by Carl Strang
One of the children’s programs I help conduct each year is a camp for 9-12-year-olds called the Roger Raccoon Club. This is one of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s efforts to give suburban kids the opportunity to experience nature through free-form play and exploration. We provide instruction in basic safety, and offer ideas, but then maximize the free time and turn the kids loose. Though inquiry is not part of the curriculum, naturally it comes up. For instance, we teach the safe capture, handling and release of small animals.
The children spend an impressive amount of their own time, then, on the hunt.
Their explorations may give them experiences of looking into water,
immersing themselves in water,
and climbing trees.
Creative manipulation of plants may produce a necklace
or a magic wand.
Following a dry streambed to see where it goes can lead to the discovery of a Silurian cephalopod.
Fascination with fire led one boy to see what would happen if he scorched leaves.
He reported that some smelled, surprisingly, like apple cider, while others didn’t. My only participation in the process was to suggest that odors are chemicals and heat can produce chemical changes. Where any of these experiences will lead is impossible to say, but I believe it is important that all children have them.
Fishin’ « Nature Inquiries said,
August 6, 2009 at 6:05 am
[...] see eagerness in Roger Raccoon Club members as they get their opportunity to fish on the second afternoon of the [...]
Two-spotted Tree Cricket « Nature Inquiries said,
August 17, 2009 at 6:24 am
[...] give the species its name (males lack them, and are pale). She sits on the arm of one of the 2006 Roger Raccoon Club kids, who brought her to me for identification. Until two weeks ago, she was the only one I had [...]