Field Trip to the Nature Center

Today was another great day. I volunteered to accompany GirlKid's kindergarten class to the Nature Center. As it turned out I was the only parent that was able to make the trip, which made me a bit uneasy at first. Nineteen kids, three adults, and 28 miles of trails......

Of course, everything went well. The Nature Center guides were excellent, and even brought out their 26 year old red-tailed hawk to show the children. It had been raised with the Nature Center since it was a fledgeling, and was the longest standing employee of the Center. She was a beauty, and had no fear of all of us standing before her with our mouths agape. Most of the kids hadn't even seen a parakeet up close, let alone an adult raptor. It was inspiring. I wish I could fly for a day, and see what she is able to see. I think I would look at the world much differently.

Then we explored the 'hands on' portion of the Center. Inside their building, they had pelts of many various animals, and we were encouraged to touch them all. GirlKid was able to feel what a bear, wolf, coyote, fox, mink, and buffalo(bison, to be correct) fur felt like. They also had stuffed owls, beaver, rabbit, and deer that we were welcome to touch. We spend so much time asking our children not to touch things, that they were unsure at first if they heard us right. After they saw that no one was going to get into trouble for handling all this stuff, they explored every feather, antler, hair and toenail in the place. They had the most interesting questions that I hadn't thought anyone could think! "Is an antler a bone? And if it is, why does it fall off and grow back...why doesn't it just stay on?" Hmmm...where IS that Nature Center guy?

After all the touchy feely portion of our visit was done, we were escorted by another guide out on the trails, where we were able to learn about some of the native plants that grow in our area, and why they are important to our earth. Then he scooped some tadpoles out of the pond, and showed us the pond food chain. Poor tadpoles.......Even the dragonfly larvae like them for a snack!

On our way out of the trails, the main guide had us play a game of "FLOOD". He explained that without the trees, we could get swept away in our imaginary flood. So when he shouted "FLOOD", we all had to run to a tree so we wouldn't get 'swept away'. It was so much fun watching all these kids scrambling to find a tree to hang onto. Before we left, though, the main guide confessed that the trees tought him that game, because they grow better after they've been hugged. The children actually looked at the trees differently after that. I hope they see the life force within the many living things, including the trees, and treat them with respect.

The bus ride home felt different than the ride there. The children had so much to think about, and so many 'after the fact' questions. We all shared our favorite part of the trip. Most liked the hawk, others liked the "hands on" place. My favorite part was seeing the children learn and having some of them changed a little from the experience.

Thank God for teachers that reach for tools to show our children different ways to solve problems, and provide opportunities to learn in and outside of the box. Some teachers really DO see the future in our childrens' faces. I felt lucky to be with them today.

So, take it from me, if you ever get the opportunity to go with your child on an educational field trip...GO! Whatever it takes, get the day off, call in sick, get a sitter for the younger one...whatever. Just go and see the children grow right in front of your eyes. You won't get a second chance....Kindergarten really is a garden for children....and they're growin' like weeds!