Where the Wild Things Are

Guest post by Cathy Chybowski, Where the Wild Things Are Camp Instructor

Welcome Summer Campers and Parents! 

Because we cannot meet daily for the “Where The Wild Things Are” Summer Camp, below are some ideas and suggestions about how to get outside and look for special things. Included are some rainy day activities too.

I encourage each of you to take your sense of wonder and adventurous spirit outdoors every day this week and beyond to explore your backyard, your neighborhood, a nearby park or green space or the trails at the KVR!  The only tools you need to have fun outdoors are your five senses, a little curiosity and a sense of imagination to become an explorer, scientist, poet, artist or whatever you wish to be! 

Walk quietly, look and listen carefully, and stop often. Take time to observe, watch, and investigate. Look up, down, straight ahead and even behind you as you move along. Kneel down to get a closer look. These actions are what lead to discovery. You will be amazed at the diversity and quiet beauty that surrounds us every day.  You never know what you will find or what might find you!

No matter where you are, be respectful of nature and follow the KVR “leave no trace” policy.  Leave the place in as good or in better condition as when you arrive.

Sit Spot

Do you have a favorite place to sit outdoors?  A sit spot or secret spot?  A magical place where you can connect with nature? If not, find a place that is special for you; a safe place where you can sit alone and visit often so you can get to know it well. A place where you can sit still and quietly observe everything around you. If possible, visit during different times of the day and night; visit in different seasons and weather. You will likely sense things you have not noticed before. It may be difficult at the start to sit still for long periods of time but you can gradually increase the time you sit so that eventually you will look forward to it; like visiting a good friend.

Nature Journal

A nature journal is the place for your personal notes, sketches, data, or creative writing. It does not have to be complicated!  It should be a fun way for you to record what you have experienced in nature using your senses. You can include both observations and feelings. For example, maybe you discovered a robin’s nest in your backyard. You might sketch it in your journal and color the eggs. Or describe the nest and its habitat; then sit quietly to watch for any bird behavior.  If an adult robin is carrying food to the nest, the eggs probably hatched out and there are hungry nestlings to feed.  Or maybe the adult birds are still incubating the eggs. 

Perhaps you have visited your sit spot and wish to record your observations or feelings in the form of a poem. Some objects that you discover on a hike like a leaf or a feather could make interesting patterns or rubbings on a page in your journal. Or tape it to a page in your journal.  Record lists of birds, insects or flowers you have seen or heard on a hike. Take your journal on vacation and add to it.  Describe the weather; draw the cloud formations you see.  There are no rules! 

Use sturdy paper with front and back covers to protect your work inside.  Choose a binding to keep the pages together and don’t forget to decorate it!

For more ideas on nature journaling, visit 
https://blog.nwf.org/2014/01/how-to-make-a-unique-nature-journal/

Birds Are Unique!

What do an ostrich and a hummingbird have in common?  All birds have feathers and wings.  Even a flightless bird like an ostrich has wings.  Most birds have hollow bones with braces inside making them lightweight for flight but really strong. Each bird has a different shape of beak depending on the type of food it eats. Hummingbirds have a beak shaped like a drinking straw to reach nectar deep inside flowers. A cardinal has a short thick beak for cracking seeds. Most birds have a keen sense of hearing and sight. Many birds sing a song different from other birds; this can help us identify them.  A good resource for birds can be found at:

http://kvr.state.wi.us/Natural-Features/KVR-Birds/KVR-Bird-List/  or

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/

Did you know the robin is our state symbol?  Elementary school children voted on it. It is familiar to most people and the return of the robin after the winter season is a sign of spring. It is fun to watch and list the birds that visit a place like your backyard. Besides their color, try to observe their size, shape, and behavior. What are they doing? Feeding? Singing? Chasing another bird out of their territory?

It is easy to do something to help our feathered friends.  Make a simple pine cone feeder by smearing peanut butter or lard on a pine cone and rolling it in bird seed. Then hang it where the birds will find your tasty treat!

Do you see any birds whose name describes how they look? Red-winged blackbird, black capped chickadee, and red-headed woodpecker are examples. After you list the birds that you have seen in your nature journal, imagine a bird and draw it. Like all birds, your drawing should have feathers, 2 wings, 2 feet, and a beak. It can be funny, scary or beautiful. Use your imagination and then name it. The name can describe its shape, color, behavior, what it eats, or where it lives.  Write the name on your picture. Take a photo of your drawing and send it to: audubonmagazine@audubon.org

Other Nature Activities

 Story Stones – Find several smooth light-colored stones and make a picture of an animal, plant or other nature related scene like a rainbow or mountains on each one.  This can be done with siblings or friends. Use sharpie pens or acrylic paint.  Put the stones in a bag.  The first child takes a stone from the bag and starts a story.  The next person takes a stone and says, “and then . . . “ and continues the story until each child has had a turn. Or if working alone, line up all the stones and tell a story with as many stones as you can. https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/raise-a-reader-blog/inspire-creative-storytelling-story-stones.html

          Flower Pounding – Collect flowers or leaves or a combination.  Tape them down  to paper or fabric with masking tape. Leaves should be vein side down.  Flip over the paper or fabric onto a hard surface and pound all over lightly with a hammer or heavy object. Flip back over, remove the tape and admire your work! For another technique see: 
     https://www.instructables.com/id/Flower-Pounding/

       Toad Abode – Make a shelter for toads using a flower pot and paint a design on it.  If you want to get creative you can decorate the outside of the flower pot with a nature scene. Or paint the words "Toad House" on your container, or paint your new shelter green so it blends in.  Find a shady spot in your garden and dig a hole that is large enough for the flower pot when it is lying on its side.  Set the pot on its side and bury the bottom half in the soil.   Be sure there is a solid, straight dirt floor.  Put a handful of leaves inside the container.  For ideas check this: 
      https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-make-a-toad-house-1388582  https://www.greenkidcrafts.com/toad-house/

      Insect Sculpture –  Make realistic or imaginary insects using homemade modeling dough that hardens over time.  You can add food coloring to the dough or after your white sculpture is dry (bigger, thicker insects take more days to dry; 3-4 days) you can paint or decorate it.  Use your imagination and have fun!  Recipe for Insect Dough: 2 cups flour, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 cup salt, 2 cups water, 4 teaspoons cream of tartar, vanilla or peppermint to make it smell good. (National Wildlife Federation’s Nature Scope Incredible Insects).

More About Cathy
Cathy Chybowski has been an instructor at the KVR for several years. Previously, she taught high school biology, ecology, and environmental science. Her work as a DNR naturalist helped her realize how much fun it is to work outdoors with kids of all ages.

We asked Cathy about her favorite place on the KVR. Here's what she shared:
Any place at the KVR can be a special place! I think any of the ponds and surrounding wetlands along Old 131 can be exciting places to visit. Wildlife is attracted to water and if you approach quietly you might catch a glimpse of something special. Like a turtle sunning itself on a log, a bird singing "witchity witchity witchity." a frog leaping away as you bend down to take a closer look, or a snake coiled up in a dogwood along the shoreline.