Leslie describing arthropods that can fly. Meghan shows her group why birds can fly – the kids feel the difference between a “hollow” bird bone and a mammal bone. Hefting the mammal bone. Feeling a delicate bird bone. Smelling (!?) a bird bone! Meghan shows the kids a real condor feather. Bob & Helen take the kids for a hike through the Center to watch for birds.

Hiking though the Center. Flying our model airplanes. Frank – a REAL pilot, gives the kids some pointers. Meghan & Jeanine play a fun game to learn their camper’s names.

Mother’s Market was kind enough to donate canvas bags for us to use on Naturama Day – when all the campers rotate through 5 fun stations, creating take-home items. Now they can re-use their bags at any store, rather than using disposable plastic or paper bags!Camp Teacher Valerie talks about why using re-usable bags is important. Making animal tracks in Nature Connections.

Making South American clay masks. An African Fly Swatter. Middle Eastern Food. Middle Eastern Dancers. Shelby & Samantha read the Campers an interactive story. Painting a mancala – a game from Africa. Part of the African Scavenger Hunt – Blue & Green Group. Testing out the shelter in Outdoor Skills Camp. Sama is a great storyteller! Jeanine & the Nature Connections Campers pause to observe life in the desert oasis.

The black group poses for a photo in the zoo’s farm area. We always knew ENC campers hatched from eggs! Petting goats. Turgundy on safari. This bird is red. 😉 A hedgehog. Elephant scat. Parrots. An iguana. Monique our educator. A SHADY amphitheater!

Frank, a camp teacher. Sama’s raffle. Jeanine’s Afternoon Camp, Nature Connections. Kean’s hat. Gabriel’s Inuit Toy.

Turgundy took a safari to South America. They learned about bats and hummingbirds, then practiced with bolas -an indigenous hunting tool.Eating South American fruit.Black & White made water art!South American grain.The log area!Mr. Dan took his Campers to Ireland!Helen and Bob took their campers to Africa – I think!Valerie took her campers to Canada!Meghan & Sama took their campers to Australia.Mr. Dan making “passport pictures.”Animator Brandon Strathman (from Family Guy) shows campers how to illustrate animals.

The ENC celebrated it’s annual Butterfly House Opening & Eco-Faire on May 2, 2009. The Alma Latina Dance Troop performed their dance, “metamorphosis” for us. Mike, our Grounds Coordinator, sold locally native butterfly host and nectar plants. Participants looked at butterfly wings under the microscopes. Many decorated re-useable canvas bags.  Canvas bags are WAY better for the environment than plastic bags, or even paper bags. Cohen the Violinist serenaded the crowd. Participants got a close-up look at our insect collection – featuring moths and butterflies (which had been collected long ago).  The ENC does not condone or allow the collection of insects or any animal from the wild. Participants made candle holders using recycled glass jars, tissue paper and glue. Some made pencil holders using recycled soup…

Wilderness Survival campers learning how to sterilize water…Holding a crayfish.Netting for crayfish.Digging in the midden.Staring a fire. Building a “log cabin” fire, striking a match.Touching a toad.Dressing like a reptile!Dressing like a mammal.Competing in a solar race.Filming our “documentary.”Building a shelter.Testing to see if our shelter is waterproof.Learning about edible plants.Making an alligator out of clay.

The Environmental Nature Center hosted “Positively Green,” on March 17, 2009 celebrating our Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).  What a “cool” ice sculpture! ENC Lead Naturalist Dan Green & Naturalist Kathy Wiedel pose for the camera! Don’t drop it!   The plaque is made from recycled glass – of course! Green martinis for everyone!  Lets celebrate. The classroom was set up with props from many of our education programs, so guests could get a taste of what we do. Leslie served the ice cream! ENC staff Jenny Weinberger, Dan Green, Kathy Wiedel & Leslie Helliwell – fabulous Naturalists and an all around great looking group of people!

Wearing our God masks. Holding crayfish. Building a safe fire. Sand paintings! Building a dry shelter. Creating our sand painintgs. Making friends while building our shelter. Preparing for our sand paintings.

Campers in “Native American” Camp made beaded necklaces with a bear claw! Showing off a necklace.  The string was made by campers using palm leaves, and the shells were drilled by hand with pump drills -just like the Natives Americans did it! Making mini shelters in “Wilderness Survival” Camp. Making string takes team work! Listening attentively to Mr. Dan! Mark shows campers how to tie knots.