Have you ever faced an obstacle? I’m sure you have encountered many at this point.
Obstacles frustrate us. They make us struggle. We have to stop, think and come up with a plan. The process can be painful and tiring, but given some time, we get through it and on our way ...to the next one.
Working through obstacles is a daily process for children too. We believe that time spent in nature is ideal for kids to test their ability to handle a bump in the trail. If adults can step back and let the child figure out what to do next, he or she will. They will get past that bump and now hold the power to successfully navigate the next thing that stands in their way.
We were challenged when it came to planning our 2020 Nature Connections Summer Camp. Could we design a camp where kids have fun, learn about conservation, and still be mindful of our dedication to our community’s safety?
Camp Director, Amanda Bestor, answered this with a 4-week series of one-day camps. Two camps for hikers and two for bikers. Each camp focused on a different theme; Nature Art + Games, Forest Mammals + Ecology, Aquatic Habitat Exploration, and Fur, Fin + Feather Fun. All camps would be in-person and on the refuge.
And how did it go?
The campers arrived in the morning and set about creating art with natural materials. They played nature-themed tag, socially distancing with foam noodles on their hands. They rode the wagon through the refuge, hiked along the Bitterroot River and watched a family of deer along the way. Stopping for lunch next to a pond, the campers then spent the afternoon absorbing lessons about birds, insects, and wildlife habitat through games and activities. All of this plus a dip in a little byway next to the river to splash around and cool off.
Walking with the campers to the wagon for a ride back to the barn, it’s clear they had a great day. A day that made their whole summer! This day, spent amongst the trees, the birds, the deer, and the water skeeters (not to mention the mosquitos) left a lifelong impression on them. In nature, they had time to relax, engage, and find out how they belong in this world.
More than once you could hear a camper shout, “This was the best day ever!”
Make sure that Teller continues to provide these experiences for youth throughout the year. Donate to Lucy’s Fund. “Best day ever!” is something that every kid should find in nature.
The History of Lucy’s Fund
Lucy’s Fund originated in 2013 during a women’s brunch hosted by Teller board members, Judy Estler, Nina Bonnie, and Lucy Tompkins. Lucy envisioned a women’s group to fund educational programs and community outreach at Teller. The women in attendance were inspired by this great opportunity to become a part of something larger. “Lucy’s Fund” was named to recognize Lucy Tompkins and her long-standing devotion to Teller and our educational programs.
Just as we all grow, change, and adapt, so has Lucy’s Fund. What started as a small women’s luncheon has grown to an all-inclusive group of supporters with one thing in mind; conservation education. Today, Lucy’s Fund supports our educational and community outreach programs, youth camps, school field trips, Youth Conservation + Education Expo, and other programs hosted by Teller Wildlife Refuge.