Hello families!
My name's Jenn and I'm the Garden Camp Director. I had the pleasure of meeting many of you this morning during drop-off and this afternoon during pick-up, as well as the joy of spending my day with all of your campers. I had the ability to rotate between all groups and observe a little bit of everything that was going on in the Garden. Every day this week there will be a blog post discussing some of the things that your campers were able to do at camp today.
This week our campers will spend their time learning all about the Extraordinary Ecosystems that exist in this big world. Our two focused goals this week are learning about different ecological cycles and how those cycles relate to their own lives, as well as learning about how change in weather and climate affects plants, animals, and people.
Today's focus was on Mediterranean Climates Around the Globe! We know that the climate in San Francisco is special, cool, and coastal, but there are many climates like ours around the world. That's why plants from similar climates are able to thrive here!
Feeling confused? Don't worry. Even I still struggle with the difference between weather and climate these days.
Weather is defined as the day-to-day variation of the atmosphere's condition locally, while climate is defined as the variations of weather conditions over long periods of time.
Today's focus was on Mediterranean Climates Around the Globe! We know that the climate in San Francisco is special, cool, and coastal, but there are many climates like ours around the world. That's why plants from similar climates are able to thrive here! Mediterranean climates are very pleasant with warm, dry summers and cooler, mild winters. Mediterranean climates are only found along the coast!
Our first day of camp was spent familiarizing ourselves with the Garden as well as learning how we behave in different gardens throughout. Did you know that the only garden we can actively touch and feel the plants is the Children's Garden? The Children's Garden has so much space for us as well as different plants for us to be exposed to us.
A large portion of our time today was spent learning about habitats. To first do this we asked campers to think about their own habitats--the homes that they live in!
There are five essential things needed to make a habitat. Does your camper remember any of them?
1) Water
2) Food
3) Shelter
4) Oxygen
5) Safety to raise young ones
We also talked about how there are big habitats and small habitats. To do this we thought about the Botanical Garden, and how the Garden is a big habitat. Then our Content Specialist AJ flipped over a log to look at roly-poly bugs and explained all about the smaller habitats that exist as well.
Throughout the day we spent a lot of time journaling as well, recording observations from different parts all over the Garden. What was your camper's favorite place they went to today?
Questions For My Camper:
We would love for you to continue engaging with your camper now that the day has ended and preparing them for their time in the Garden tomorrow. Here are some questions that you could ask them to get the conversation started!
-What are some of the things that you did in the Children's Garden today?
-Did you observe any insects or bugs today? Could you describe what you saw to me?
-Do you know some of the things that make up a Mediterranean climate? What are they?
Tomorrow we'll keep exploring together while continuing to think about all the Extraordinary Ecosystems that we can find in the Garden. We had a great day with your campers and are excited for a fun filled week!
See you tomorrow!
Jenn Tapler
she/her
Garden Camp Director
Office: 415-661-1316 x404
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