Nature Nuts: Five Senses

We went to another preschool program at Ox Bow County Park. They have these once a month and are a great time for children ages 3-5. I bring my little one along usually. There are always books, usually a hike, a craft, and a snack. Krista does a great job of them!

She started out with a book, My Five Senses by Aliki. I just picked this up at a garage sale this summer--score! She discussed how we use our senses all the time to learn about the world around us. She brought flowers out for the children to touch and smell. Many sensory words were flying: smooth, rough, bumpy, colors, prickly, and more! She had sensory bags for the children to investigate. What is inside of all those bags?

Science Sleuths: Bee Keeping

Earlier this week, I took the boys out to Ox Bow County Park to learn about bee keeping. My husband and I have "talked" about keeping bees, so I was interested in what he had to say too even though I've read plenty online.

Gordon shared how his hives work. Each tray can collect honey. 

Places to Walk for Free or at a Low Cost in Elkhart

Elkhart is a great place to connect with nature. Many people enjoying taking a walk or jogging outside for exercise and appreciate that time to rejuvenate. I have noticed some discontent about Wellfield Botanic Garden charging for admission recently, as some people feel they no longer have a place to walk in the city. I see this is a period of change. While I have not been around for the whole transformation, I did see the move to charging for admission. I didn't like it as much, either, as I live outside of Elkhart city limits. I thought I would just go to special events. I knew I just needed to pay for my own entrance as my 4 younger children would not have to pay admission. I did go to Spring Marketplace and Envirofest. Both were neat events where we enjoyed the beauty of the gardens, music, and learned of great resources in our extended community. Then, Wellfield recently extended free entrance on Tuesdays to all, calling it a "pay what it's worth" day. So, we have options and I would consider a membership if I lived closer or started using the gardens more regularly. There are great options here that allow us to take a walk in the beauty of Wellfield.

Cub Scout Day Camp: Orienteering

Maps and compasses! I helped with Cub Scout Day Camp last year, too, in the same capacity. It's neat to see the boys learn about a skill that is seeming more and more outdated, though is still very important. With GPS capabilities in our cars, phones, cameras, and more, do we still need compasses with magnetic north and maps to find the way? I say yes! 

We are in a transition in this area, though, so I'm curious as to where we go and if requirements to learn about these will be changed. I asked my husband who said GPS units can run out of batteries, be subject to selective availability (used previously so only military had precise measurements--not used after 2000), it's easy to keep a record of your track in coastal waters (he's from a Navy background) and is required by law in these cases, etc. "Prudent people will always have a paper back up, that doesn't run out of batteries or is not dependent on a satellite system."

We started our session talking about basic map skills, highlighting the compass rose, Never Eat Soggy Wheat (North, East South, West), how to orient a map, basic parts of a compass, magnetic north, the concept of a pace, and how to use the compass. I had a great, ENTHUSIASTIC helper who made it much easier. Thanks! He took half the boys to work on map skills in more depth while I took the other half to the field to work on using the compass. 

This was the center spot. We always came back here for our next direction, though these could be set up in different ways. 

Wild Edible Cub Scout Hike at Ox Bow

I dropped my oldest off earlier this week for Cub Scout Day Camp at Ox Bow County Park. This is his second year attending. It has been well run and a good experience for the children and adult leaders. One requirement is to take a hike and learn about poisonous plants. Andy took us on a walk to also learn about a few wild edibles.

Ox Bow Scouting Activity

On our way to my son's scouting activity on Wednesday, it was raining and sunny. I quickly exclaimed, "Look boys--there should be a rainbow out!" They quickly found this in a nearby field. It looked like we could have found the pot of gold, we were so close. It was fun to hear my 4-year-old ask where the rainbow was the next day as we passed the same area. He's developing understanding of these prisms of light!

Wildlife Hike at Ox Bow County Park and Watershed Treasure Hunt #2

Friday evening, we joined a Wildlife Hike at Ox Bow County Park. It was EXCELLENT! And FREE! I like FREE, but also don't mind paying for good nature experiences. The FREE makes it easier to take the whole family of 6. Andy, the naturalist, asked me if I'd be okay with the baby on the hike . . . :-) Cute! The baby goes on hikes all the time (even winter ones!), but I appreciate the concern. The hiking backpack makes it very doable to go on hikes with the little one. I was very lucky and paid $25 at a garage sale down the street about 4 years ago; however, I would pay 5 times or more for the mobility it gives me.

Science Sleuths: Invasive Species

Krista Daniels always does a good job of adapting the information she is presenting to her audience. She did this once again with a Science Sleuths program on Invasive Species. She started with an interactive PowerPoint showing pictures of different invasives we might see in the area and explained the terms used, such as native, non-native, invasive, etc. She talked about birds, insects, and plants.

Then she took the kids out on a hike!

Multiflora Rose was used for hedges, but has spread to where it limits biodiversity in an area.

Okay, so this is totally not an invasive, but I was excited to see the skunk cabbage changing forms. This  is one of the earliest plants out in Spring and is quite unique looking!

The children found the plastic bags so entertaining!

We were looking for this garlic mustard! It is very invasive and should be eaten or thrown away to help control it, though it is difficult to get rid of.

My oldest was sure to find this in our yard the next day and help us with our own garlic mustard pull at home. Garlic mustard pulls are scheduled across the area. Find them at the Calendar of Events at Inside Outside Michiana. 

We also saw the effects of the Emerald Ash Borer. This insect is destroying the ash population.

The D shaped exit hole can be seen here.

They brought the garlic mustard back and made hummus! Garlic Mustard can be made into many recipes. Here are a few.

This guy usually likes all the "interesting" snacks.

They even had Autumn Olive jelly! Here is an article about the story behind these wild jellies. They can be purchased at the Goshen Farmer's Market.

