by Barbara Dixson
Yesterday I got to join a time traveling secret mission, with nine young agents swirling around their two leaders in the joy of the quest. In other words—Nature Explorers Day Camp, where Griffin Bray with assistant leader Emily Lee took us through the years of forest succession, from baby trees through middle aged ones to elders of the forest.
We set out from the Menzel Pavilion, walking, boulder jumping, shouting, laughing, and even listening, with everyone instantly focused at each new discovery of an insect or surprising surface. As Griffin responded to kids’ many questions, always with interest and expertise, I could see new possibilities registering in attentive faces. Among the new trees, we considered stumps of the prior forest. Among grown trees, teams measured and identified trees, consulting their measuring tapes and field guides with the seriousness of scientists. It took three connected measuring tapes for kids to figure out the girth of the tree they chose in the oldest forest, as they looked up and up in awe.
This camp is the outcome of Griffin’s master’s degree project, aimed at helping Schmeeckle serve the community with summer environmental education for children, third through sixth grades. The first session is underway; the second two-week session begins the second week in July. Griffin, whose earliest memory is of a nature program (he can still sing the song they learned), and Emily, with two CNR parents and a childhood of summers at Central Wisconsin Environmental Station camp, both seem to be naturals. They radiate delight in the outdoors and so much warmth in helping these young naturalists feel the wonder of the woods.
Volunteers are still needed, for a day or a week, especially in the almost fully-enrolled July session. If your spirit could use an infusion of wonder and delight, consider volunteering!
