Camp Peregrine

This past week I survived my first week of Mohonk Preserve Summer Camps. There is much to get used to as far as logistics and the Preserve's methods to approaching camp (it's pretty different from what I am used to), but it went pretty well. Working with 7-10 year olds has been great. Ideally, I prefer the wee little ones or the much older ones, but this group of kiddos we had this week were pretty awesome. They definitely set the bar high for future summer camp sessions for me. This week was a short week due to the July 4 holiday, so I only had three days with them (I missed the last day as I had to leave for Maine for a wedding - next blog)! But the three days were pretty great. We hiked them all around Spring Farm, Duck Pond, and a scramble at the Mountain House. The campers were able to do some ecosystem studies, play lots of games, develop community, pass around the Leadership Stick, and admire wildlife. It was a pretty good week and a great way to ease myself into the Preserve's camp season. Usually my camps are themed and very activity structured to keep the campers engaged. This camp approach is very flexible and student-centered (something I had to get used to). But overall, I really liked the feel for it and definitely got my brain spinning on how I can make future camps more of my own. I am really looking forward to my second week and making that week much better than the first.

TheChristyBel

Rock Rift Hike

Northern Red Salamander in the Duck Pond Stream

Pond Study at Duck Pond

Mason was one of my favorite campers

Savannah Testing Out Her Bees Wax Boat

Black Rat Snake Visit at Spring Farm

Discovering Red Efts in the Forest

Hiking at Spring Farm