Activity 1: Using sweep nets to catch insects.
The nets were dragged across the long grass. The finds were tipped onto white sheets, and then any interesting creatures carefully transferred into pots for inspection. This activity ended abruptly when my child and his friend accidently disturbed a wasp's nest!
Activity 2: Guided Nature Walk
A short walk, pointing out interesting things along the way (which included parasites, animal tracks, trails made by deer, and fruit on the trees).
Activity 3: Pond dipping
Small nets were moved through the pond in a figure of 8. The contents were then tipped into trays for inspection.
Activity 4: Leaf Rubbing
The challenge was to collect a leaf bigger than your hand, one the same size as your hand, and one smaller than your hand. The leaves were then rubbed and identified.
Activity 5: Treasure Card and Leaf Veins
Small, interesting objects were collected and stuck on a piece of card. A leaf was held up to the light in order to see the tiny veins running through it.
Activity 6: Den Building
Working as a team a den large enough to fit everyone in was constructed. One of the boys in our group came up with a clever construction technique for making the den larger.
