Welcome to the 1800s
This month we helped put on the first spring Outdoor Education in years. Typically they happen in the Fall but with Covid the past 2 years we couldn’t wait any longer. We had anywhere from 150-200 kids each day on average for 2 weeks of the program.
What is Outdoor Education?
Outdoor Ed is a program at Camp Nathanael where we transform camp into a field trip destination to come and learn about science, history, and social studies. This Spring was Pioneer Days! We had around 30-40 volunteers who come to help put the program on! Stations are set up to teach about life in the 1800s including blacksmithing, butter making, weaving, and candle making. And everyone is is period specific clothing.
What would a typical day look like?
930am – Everyone arrives and are greeted by a volunteer dressed in the 1800s. Typically the volunteer will comment on how funny the children are dressed in comparison to the fashion of the 1800s.
945am – Everyone gathers to watch a opening presentation filled with jokes and talks about life in the Pioneer Days which ends with a musket loader gun being shot (with a blank) which is met with squeals from the students.
10am – 1130am – Students go from station to station to learn about life in the 1800s with live demonstrations from the blacksmith making actual nails with hot coals, to the butter maker which ends in the kids getting to try butter made during the session on cornbread, to the weaver where the kids can practice their new skills. Not to mention live animals to pet including goats, a donkey, and rabbits. Tess helped teach some of the lessons in the laundry/soap making station where kids tried using a wash board. Did you know laundry took 3 days to complete?
1130a-12p – Students eat lunch in our picnic shelter.
12p-130p – The afternoon is filled with more stations and then playing Pioneer Games including climbing hay bails, milking cows, and playing with “grace hoops.” Jasper and Piper helped with some of the games in the afternoons!
As you can imagine there is a lot of planning and cleanup that goes into each day. We are thankful to work with some amazing fellow workers who coordinate so well and are excited to be able to be a small part in an amazing trip. Some of these kids are excited to come back this summer.
If you are interested in volunteering for Outdoor Ed in the Fall let us know! There is lodging on campus and it’s a blast hanging out with the volunteers. Some of our volunteers are retired and have come for years other are families that homeschool. Some come for the full time set up, program, and tear down (3 full weeks) and some come for just a week to help. The Fall will be a longer program starting on September 8th-October 1st and centered around Trees (how they grow, are used, and more)!
Pray with us!
This next weekend, May 6th-7th, is Married Couples Retreat. There is still room if you are wanting to join (It’s $100 per couple and includes lodging and food)! It’s a weekend dedicated to strengthening marriages and enjoying amazing food. This is a weekend solely for couples so alternate plans will be needed for kids.
May begins the final preparations for Summer Camp which will last 7 weeks.
We will also be traveling to visit with Tess’ family in Michigan and remember her grandmother, Vi Henderson, who passed away earlier this year.
Thank you so much for your support and prayers!