Inspire Nature Forest Camp

We had an amazing week in the forest at Etienne Brule Park near the Humber River.  The environment was such a contrast from the wide open space of the previous week on the shore of Lake Ontario.  We thought that we might continue with land art inspired by Andy Goldsworthy, but we were taken on a new adventure once we discovered the teaming life beneath the logs of the forest.  Although the learning took a different tack, it still progressed naturally from the initial engagement of discovering the forest, to exploring the environment, through investigating forest homes and sharing our discoveries with our families!

Please post a comment to tell us what you notice and what you wonder about our Forest Camp.

Inspire Nature at Humber Bay: Investigation

The learning at our Inspire Nature day camp flowed naturally.  We began with an engaging environment which we gave everyone ample time to explore.  After they explored the materials and the environment they naturally began to investigate by asking questions and experimenting with possible solutions. Being in nature allowed them to experience what worked and what didn't.  Giving them enough time allowed them the space to continue to innovate new solutions.  Who says girls are not natural engineers?!

Inspire Nature at Humber Bay: Exploration

The next phase in learning is exploration.  This is where the learner has time to explore the materials and the environment.  By introducing the children to Andy Goldsworthy's art we invite them to explore the possibilities of creating art with the natural materials we find along the shore of the lake.

If given enough time, human beings will naturally start to do something with the materials around them. Towards the end of this film, when big questions start to emerge, we see the beginning of the next phase of learning which is called investigation which will be the subject of our next movie.

Inspire Nature at Humber Bay

Inspire Nature at Humber Bay

This week Sara and I and a small group of campers launched Inspire Nature's Day Camp at Humber Bay Park.  The intent was to give everyone the opportunity to learn naturally.  This happens best when children (and adults) are first met with an experience that engages their interest.  Next, the learner needs time to explore the context and the environment.  If given the right opportunity and enough time, human beings naturally begin to investigate and apply what they have found engaging and have had time to explore.  In order for the learning to be complete, we as social animals need the opportunity to communicate, so please watch our movies with your children and feel free to post your comments to share what you notice and what you wonder about their learning!

Please follow the link below to the iMovie that we made that documents this learning process during our first day at Humber Bay.  Keep watching this space to see how the children's experience grows naturally through the week following the same process (engagement, exploration, investigation and communication):

Mirror, Mirror...

Adding dimension by playing with mirrors: I used found mirrors (curb side, parent's basement, yard sale) to enhance outdoor play.  I simply added mirrors to a "small world" invitation to play, the outdoor block centre and a planting invitation to play.  Kids were playing within seconds.

The scent of Cinnamon

The first week we just explored with smelling different herbs and spices that were in my spice drawer.  I found some great little jars at The Dollar Store that worked well to safely store the spices.  Most of the kids in the first week were able to identify cinnamon.  The other spices were turmeric, nutmeg, oregano, basil and dill seed.
The second week I made labels of the names of the spices and the children took turns, many times during the week, to try their hand at matching the spices with the correct name.

Simple and engaging.

Colourful Play Doh

This is clearly a sensory activity, but as usual, it turns into so much more.  The table was wrapped in painting paper.  Fresh, homemade play doh was placed on the table with washable markers stuck in the play doh like a porcupine.  (Thanks to Leslie at the Parenting and Family Literacy Centre at IRC for this idea).

Early on, the markers were so strong that their colour came through the paper.  "Look, look what I made!" 

Another child was intrigued and said, "That looks like a peacock!" and proceeded to create a head with play doh. Brilliant!

By the end of the week, the markers were no more, kaput, done, gone to rest.  If these markers are dipped in water, the children can make some beautiful "water colour" paintings.  The play doh ended up being a deep purple.  It can be reused for another activity.