by Barbara Dixson
For the past two weeks, a dozen or so children of younger elementary age have spent their afternoons exploring Schmeeckle, led by Em Sinclair, a UWSP forest recreation major, and Adasyn Bullard, a UWSP soils major, with backing from Schmeeckle staff members Griffin Bray and Melissa Ruether. This is the first of two sessions, and on the final day of Session 1, I followed the group around for a while and shared in their high energy and delight.
As kids arrived for the last day, Em asked each one what had been a favorite thing. The answers included mammals, birds, aquatic animals, canoeing, and herps. Em explained to me that many of the kids had never paddled before canoe day and approached the experience with a bit of trepidation. But then one child expressed the overall opinion: “Can I go out again?!”
This final day revisited prior ones–with a scavenger hunt. Frog shaped clues led us from the pavilion to the museum to the bird viewing area, then across boardwalks to the frog pond, and thus back to the amphitheater and pavilion. The kids greeted each spot as an old friend.
Em introduces the day’s plan, which will lead to a secret activity: kids’ choice.
Griffin helps identify not only birds but also a 13-lined ground squirrel spotted by kids at the Visitor Center bird viewing area.
Asked to net five aquatic animals, the group comes up with exponentially more. Tadpoles, water striders, beetles, snails, tiny fish. They could keep at this for hours, it seems.
One child has found a green frog. Griffin holds it gently and shows it to everyone before re-moistening it and releasing it.
In the Visitor Center museum, kids read labels, handle the tactile displays, and try out the antique truck.
Remembering herps day, the group slithers like a snake (“conga line,” they shout), then hops like a frog on the way to the frog pond.
The swing provides just the vantage point needed to see what someone has found.
Is the frog pleased to return to its home? Apparently, yes.