It was another fun week at nature camp last Thursday. Reece went off with Justin for swimming lessons in the morning, so it was just the two girls and I in the woods. We had a great time eating wild raspberries, collecting nature treasures, checking out a new trail, and climbing trees. When we got home, Reece was back, and the kids played til lunch. After lunch we sat under the shade of a tree, and got busy with a few crafts. The first, sun catchers using flowers from our garden, and the second, a nature weaving using some treasures collected from the woods and around our garden. Both were a big hit.
The littlest hands of the camp enjoys picking flowers from my garden. She will walk around, picking what she likes, and come to me with a handful asking for a jar of water. She then takes time to arrange them just right in the jar, and then places them on the back deck table. It is a joy to watch her, and I hope the flowers bring a little happy to her home when she takes them home.
The biggest one of the camp got stuck in our apple tree. She loves climbing trees, and just kept climbing. At first she was pretty excited about how high she was, but then she tried to get down. A little worry set in, but nothing a step ladder and Justin couldn't fix.
We are in the final stretch of summer nature camp, just two Thursday's left. I have some fun things planned, and can't wait to share them with the kids, and you.
Hope you are enjoying your summer, and finding a few ways to bring a little fun into your days.
That hawk feather is amazing!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is, but it is a wild turkey feather. One of the girls was lucky enough to find on our nature walk that morning. Awesome find!
DeleteLook at all that sunshine! Love the pics with those chubby hands working away on their projects.
ReplyDeleteWe have been blessed with beautiful days for our nature camp Darcel, and I offer gratitude for that every Thursday.
DeleteOur afternoon craft time is so lovely, all three of them working away on their art. There isn't much talking, they are focused on creating. I love it!
Your camp looks like so much fun, with great hands-on learning opportunities for everyone. I love the pressed flowers, they came out really nicely. I've never tried that before but I have always wanted to. I think it's really nice, by the way, that you had the girls there even though Reece was away for the morning. You must be so good with kids, even the ones who aren't your own. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennifer, we are having a great time! Aw, thanks. I love hanging out with kids, they are forever teaching me things, and allowing me to be a kid again. I feel honoured to have them here with me for camp.
DeleteI really like the nature weaving. We are going to use that one!
ReplyDeleteYou guys will love it. Have fun!
DeleteLooks like you are enjoying some really fun activities :) I love the sun catcher idea! We've had to get the step ladder out a few times too :)
ReplyDeleteWe certainly are :) Thanks, Reece and I have been doing sun catchers like that for years, he loves them, and I kinda knew the girls would too!
DeleteHehe, it was our first time. Reece is a cautious little guy, so only ventures so high. This little one has no fear, and she just kept climbing.
Oh I want to come to your summer camp! It looks like you're all having so much fun, and at the same time nothing is rushed or hurried. I love the sun catchers, that's one to put on the list of things Kitty and Elma would enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't that be fun Carie :) We are having a great time, and no, there is no rushing at all. We have all day to just be, and soak in a slow and simple rhythm.
DeleteI think Kitty and Elma would love the sun catchers. Have fun!
I remember when I was younger and had no trouble going up the tree, it was the coming down part that always got me, thank goodness for a Daddy who would rescue me.
ReplyDeleteI hope I have time to do the sun catcher with Emerson, I think she would love it.
With the heat being oppressive, [115 degree heat index today] we have been in the shade or the a/c learning to knit.
Hehe, I think we have all gotten ourselves stuck too high up a tree. Fond memories of that for me too :)
DeleteI do too Tracey. Have fun if you give it a go. And goodness, stay cool my friend. Knitting in your air conditioned house sounds like bliss. Enjoy!
Lovely! T
ReplyDeletehe boys made a nature weaving with their grandmother (retired Waldorf kg teacher!) a few weeks ago and they just loved it. There's something so magical about it for this age group. She has plans for a large garden loom someday.
For the sun catchers, what is the transparent, sticky paper that you use? Also, I wonder how well the leaves and flowers hold up in there? Do they turn brown quickly or keep for a while?
Thanks Coco! Reece loves weaving, I think it might be the rhythmic action of it...over, under, over, under.
DeleteThat is contact paper. I use two pieces, one for them to stick their flowers too, and then place another over top to seal it. I get it by the roll at Micheals. They do keep for a while. Reece and I made some nature cards a few years ago and used some black eyed Susan petals, they are not as vibrant as when we put them in there, but they still have a yellowish hue.
If you try it out, have fun!
Just wanted to chime in....I think that's why my girl loves weaving too. Sometimes I find her awake early in the quiet morning weaving, or in bed at night when she can't sleep. Your point about the rhythmic action of it makes total sense. She tends to go for the loom when she needs something calm and soothing. Interesting.
DeleteOh to find her awake in the early morning weaving, that must make your heart sing. To me, weaving has a very meditative quality to it, and anytime I do it with Reece a calm washes over both of us as we weave away.
DeleteSo happy she has something to turn to when she needs something calming and soothing.
I am glad camp season is going so well! The littlest one reminds me of my Lena. Getting stuck high up in a tree sounds just like something she would do :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, we are having a ton of fun. And I get to do it all again tomorrow. Can't wait!
DeleteI just love those sun catchers! So bright and happy! I'm sure the kids are just loving all these activities with you outside. Kids belong outdoors exploring these days. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Alexa, and I totally agree...outside is where it is at! We are out there from the time they arrive, until they go home, and I have yet to hear a complaint :)
Deletewhat fun sun catchers. Never seen nature weaving before - definitely will be trying that.
ReplyDeleteThanks Emma! Have fun with the nature weaving :)
DeleteWhat a fun-sounding camp! That nature weaving loom is so great.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrea, we are having so much fun!
DeleteI love how one was in a tree a little high for comfort, I used to love to climb trees and would go as high as my stomach would take. Empowering I think. Love the way you did the sun catchers and the camp looks like such a fun thing to do :)
ReplyDeleteI have to admit I was a little surprised when she called down a little scared, she usually climbs high and has no problem. Whatever the reason, we got her down, and she was climbing again within minutes :)
DeleteThanks Karen, we are having fun!
Such beautiful crafts and wonderful ideas Kim...you should totally think about doing a nature retreat for adults too...I would come!!!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks Erica. You know, I have some more ideas floating around in my head, for both adults and kids.
DeleteLove the crafts, especially the weaving, and what a great feather to find.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sally. The weaving was a big hit. And that feather was an awesome find. Even better, Reece found one today too! These kiddos have been pretty lucky with their nature finds :)
DeleteOh, how I wish we lived closer! My girls would have loved to have been a part of this! What gorgeous pictures and lovely projects! The sun catchers may be my most favorite! xo
ReplyDeleteI would have loved to have them in camp Shel. You what, one summer we just have to get together and do camp with our kiddos. How fun would that be?
DeleteThanks Shel. I hope you make the sun catchers, I think Grace and Emma would love making them. xo
Beautiful projects Kim!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carlin!
DeleteAwesome!
ReplyDeleteI am so eager to do these with my little man when he's a wee bit older :)
Thanks for stopping by Tiarn. Have fun with it when your little guy is old enough :)
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