SOUTH SHORE YMCA NATURAL SCIENCE CENTER

A Week in the Life of Camp

Posted: Jun. 30, 2014

Here are some highlights from our Raccoons, Hawks and Owls (grades K-2) from week 1 of the Nature Adventures Summer Day Camp:

Monday:
Louise taught us about diurnal raptors. We saw mounts of a red-tailed hawk, an osprey, and a snowy owl. We compared the features of raptors with that of other birds such as the blue jay. We then learned about the animals each of the groups are named after (hawks, owls, raccoons) and ended the day by coloring pictures of each of these animals. We suggested that the campers color their animals the way they would want to look if they were that animal.

Tuesday: 
We hiked the Storybook Trail and saw the snowy owl in the garden. We got to meet Mama the chicken with Melissa and learned about the differences between wild and domesticated birds. The campers got to pat the chicken. After the presentation the campers fed the chickens arugula and kale.

Wednesday:
We went ponding! We saw a garter snake and a toadlet. In their buckets and nets campers found copepods, daphnia, shrimp, worms, and mosquito larvae in the water. We also explored the Ecozone and the greenhouse. Campers enjoyed looking at the turtle exhibit, the tadpoles, and the garter snake – which we had just seen at the pond! We also did the “Owl Picture” scavenger hunt, we found 15 out of the 18 owls.

Thursday:
Hawks/Owls:
We went on a field trip to Blue Hills. Outside we saw turtles, a river otter, a bald eagle, two turkey vultures, a red- tailed hawk, and two white tailed deer. We also explored the museum where we saw a great horned owl, a barn owl, a skunk, and several species of snakes as well as the other mounts, models, and displays.

Friday: Tie dye, games, and a visit with Toby the bunny!

Popular games of the week: Cross My Zoo, Museum, Hawk and Rabbit