November crisp air welcomed us to Audubon today. This morning we could feel that winter is on its way. To welcome it we created our own signs of winter scavenger hunts. We tried to think of what signs are that show us fall is ended and winter is coming. Some ideas we thought of were that there are no more leaves on the trees they are all on the ground, frost covering the grass when we wake up, wearing puffy jackets, and birds and squirrels stocking up on their nuts and seeds. Everyone is getting ready for winter!
After we enjoyed snack and playing a field game we journeyed to Beaver Pond. There we explored the pond and mud. We collected some fun rocks, made some mud pies, and learned that there was ice on the pond too! We then took turned throwing rocks with the hope that they would reach the ice and break it or slide on it. Skipping rocks on ice makes some really fun sounds!
Once we got out some of our silliness, we got to business making fires. We discussed our safety information as well as the 3 essentials for fire (air, heat, and fuel). Those of us who wanted to practiced lighting matches to lite a cotton ball and then we got to work collecting sticks for our fire. In our two groups we got busy making our structures, both teams made log cabins, and Truman and I helped the groups safely light their fires. Both groups kept their fires going for a while!
After lunch we started our November conservation action of trail clean up. We spent time walking around the sugarbush trails, from the clubhouse to the brook over to beaver pond and back around to the clubhouse. We looked to large sticks and rocks blocking the trails, picked up any trash we saw, and made note of trail conditions as well. It was great to show our appreciation to Audubon in this way, and also be mindful of the space and the people and animals that use it too. It is so important to take a moment to remember that we aren’t the only ones using this space and if we show respect for it, others may follow.
Once back to the clubhouse we picked a location to start building our group shelter. We discussed the safety rules around shelter building and working together as a group. Then they were off collecting sticks and finding a good place to build. We have a good start to the shelter and I look forward to how it grows and continues to build over time. All the building made us hungry so we enjoyed afternoon snack followed by journaling in the clubhouse (it started to rain).
I’ll miss the group next week but look forward to what December has in store for us!
