Jr. Ranger Camp 2015

In late June, Noah and Anna participated in a week of Jr. Ranger Camp at Bledsoe Creek State Park. 

 

This was Noah's second year to attend and Anna's first.  Like Noah's first summer there, it was a really good time and both kiddos are already sure they want to go again next year.  It was made even more fun this year because Noah and Anna each had a couple friends they already knew attending as well.  It made the thirty-minute drive there and back twice a day a little more tolerable for me, too, knowing I had girlfriends to sit and gab with before heading out for a few hours to myself til pick-up.

This year's activities centered around history.  They were captivated by the WWII and Civil War Living History details ... clothing, weaponry, tactics, etc. 

 

Getting to march in formation, follow official commands, and practice with their own muskets was fun. 

That's Noah's new friend from church, Jonas, standing next to him, who he has gotten to hang out with a few times this summer already.  Jonas is a homeschooler, too, so we see many more field trips and park days with him and his family in the future. His mom, Gloria, and I have have become quick friends. Thankful!

Firing their weapons on command ... with marshmallows. :}

Another day they hiked 3 miles as they discussed forest stewardship.  Anna was worn the heck out that day!

Different games were played to support what topics they were learning.  Here they were naming and play acting different wildlife animals beginning with the same letter as their names.  Another day they played Fox in the Henhouse which I hear was pretty great.

Early in the week, Noah came home really dirty after learning to mix leaves and mud to seal up Tennessee Long Hunter shelters like they did way back when.

Anna said the mud smelled like poop, so I am guessing this was not her favorite activity. :}

That's Noah there in the white.  On the day they played in the mud. All my fault. I don't know what I was thinking.

The kids' especially enjoyed the Birds of Prey day where they got to touch owls and see a hawk up close.  That day, they also did a Healthy Creeks and Waterways talk and hunted for crawfish again.  Noah was the only one to catch one this year and was super proud of that distinction.  Anna was excited about this after hearing about it last year, but was less excited by day's end when she came up empty-handed.

So I took them back after camp let out to try again.  They still found none, but enjoyed the free creek play just the same. 

I enjoyed the thick green umbrella of trees that kept the kids cool each day and/or the overcast skies that protected them til noon.  Each day the heat got up into the nineties, but each morning at camp remained cool enough in the eighties.  Close call!  Good week!

The last day, they learned about all the different roles of forest rangers, had a little graduation ceremony, and a finished with a hot dog cookout.  We picked the kids up early that day for our road trip to Georgia, so Ranger Paul held a quick separate pledge ceremony for Noah and Anna.  They got t-shirts, ranger notebooks, certificates, and official Jr. Ranger pins to show for their participation.

And bonus - both kids earned school hours from their time at camp with all that science and history involved! :}  They have a week's headstart on the 2015-2016 year.