by June Portnoy
Summer is the perfect time to get children outside, discovering the world around them.
During the week of July 15, grade school age children enrolled in the Bucks County Audubon Society’s (BCAS) Nature Exploration Camp learned about woodland creatures, the theme of the week.
Each week has a different theme, explained Diane Smith, BCAS, Director of Education. The lessons and activities revolve around that weekly topic.
During the brief morning lessons on woodland creatures, counselors and campers discussed reptiles, amphibians and bugs.
On July 19 they focused on bugs, and by the end of the morning lesson, many campers could name the different parts of a bug.
Once the lesson was over, it was time for some nature experiences.
“We use sweep nets to capture bugs, and then put them in little boxes with magnifying tops to help these kids identify the bugs and talk about the adaptations they have,” described Smith.
A highlight of the day was giving these children the opportunity to climb up “fairy hill” and create “fairy houses.” Campers were encouraged to use their imagination by creating houses that fairies could live in by building them out of materials they found on the ground. Although they were not allowed to take anything off of a living tree, they were able to gather sticks, leaves, and other objects from the ground to create the perfect home for a tiny fairy.
Smith added, “We do as many of our activities as possible outdoors giving the kids the experience of nature. During our woodland creatures week, we talk about the forest and how the materials get cycled through. We explain how first the trees grow and then the leaves fall from those trees followed by the decomposers that turn the leaves back into soil that benefits the forest.
BCAS offers two summer camps: Nature Exploration Camp, a half-day camp for ages four to six, and Summer Adventure Camp, a full-day camp for ages six–twelve. The Adventure Camp explores the same weekly themes, but at a higher level of learning.
Each week features new opportunities for nature exploration, physical activity, science learning, and quiet times to connect with the natural world.
During the school year BCAS offers a full-day school holiday camp for days when schools are closed.
Trails are open to the public free of charge from dawn to dusk.
The mission of the BCAS is to encourage the stewardship of the environment. This nonprofit’s goal is “to educate people about the environment, and get them to love it as much as we do so that everyone takes good care of it.”
With your support, BCAS has connected over 11,000 participants to science, nature and the environment! Help them to continue this growth by donating to this worthwhile organization.
For more information about upcoming programs and events, or to make a donation at BCAS, located at 2877 Creamery Rd in New Hope, visit www.bcas.org.