Playing Outside

We have started our second week of Survival Camp at Nature's Classroom and it's always a pleasure to be with kids who love the outdoors.  The thunder has been rumbling in the distance, making the kids' shelters feel all the more important.  Some have made addition to their shelters, complete with ponchos (for additional rooms), swings, chairs, benches, play grounds, garbage bags (an important addition after an ant invasion) and places to hang their bags.  They call them their "survival mansions" now!  They are learning by doing and they are having fun outside.  

I asked one group to tell me how they would respond to another kid who said it was more fun to be inside.  They laughed at that "silly question and here is heir response;

 - "you can do more"

 - "you can create stuff"

 - "you can find new things"

 - "use your imagination"

 - "jump around"

 - "destroy things"

 - "do anything"

 - "the world is your home and playground"

 - "find more bugs"

 - "get Vitamin D from the sun"

 - "make cool things"

 - "find friends"

 - "build things that would normally be expensive by making them out of things you find"

I loved their words and their enthusiasm. It's great to hear this from kids going into 5th-8th grade.  

One of the kids in my camp was in the triathlon that I competed in last weekend.  He gave me great advice during our hike. He also didn't let me fool the kids into thinking the number in permanent marker on the back of my calf was my race number; it's my age.  I also couldn't get away with saying you read up, as in 25.  It's 52. Busted!

I laughed so hard when one asked me to fix the lighter so it was easier to use; basically wanted me to take the safety off!  Ah..no. They have a tough time with the lighters as they are used to the BBQ trigger kind.  The small compact ones are great survival tools and the flint and steel is still useable even after the fuel is gone. 

We spent some time holding the animals in our collection at Nature's Classroom and they loved the Chinese Water Dragon. While not a native, it's scale pattern is fascinating, with tiny little "pixels" (their words) of camo coloring. 

Speaking of camo, the other class is practicing their tracking on us and these kids picked up in it right away, although a few screamed at first. One of the other camp's kids showed us his gilly suit up close.  It is very effective.  

We are all having a great time.  Even the ones who were afraid of snakes, finally conquered their fears and touched one of the many we have in captivity. 

Some kids held the millipede we found during orienteering. They said its feet tickled. 

Others saw ants and even a moth get eaten by antlions (larval form of the lacewing). It's the circle of life. 

Despite the soaring temperatures of the hot Florida sun, it's great to be outside, everyday.  It just makes you feel good, but maybe that's the Vitamin D talking!