..........and winter came!

Winter has arrived, really arrived, very cold, wind, and no school.

No school means no Outdoor Adventures after school.

It would be fun tracking all the critters in Wildcat Woods to see

what they were up to in the snow. We will probably get the chance

before the year is over. So with that I wish all of you a happy Turkey Day,

and see you next week. 

Note: just to check how many after school kids look at this blog, draw a cool picture of a "wild turkey" and 
give it to me next week there could be a little prize. (hint, the feather in the picture is from a wild turkey).  

The Juncos Dance

The Dark Eyed Junco is native to our area and a frequent visitor to bird feeders. Like tiny chickens Juncos can be seen scratching for insects, seeds and weeds on the ground.


Snow is like nature's encyclopedia you can see who went where, who ate who, who left some scat and so on. It's  fun to play CSI and try and figure these little mystery s out, for instance the picture shows a series of Junco tracks, but how many Juncos? 4? or 1 really busy one? Maybe it was practicing for DWTS.   

The Salmon's Story

econd and 3rd grades have been learning about the lives of the salmon in our rivers. We have 5 kinds of salmon that spawn in our waters. All of our nearby rivers and creeks are home to Chinook, Coho, Chum salmon and Steelhead trout. They all have basically the same life cycle except timing and length of stay in fresh water. The Outdoor Adventures kids had a class complete with real salmon eggs, spawning gravel etc. It was followed up with a National Geographic video where they saw the real thing. 

SURVIVAL

IF YOU'RE LOST! 2nd graders have been learning what to do if they should ever find themselves lost while hiking or playing in the forest.
There are a few simple rules that will greatly improve their staying alive for at least 72 hrs.
1. Tell an adult where you or you and you friends are going and how long you will be gone.
2. Take a look at the weather and take the right clothes.
3. Take the 2 most important pieces of survival equipment you can have... a large plastic garbage sack and most important of all   your brain!
2. Stay with your friends or group NEVER wander off alone!
3.If you think you may be lost STOP where you are look around for close by tree, stump, log even a large rock. That is going to be your home till someone finds you.
4. Go sit down next to the tree etc and think about what you have that well help you stay warm and dry.. that's where the garbage sack comes in. Take it out of your pocket/pack and open it up, find the bottom, with your finger or stick poke a hole in the center of the bag and a little ways down from the bottom.
5. Stretch the hole just big enough for your face to poke through, sit down by your best buddy the tree etc. pull the bag over your knees and down to your feet  cuddle up inside and you'll be warm in no time.
6. If you hear someone searching stand up take the bag off wave scream, holler to let them see you.

Outdoor Adventures Class of 2010/2011

Almost all of the over 85 students enrolled in the Weyerhaeuser "Outdoor Adventure" Program.
24 second graders,19 third graders, 25 4th graders, 17 5th graders; program coordinator Garry Anderson and program assistant Stephaine Merrival. These kids are our future citizens and we are proud of each and everyone of them.    

New Program Assistant

Please welcome Stephanie Merrival (also known as Mrs. M)

She is my new program assistant with the Outdoor Adventures Program and the newest staff member for Youth Connection.

Mrs. M lives on a small farm with her husband and a bunch of lovable critters including a 140+ pound St Bernard. She also has a pond full of frogs that have invited the kids over for Spring Break Camp (nets n all).

Mrs. M brings a diverse set of skills to the program including: pastry chef (just wait till summer camp), wedding photographer, tree planter and wait till you see her safety gear!

She is also a graduate of Eatonville High and Weyerhaeuser Ele. 

(She remembers Wildcat Woods when it had big trees)

So be prepared for exciting activities this year.