Science Sleuths: Bluebirds

We always enjoy Science Sleuths with Elkhart County Parks. It's for children ages 6-9 and meets once a month. The topic last week was Bluebirds! We had about 5 bluebirds hanging around our feeders for a few weeks before the class and always see the bluebird nesting boxes at various parks while hiking. We see them at Lieber Nature Preserve, Cobus Creek, and Ox Bow Park.

The kids started with a snack. It was chilly so hot chocolate hit the spot!

Then Krista Daniels shared information about bluebirds with the children. It's always informative! I like watching how she teaches and uses books too. She didn't "read" this book, but did a picture walk as it was full of good illustrations on the birds.

She then talked a bit about their nesting habits and how gourds can be used to make bird houses. I was excited to finally meet Carole Mitchell who was helping. I see her all over the place online and was happy to meet her in person!

Bluebirds prefer a hole in a nesting box of a specific size and height to feel safe from predators.

The viewing window here has been active all winter and into early spring! I love watching the children talk about what they see and try to classify the animals.

The kids got all the "innerds" out of the dried gourds. Many kept their seeds! Maybe they will plant them for their own gourds. Then it was time to paint! What I found interesting is that I was the one with paint on my coat and pants when we left--not the boys! :-)

As gourds dried, the children looked at different examples of nests and had a "test" to see if they could match up the types of nests with the birds that made them. 

I learned more about the characteristics of different birds and materials that might be used for the nests.

Later we made the trek out to check the bluebird boxes. We saw various nests and talked about what birds might have been there.

Finally we found one with a bluebird nest! My boys found plenty of scat out there too!

Oxbow Park Sledding

This last Thursday was pretty cold . . . maybe 18 degrees, but we had a pocket of time when we could possibly go sledding with friends. We made a tentative date, but I had a busy day and really wasn't looking forward to being out in the cold. I kept checking the baby's temperature to find an excuse while I prepared for our Nature Nook book group later that night at Woodlawn Nature Center. Okay, I was probably in a bit of a "mood". But, we'd made a commitment, so we kept it . . .


Hint: Having a big bag of cold weather gear ready to go or already in the van has been so helpful to get out more this winter! I did a quick check to make sure we had all we needed, put the sleds back in the van again, and off we went!

We were trying out Ox Bow as someone from church mentioned she really liked to make a day of sledding there with her kids. She mentioned the warming shelter, how the kids come and go, and the hot cocoa and snacks she brings to eat. It's also nice how the window is positioned that you can see everything going on at the hill. Some parents/caregivers would actually be able to sit in the warm shelter and watch while the kids went up and down the hill as long as the children know there boundaries. However, it's much more fun to go sledding, too, if possible!

The entry fee is $2 per car, but it's not always charged. We went on a no fee day, but I've never known until I pulled up to the gate if we were to be charged. Also, when going to a scheduled program, there is no entrance fee. I even went to a free program and didn't pay anything. However, there is a year pass that goes January-December of each year. It is $20 and makes it easy to go on a moment's notice. I've noticed that when I already have a pass at other venues, I don't mind just stopping by for a bit when we're out and and about. And Ox Bow County Park is a great place to get out and about!

We were the only ones there when we arrived, so I left the baby inside for a little bit while I made a few runs down the hill. We checked on him periodically to make sure he was okay. 

Another great thing about the shelter is that there is also a great wildlife viewing area. This is the other wall of windows. The feeders are stocked over the winter. We saw several cardinals, juncos, chickadees, squirrels, etc. It's nice to have a nature bonus on a sledding trip!

Outside, we saw that someone made a perfect snow angel.

The sledding was good! Up and down we went. It's a good little work out to trudge back up the hill, especially with little ones.

My angel also wanted to make an angel! :-)

Our friends joined us, the sky was pretty, the air was crisp, and we were out doing something active . . .  remember how I didn't really want to go? My spirit was lifted by a little time out. I NEEDED to be outside, yet was finding excuses not to go . . . cold temperatures, busy day, possibly sick baby. Glad we made it out! While I know exercise and being in nature help us feel better on so many levels, I also know it from my own experience!

Another family joined in on the fun. I got to use some of my Spanish skills . . . I used to teach Spanish immersion classes, but it's been about ten years. Rusty, but with more practice it could definitely come back better! It's good to see people out enjoying the snow!

Cub Scout Day Camp--Orienteering

I was asked to help with orienteering at Cub Scout Day Camp . . . what a fun week! This was the first year my son attended Day Camp and we were excited to participate. 

I "loved" it when the three-year-old found poison ivy and started rubbing it all over his clothes and head. I didn't touch those clothes for months! Yes, I have an aversion to poison ivy--itchy, itchy!

We made it a family affair, with the younger boys in the kiddy program and my husband helping with stomp rockets, similar to these, when he could. Here is an easy version if you're looking for a gift. 

They really are fun and reminded me of my days hosting Science Club in Japan and working with the Jason Project. Everything this week was space related. Great theme! 

It was a hot, hot week. I was grateful for a hat, shade, and cool water. I found that orienteering is still difficult for this age, but not impossible. A few helpful tips we found were to create a flat shelf with one hand to hold the compass. The boys wanted to grip around it. Practicing the flat shelf without the compass helped when we were ready to use the compass.

We explored maps, how to use compasses, and how to make our own compasses. I had great helpers each day who were leaders and examples. While my background is in education, I was reminded of excellent teaching techniques from a twelve-year-old scout. He's a great leader already!

The Day Camp leaders did an excellent job pulling together all the needed materials and activities for our adventures. Great experience!

During my "free" time, I enjoyed going on another hike with a few wild edibles, exploring aquatic bugs, trying my hand at bb guns, and touching fish!