July 22, 2011

Week 2 of ECO Academy!

Last week was the second and final week of ECO Academy Summer Camp. Check out some pictures of the campers at USI, Howell Wetlands and here at the Nature Preserve. It was a busy week and all our ECO Explorers had the chance to make their own paper, learn about recycling through a series of games, adventure through a creek at the University of Southern Indiana, go on a guided canoe trip and much more!

July 5, 2011

A Great New Camp!

Jr. Indiana Master Naturalist Camp wrapped up last week and we hope all the participants had a spectacular time! This was the very first year we've offered this program, which allows campers to become certified Jr. Master Naturalists. Check out some pictures below to see what all the campers were up to.

The campers loved learning about Skylar, the American Kestrel, from
Charlie Carper, a WNS Animal Docent.

A camper studies the inside of a flower during a talk by Debbie Goedde,
Southwestern Indiana Master Naturalist.



Campers gather natural materials to create a collage.

Lauren Preske, WNS Education Director, holds a snake for the
campers to touch during an outdoor presentation.

On the last day of camp, the kids took a hike through the
Preserve and made observations in their journals. We
hope they'll all visit again with their families and show off
what they've learned!

A whole row of campers working on their journals.

A proud camper displays his potted plant. On the table to the left, you
can see some of the artwork the campers made.

One big project the campers undertook was cleaning out weeds from the
flower beds in front of the Nature Center.

All of their hard work payed off...campers assist a volunteer in moving
all the unwanted plant growth that was pulled from the flower beds!

June 15, 2011

ECO Academy is underway!

Check out the photos below to see some of the great activities
our ECO Academy campers have been doing this week.

Campers enjoy a fun game outside the Nature Center.



Some happy, purple feet are ready to make prints!



A camper signs his plaster animal track.


WNS Naturalist Gena Garrett helps a camper paint his foot to make a track on paper.


WNS Education Director Lauren Preske explains
food webs to campers.


Lauren also introduced the campers to Luna, the barred owl.
Luna was a real crowd pleaser!



WNS Naturalist Neal Bogan helps a
camper learn about different animal tracks.