campers ended their week on a reflective note, with the realization that nature crafts were not always a source for fun, but for survival. The week produced a lot of fun and new skills, and also a new-found appreciation of the heritage of nature crafts!

Mountain Biking!

This week the mountain bikers explored La Tierra trails and Norski trails. The bikers also explored the Santa Fe River in order to stay cool in the summer’s heat. We had a blast shredding on the trails this week!

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Wonders of Water! & Mountain Biking! May 31-June 3

The Owl’s Adventures:

This week our Owl campers had a great time exploring the Wonders of Water! Our first hike of the week was at Little Tesuque where a short hike was rewarded with lots of play time in the stream that ran alongside the trail. Some owls practiced building dams, others scooped out reservoirs, or built a beautiful gate made of sticks for the water to pass through! Going along with the theme of water, we discussed the power of water and flash floods and the campers got first-hand experience preparing for a storm, quickly suiting up for, what turned out to be, a sprinkling of rain. Wednesday was a blast at the Beaver Ponds where we explored the area and looked for clues of beaver activity. The kids also played games, and enjoyed more water play, this time turning the river into an imaginary “Meeker Village” with a working floating restaurant! that sent pretend orders of “red lobster” and salad (it did look like salad) down stream. Thursday the Owls took off for a private tour of the watershed. They studied the local trees and also got knee deep in the Santa Fe River to scoop out aquatic macroinvertebrates. It took some patience to spot the tiny forms of life in the trays, but soon they were thrilled as they identified stoneflies, mayflies and various other wiggling creatures. To wrap up our week, the campers visited Bandelier where we hiked a sunny trail and picnicked in the shade. To cool off on a pretty hot day, we made our way down to the water and played in the river that was so essential to life for the ancient Pueblo people. The kids ended their day sharing ideas of how the Pueblo children must have spent their hours and days in that place. Crafting toys and helping mom and dad gather water and hunt for food was generally agreed upon. It was a rapid week of water learning, and so much fun!

The Hummingbird’s Adventure:

This week the hummingbirds enjoyed playing, splashing, and exploring in water. We began our week at Little Tesuque where we learned about how water travels through the mountains. Avoiding the rain, we finished our first day at the Little Tesuque picnic Area and we attempted to make a small campfire to keep ourselves warm in the cool mountain air. On Wednesday we enjoyed playing in the river at the Beaver Ponds and we looked at the fossils, which came from a time long ago when New Mexico was completely covered in water. Thursday we headed to the watershed where we learned about where our drinking water comes from. We hiked passed Nichols reservoir to the river where we searched for aquatic macroinvertebrates. We concluded our water week at Bandelier. There, we built dams in the creek and learned about the effects of flash floods. It was a splashingly fun week at Mountain Kids!

Hummingbirds and Owls at the Santa Fe Watershed!

Mountain Biking Adventures:

This week Mountain Kids tore up the trails of La Tierra and Galisteo on their mountain bikes! Over the course of the week the mountain bikers enjoyed the outdoors while improving their biking skills. It was an adventure packed week for these bikers!

Snack and Social:

Our weekly snack and social allows the campers, counselors, and parents to celebrate the adventures of the week with sweet treats and fun games. Every week we are grateful for all the fun, creative, and adventurous campers that come to celebrate nature with us!

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Wilderness Skills! May 23-26, 2016

THE EAGLES’ ADVENTURE (9-12 year olds):

This week’s Survival Skills camp took flight with nine exceptional “Eagles” team members. On day one, the flock explored the Beaver Ponds. We played a great game of “Camouflage” wherein one player must scan the terrain, and spot the children who have cleverly hidden themselves behind trees and shrubs. We also discussed optimal shelter sites, and the factors that contribute to making this decision. Tuesday, was full of action! The eagles learned how to make paracord bracelets, practiced their bow and arrow skills, as well as used their strategical thinking caps during the always popular game of “Capture the Flag.” To end the day, Katie discussed the contents of a first aid kit, and the importance of having a good attitude in survival situations. Wednesday, gave the Eagles a chance to nest, as they built two impressive shelters in the woods of Black Canyon. After shelter-building-hiking, and a multitude of silly, knee-slapping games, we ended the day making s’mores, and sharing stories of the coolest place we had ever slept. The next morning the Eagles arose, and ate oatmeal around a fire. All were in good spirits, and we headed off to take down our shelters (leave no trace), and hike by a peaceful stream. During our last circle, where each person has the chance to say something to the group, we shared some sentimental and hilarious memories that were made. As we drove back to town, the campers were singing, and giggling, and the counselor’s knew they just had an incredible experience with a fine group of future nature advocates.

The Owls Adventure (5-8 year olds):

The Owls learned how to survive in the wilderness through discussions about safety in the outdoors and through their creative play. The Owls learned how to find North both with and without a compass, they talked over how to stay safe and found in the outdoors using the acronym, S.A.F.E.R, and they also discussed the 6 W’s (who, what, when, where, why, and weather) of staying safe in the wilderness. The group’s favorite activity was building forts! At each site we visited, the owls created forts using fallen branches and bark, and they worked as a team to build sturdy and beautiful shelters.

Presenting, the Owls!  Dirty faces, and all! 🙂

 

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