We had an incredible second day of camp here at Garden Camp this week!
While continuing to learn all about some of the Extraordinary Ecosystems we have here in the Garden, today our campers focused their attention on the Coast Redwood Forest.
Did you know that coast redwoods are the tallest trees in the world? Redwood forests help cool the planet through carbon sequestration! These forests create incredible ecosystems that contain fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals.
Our campers spent most of their day in our very own Redwood Grove as they explored it in depth. To start their day they spent some time stretching and warming up their bodies. One of our favorite games this week is to make a circle, and then one of our leaders will shout out an animal, and then all of our campers will pretend to be that animal! Which animal is your camper's favorite to copy?
We also had some time today to do some art with our Content Specialist, Spencer. Spencer had us do some tree etchings. Does your camper remember the process? On the back of their tree etchings they were asked to draw an experience or something in their lives that has helped them grow. Many of our campers drew about the birth of their siblings!
We learned a lot about how redwoods work with our other Content Specialist, AJ. Did you know that some amphibians live in redwood trees and never even come down to the ground? Redwoods have spongey bark that absorbs more moisture. They even grow to be so tall that at a certain height, they start absorbing moisture through fog that passes through!
If you and your camper are looking for more information about redwoods, this website here has some fun information that you can look over together! https://www.savetheredwoods.org/redwoods/interactive-redwood-forest-facts/
This week as we learn about ecosystems, campers are working hard on group projects to recreate ecosystems of their own. Today campers had the opportunity to learn about different animals they might see around Golden Gate Park and what their habitats look like. After forming groups they were able to read up on their assigned animals and start creating!
Questions For My Camper:
-I hear you spent a lot of time in the redwood grove today. What is something new you learned about redwood trees today?
-Did you get to feel the bark of the redwood today? What did it feel like? Can you describe it to me?
-What memories did you include on the back of your tree etching? How have those memories helped you grow?
-What animal did you get for the ecosystem project? What is something new you learned about that animal?
Tomorrow morning we'll be handing out our camp shirts to your campers before we head out on Adventure Day. This means there will either be some layering that occurs if your camper wants to slip the new shirt over their shirt, or we can have them take off their under layer. It's supposed to be a little cooler tomorrow but our staff will remain vigilant in regards to water breaks, sunscreen, and keeping your campers safe and cared for! We are handing out shirts the morning of Adventure Day so we can make sure everyone in the group is uniform and easier to find as we leave the Garden. Staff will also be wearing their Garden Camp shirts and we will take group pictures!
Tomorrow for Adventure Day, our campers will be heading to the Japanese Tea Garden to continue learning all about ecosystems. The garden is just a short walk away from the Botanical Garden here in the Golden Gate Park. We're excited to venture out and see some of the other incredible opportunities with our partners just next door.
We'll see you then!
Jenn Tapler
she/her
Garden Camp Director
Office: 415-661-1316 x404
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