Most of June, for Emily, has been consumed with summer day camp at Pine Jog. Emily is co-leading the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Eco-Explorers on the topic of Sustainable Practices in Florida Ecosystems. One of the big projects was to harvest invasive exotic plants from several sites on the Pine Jog property. We used them as an art project for the campers. They each get to design, sand, and paint their own walking stick made from an exotic plant that was harming the native slash pine forest ecosystem. We wrapped a hemp grip on each stick and left some extra rope for them to string beads. Throughout the week campers earn a bead for each activity they successfully complete. We also award special beads to campers who pick up trash out on the trail without being asked, and other acts of kindness and responsible behavior.
This is a picture of Corey, Emily's co-leader, using a machete to cut down Tropical Almond.
Each week we have 12-16 new campers. We harvested over 90 walking sticks in early June so we would have enough for each group.
This is a picture of Emily and Corey peeling and whittling the bark off the sticks so they would be ready for the campers.
This was our first group of campers with their walking sticks.
On Tuesdays we go to the beach to study the Barrier Island ecosystem. In the picture above the campers are on a "Quest to Nest". They are pretending to be mother sea turtles and have to dig a 2 ft.(the actual depth of real sea turtle nests) nest in the sand to lay their eggs. Once they reach 2ft they get to run into the ocean as their finish line and swim.
Corey is measuring Ben's nest and telling him he has to dig a few more inches. Those mommy sea turtles deserve some credit....it is hard work digging a nest in the sand.
Most of June, for Emily, has been consumed with summer day camp at Pine Jog. Emily is co-leading the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Eco-Explorers on the topic of Sustainable Practices in Florida Ecosystems. One of the big projects was to harvest invasive exotic plants from several sites on the Pine Jog property. We used them as an art project for the campers. They each get to design, sand, and paint their own walking stick made from an exotic plant that was harming the native slash pine forest ecosystem. We wrapped a hemp grip on each stick and left some extra rope for them to string beads. Throughout the week campers earn a bead for each activity they successfully complete. We also award special beads to campers who pick up trash out on the trail without being asked, and other acts of kindness and responsible behavior.
This is a picture of Corey, Emily's co-leader, using a machete to cut down Tropical Almond.
Each week we have 12-16 new campers. We harvested over 90 walking sticks in early June so we would have enough for each group.
This is a picture of Emily and Corey peeling and whittling the bark off the sticks so they would be ready for the campers.
This was our first group of campers with their walking sticks.
On Tuesdays we go to the beach to study the Barrier Island ecosystem. In the picture above the campers are on a "Quest to Nest". They are pretending to be mother sea turtles and have to dig a 2 ft.(the actual depth of real sea turtle nests) nest in the sand to lay their eggs. Once they reach 2ft they get to run into the ocean as their finish line and swim.
Corey is measuring Ben's nest and telling him he has to dig a few more inches. Those mommy sea turtles deserve some credit....it is hard work digging a nest in the sand.
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