MSU Extension Tollgate Farm and Education Center

Green Science Adventure Camp: Day 4

Happy Thursday!!! This was the fourth day of our 2022 Green Science Adventure Camp, and the summer heat has arrived. We made sure to find time for shade and hydrate and reapply sunscreen to protect us from the summer heat! 

Animal Chores

Today was another day of animal chores. The Green peppers had a blast visiting the chickens, the yellow Milked a Goat! the orange visited the rabbits, while the red went to say hi to the ducks! The chickens are always a hit to visit and pick up while the yellow group did an amazing job learning about milking goats while some were brave enough to give goat milking a try! Leslie the goat was very happy to have such brave and kind campers milk her! 

Yoga with Mrs. Kathy 

This morning Mrs. Kathy and Mr. Tom stopped by to help us plant seeds of intention and shared a yoga sequence all about the lifecycle and seasons of plants. We took this moment to relax and enjoy the shade and breeze, and focus on out breathing while enjoying some deep stretches. 

It was so nice to end this yoga session with a our breathing buddies and their relaxing scent of lavender. Thank you so much Mrs. Kathy and Mr. Tom. This was such a relaxing and memorable experience. 

Garden Kitchen

Keeping with the theme of Green Science, today's two recipes were a Green Hummus & and a Spinach Tomato Tart. Both recipes were delicious and green. The hummus was definitely the star of the show today. It was filled with chickpeas, spinach, artichokes and garlic! 

We look forward to one more tasty green snack tomorrow! 

Forest Track Traps

Today campers trekked back to the forest to visit the track traps they set out yesterday. I few of the groups didn't get to laying theirs out yesterday so they took this moment to lay out their "Trap".  Today when checking out our footprints we saw a lot of raccoon action, and maybe some squirrel and groundhog prints!

The red pepper group was also excited to find a very complete raccoon skeleton in the forest. Hopefully we can dry out these discovered bones to put up a skeleton display. 

CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Visit with Farmer Darby! 

The campers were excited to brave the hot agriculture fields with Farmer Darby to explore where potatoes come from. We learned that they are planted every year and grow really fast! The farmers in these fields use tractors with implements to help them weed and mound the potatoes. We also learned that the green spots on potatoes that you see in the grocery store or on potato chips just means that that potato was exposed to sun light when it was growing. There is nothing wrong with it, its just a reaction that happens when the sun hits it. 

STEAM: Sustainable Farm

For our sustainable farm project today was the last day for construction and planning.  Campers added the finishing touches, all the small details, and last minute additions. Todays conversation was zero waste and sustainable changes. We saw a lot of well balanced animal barns, crop fields, and water sources. Campers did a great job at taking what they have seen at the farm and the information they are learning when creating their final product. We cannot wait to see the final product when each camp group presents about their sustainable farm tomorrow. 

Horse Grooming With Mrs. Diane

A crowd favorite today was Horse Grooming. We met up with Mrs. Diane and learned about our two Pony's (or Pony and Mini Horse) Friday and Sesame. Mrs. Diane talked to the camper groups about horse safety, why we groom horses, they types of brushes, and so much more. Campers LOVED the hands on experience of brushing a horse. Even though the flies were VERY active in the horse barn, we had a GREAT time! 

Day four has come to and end! 

We cannot wait to see everyone for day 5 tomorrow!

Don't forget tomorrow is Tie Dye T-shirt Friday and please join us for Closing Ceremony 3:20-3:45pm! There will be fun, skits, and I'm sure lots of laughter. 

See you all tomorrow! 

And have no fear! An album filled with pictures will be shared tomorrow :) 

Some Aftercare fun!