Creation Care Kids' Camp, June 20-23, 2011

Creation Care Camp week three is officially finished. This was our largest group with 21 campers, and like the previous two weeks, we had a great time! It just keeps getting better. Day one had us out on the long Geology hike through the San Marcos Foothills Preserve Park. We worked hard to understand the dynamic nature of how the earth is shaped and continues to be shaped. In addition we had a nice visit with a very friendly California King Snake and had the opportunity to watch several Brush Bunnies and gophers in a restoration area along Atascadero Creek. It was kind of like a zoo… On day two we focused on recycling and composting with a visit from my friend Eric. Kids are all certified recycling cops and will hold you accountable! After that my friend Dr. Mike Caterino of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History again visited us and we went sweeping for insects. The kids really enjoyed being able to tear apart old oak logs in search of larvae and termites. On day three we set out on our native plant walk. After touching, smelling and even tasting a few of the plants along the trial we came back to the farm for a snack and a time with Tima Lotah Link who shared with us how the Chumash of Santa Barbara used the native plants. She brought along several baskets, a bow, and many toys made from plants in our area. She even got us up singing and dancing a couple traditional songs. We finished the day planting pumpkins for a fall harvest party, beans to take home, and working in the field to help the tomatoes with Farmer Emiko. That evening brought campers and families from all three weeks out for some astronomical fun, a night hike, a slide show, and desserts. The Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit were on hand to help us see Saturn, rings and all, as well as share pieces of meteorite and starry tales. The hike felt a bit like a 60 person long Pied Piper serpentine up and around the botany trail. Lots of smiles, and I got to see the night-only blooming native Soap Bulb in full bloom for the first time. For our final day of camp Mark Holmgren once again led us on a bird walk through the San Marcos Foothills Preserve Park. We again got to see out resident pair of White Tailed Kites. Our last stop was with Max the Great Horned Owl and Kachina the American Kestrel presented by the Santa Barbara Audubon Society’s Eyes in the Sky program with Gabriele Drozdowski and Sarah Jane Robertson. It made it extra special in that while we were out hiking this week we found feathers from both birds. They live natively on the property. What a week!

Thank you again to all of our volunteers and helpers. I am overwhelmed that you all would volunteer your time to come out and share with us all. Thank you Mark, Mike, Eric, Tema, Alicia, Gabriele, Chuck, Pat, Paige, Emiko, Wally, Kayla, Makenzie, Megan, Sam, Sarah Jane, and Emma.

Also a very special thanks to Debra Warren who was our intern for the three weeks of camp. She left on Monday to head back home to Michigan. What a difference great help makes! You were a true blessing.

We have plans for a Harvest Festival in October/November as well as other potential afterschool and weekend events for kids, adults and families. Send me an email if you would like to be included on our monthly mailings marty.robertson@arocha.org.

Thanks!