Shanghai Dixie: Nature Summer Camp

July has been crazy for us. First we had vacation bible school for a week, then the very next week we had Summer Nature Camp. I was actually one of the teachers at Nature Camp this year, which was a lot of fun but also a lot of work.

Here are some pictures from Nature Camp... but as one of the teachers I can't post pictures of the kids at camp... other than my own of course.

Margaret was technically too young for nature camp so we had a few teens and preteens around to help with her. However, Little Miss really does think she's one of the big kids are was right there with all the other kids participating and keeping up. She was amazing all week... She also really really loves painting. (we painted rocks)

This was also the hottest week of the entire summer. It was really hot... and since it's nature camp we were outside all day. But with lots of shade and water play time we managed to stay safe and cool.

One of the favorite things the kids love to do is walk in the field and garden and cute flowers for our vases.

The play ground was where we spent most of our time because it was the most shaded. But this isn't a standard playgound. It has a boat and a tree to climb. A platform under a tree. A bucket and pully, and hills to play on... also a sand box.

The boat is always a favorite.

Obi loved the play ground... he was very proud that he was able to climb the tree by himself.

Which is the point of nature camp, to help them build confidence in themselves and in nature.

The MOST favorite part of nature camp was the outdoor kitchen. We had a rain barrel filled with water and the kids spend all day making mud pies and goop soup.

This was the most wonderful thing.

I brought streamers to camp and the kids decorated the trees and sticks and made wands with them.

It was a lot of beautiful fun.

We played with clay.

The kids were SO creative making things and decorating with things they found on our nature walks.

With yarn, flowers from home, and sticks we collected, one the little 4 year olds made this as her fairy wand. I was so impressed with all the creativity.

On the last day one of the moms found this turtle in the middle of the street. He hung out with us for a while and then we took him to the forest on a nature walk to find a new home.