Thursday, August 1, 2013: Tsankawi

This morning we planned to make paper and then go to the mountains, but it was cold and rainy so we changed our plans.  Instead, we headed off to Tsankawi where it is almost always dry and warm!

Tsankawi is a part of Bandelier National Monument and there is so much to see!  Petroglyphs, ancient pueblo ruins, caves, deeply grooved paths, pottery shards, really interesting trees, brush, cacti, and flowers. Each time we visit we have to choose among the many wonderful ways to explore this site. Both groups took different routes and hiked the whole loop.  On our hike, we learned a lot about the history of the land, the ancient pueblo people, and rocks and geology. It was such a treat to have such cool weather, since the heat and lack of shade at Tsankawi usually prevents us from hiking so much.

It was a great hike and a great day! The van home was full of sleeping children, and at the museum we all got to play with a parachute in the cool grass before going home!

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Wednesday, July 31st, 2013: Leonora Curtin Preserve

Today we played tree tag at the Children’s Museum and then had a circle where we talked about how trees are used by people. We examined various products to show how trees are used in so many different ways.

Our adventure today was to the Leonora Curtin Nature Preserve, a 35-acre property owned by Santa Fe Botanical Gardens. It is located on the I-25 frontage road south of Santa Fe. We had a wonderful tour guide named Susan who showed us around and pointed out various flowers and trees including Lemon Verbena, Cat tails, Cottonwoods, Russian Olives, and Yerba Mansa.

We did pastel drawings of flowers and plants that we liked, we read books about trees, and we went on a beautiful hike to a pond. At the pond there were dozens (literally dozens) of frogs! Since this was so exciting for the kids, we played games like Frog Detective and What Time is it Mr. Frog? It was such a treat to be there and to see the wetlands.  Thank you to Susan and the Santa Fe Botanical Gardens for showing us around this beautiful treasure!

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Tuesday, July 30th, 2013: Ski Basin

Mountain Kids went to the Ski Basin today for the theme of ‘seeing and being aware.’ We spent much of our time at the river. Throughout the day we also paid particular attention to safety, learning and practicing the acronym S.A.F.E.R. which is about how to stay safe on a hike (Stop and stay put if you get lost, Tell and Adult where you are going, go with a Friend, bring an Equipment kit, make sure you Rest).

We played different games that focused on observation and awareness. We tried to remember what our friends were wearing as a practice for observing our surroundings, and a great tool in case someone gets lost.  We focused on staying still in order to observe all the tiny creatures that we can find in nature, such as spiders and caterpillars. We also worked on paying attention to where we put our feet so we do not accidentally hurt our little friends!

We did a group activity called Build a Tree where we learned all the parts of a tree and how they work – from their hearts to their roots.

Of course, we had much stomping about in the cool stream waters. It was a very fun day of learning and playing in the mountains!

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Wednesday, July 3rd – Rescue Animals at the Wildlife Center

We played some games and then had circle where Katie showed us pelts and skulls of local desert animals.  It was fun to feel the soft fur of so many animals (ranging from ringtailed cat to mountain lion!).

Afterward we had snack and then loaded up to go to the Wildlife Center.  This was wonderful. We had a tour and got an up close look at a Barred Owl, a Red Tailed Hawk, and a Peregrine Falcon.

Afterward, we walked around and saw all kinds of animals. Highlights included a bald eagle, vultures, falcons, a grey fox, bobcats, pygmy owls, and a turtle! We then chose an animal to go and draw, read stories, had closing circle, and played some games!

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Summer 2013 Week 1: Wilderness Skills!

By all accounts Week 1 of Summer 2013 was a hit!  We had a fabulous group of campers and happy, dirty, wet and tired kids returning from mountainous adventures each day.  New friendships were forged, new adventures had, and new wilderness skills acquired!

Themes all week were S.A.F.E.R., equipment/packing a backpack for a hike, cardinal directions, noticing surroundings, maps and landmarks, keeping track of buddies and belongings, and working together!

We started the week with a name game, an orientation to Mountain Kids and a group contract.   We talked about what we need to have in our packs and on our bodies for a safe and fun adventure each day.  Everyone got a “Buddy” for the day to keep them safe on the trail, and to make a new friend.

Monday at the Beaver Ponds brought a wide variety of explorations: making beaver dams, listening to birds, making rafts, finding clay, fossil hunting and playing camouflage.  Each group chose their group name for the week: we had the Horned Lizards, the Bobcats and the Otters.

On Tuesday Mark read a story in circle called Stop and Stay Put where we learned how to stay safe when going on an adventure in nature.  The acronym S.A.F.E.R. helped us remember these important concepts:

S  – Stop and Stay Put (if you get lost)

A  – Tell and Adult where you are going

F – Go with a Friend

E – Bring an Equipment Kit (the basics include water, sunscreen, hat, snacks, jacket)

R – Make sure you Rest.

Our adventure for the day took us to the Nordic Trails to hike and learn how to build survival shelters that will keep you warm and dry, or cool in the forest if you are lost.  We played Park Ranger and other games for group building.  The Littles played a hiding game with their buddies and one where they hiked along the trail and took note of anything that stood out.  Campers were buddies with new friends today; they really enjoyed getting to know new kids!  We had story time and did our first Sit Spots of the week while making Sound Maps.  A beautiful day in the forest!

On Wednesday, Ashley led us in learning about the Four Directions and how to use a compass to find them.  We practiced finding the four directions at the Children;s museum using magnets to show us magnetic north, and again at the Big Tesuque where we spent the day hiking, playing by the river, making maps, identifiying landmarks, building shelters, doing Sit Spots, watercolor painting, and talking about what else we could add to our backpacks to make our Equipment Kit even better (compass, mirror, whistle, orange garbage bag, first aid kit, etc. )  The water was super fun, but also COLD!  We did a rain dance to help bring on some moisture!

Thursday we headed up to Black Canyon where the kids found many wonders of nature: a bird nest, broad tailed humming birds, caterpillars, butterflies and wildflowers.  We connected the Four Directions and compass with a map to show how they can be used together.  We played games, did watercolors, sound maps and another rain dance!  Let’s hope it works soon!

All in all it was a wonderful week!  We are grateful for such a super group of kids and such stunning natural beauty in our surroundings to inspire us each day!

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