Chronicles of Learn-a-lot #10 - Parrotheads!

HORAY FOR BIRDIES!

Chronicles of Learn-a-Lot #9 - Funky Faces

Artistic talent is something that tends to be unappreciated in today's society.  But to this day, a slight bit of art and creativity can bring ginormous smiles on the faces of the youth of today. Of course the art is on the smiling faces.

Yes face painting is a camp tradition from the previous year, and it's kept up this year as well. With designs such as:

-Flaming Basketballs
-Hello Kitty
-Spiderman
-Hearts
-Butterflies
-And much much more.

The kids were patient with their facial artistic masterpieces and enjoyed displaying the art on their faces throughout the camp's day.

In these bittersweet final days of Camp, the kids are loving every second of it, and so am I. I will miss you all.

-Jess

Chronicles of Learn-a-Lot #8: New to the Family

Animals are unpredictable creatures that bring about surprises at every possible chance. When the camp's doors opened on Monday morning to see a brand new hatched baby chick along with 23 Snake babies, shock and awe came across anyone who heard the tale.

The snakes have all been spread apart into smaller cases, to avoid fighting. One baby Chick hatched, the rest appeared to become casualties of overheating. But the surviving chick is now named, Carlos and continues it's chick life in the incubator to keep it warm.

We welcome all these creatures to our atrium, and when camp is over these animals will return to their natural habitats and be free to live the rest of their lives with freedom.

-Jess

Chronicles of Learn-a-Lot #7: Field Days & Field Trips

Field Trip:

The great outdoors is an ill visited place for kids, most children would rather watch television than go outside to play. Camp Learn-A-Lot attempts to remedy this with many outdoor activities, previously I spoke of the Camp's Water-Day, now it's time to talk of the more recent, Field Day

The Camp Learn-A-Lot Field Day consisted of twenty different stations where physical activity is required, usually competitive games. (Ie: Duck Duck Goose, Limbo, Hula Hoop path., Ect.)

Much like the Water Day post, I must say the pictures speak for themselves:

Field  Trip:

On Monday August 5th, the third grade students went on a class field trip to Nankin Mills Nature Center,where they were fed some pizza and given a backpack full of school supplies. 

 After all the backpacks were delivered and the pizza eaten, the students were given free reign to the playground just a leap away. For the rest of the school outing, the students played on the playground. 

Being outside can be fun

-Jess

Chronicles of Learn-A-Lot #6 - "HOT DOGS!"

Hot  Dogs, the long lost sixth food group. These snacks, torn from the pork remains of a pig then cooked and placed into a long form fitted bun are definitely a staple on American culture. So what better snack to serve at Camp Learn-A-Lot's parent/teacher meet and greet party than the immortal Frankfurter?

This meet and greet which took place on Tuesday July 30th 2013 was an undisputed success. Tutors and teachers gave out Hot Dogs, Rice Crispy Treats, chips, and a water to everyone who showed up to the Camp Event. As the parents enjoyed the meeting of everybody, the kids were given the chance to play on the playground, and spend time with their camp friends. 

Some of the kids occupied themselves with games of basketball on the
outdoor court. Others ran out into the field and played a little bit of football. Many activities involving activeness and getting the heartrace pumping.

One of the biggest group events I've seen at this meet/greet was the camp singing of the camp song Eye of the Tiger. Never have I seen such unity in kids so young. It was quite a beautiful sight to see if I do say so myself.


As I took pictures and analyzed the events, I met quite a few parents of the campers.  It was really pleasing to see so many parents dedicated to this program, and proud to have their child involved in it. It means a lot to the program to have such dedicated and happy parents.

The teacher/parent interaction was also quite astounding. The positive words about the camp were nearly endless, and altogether a pleasure for this writer to see at first hand.

I may not personally be the biggest fan of hot dogs, but if a party surrounding hot dogs can bring a group together like this, it's obviously doing something wonderful between people. And even a hot dog cynic like me to notice it's appeal to other people.

Chronicles of Learn-a-Lot #5 - The Great Outdoors.

What most people don't know is that most of the learning done at school is not done in a classroom. Confining students to a small room also confine's their intellects. Knowing this, every day the kids leave the classroom, and enter the sunlight of the great outdoors.

Aside from the previous mentioned water events, many activities are done outside, such as Kickball games, bug hunts, and good ol' fashioned playground fun!

We have three playgrounds at the camp. We spread the kids out through these three playgrounds so all children can have space enough for exercise. Usually these outdoor activities occur after lunch so all the campers can work off the sugars and carbohydrates that they put on.

This is also a great time for the teachers and tutors to have time away from a blackboard, and rest their vocal chords. Also, this is a wonderful time for the tutors to interact with their students in a less rigid and planned environment, which allows a connection to be made. Additionally, I highly doubt any teacher/tutor would complain about simply being outside and enjoying the lovely summer. 


The exercise and excitement, stimulates the brain and prepares the students for education they would've been more apprehensive to be exposed to without the outdoor fun.

-Jess

Chornicles Of Learn-A-Lot #4 - Diving In Deep

Oh so we've drenched the Campers with water-balloons and hoses, how can we ever top this achievement in dampness? The answer dear reader is: By taking them to swim in a thousand gallon pool at the high school.

Swimming at the Romulus High School is a weekly tradition carried out every Monday for all classes for roughly an hour.

The students start the swimming outing with a test of their swimming abilities, to figure out which of the three large pools they are experienced enough for. The most experienced swimmers are given the chance to dive off of a diving board into 14 foot deep water.

Many children through no fault of their own, swam in a 4 foot deep pool where they could play games with their friends, and have a jovial time altogether.

Along with the teachers, Camp Learn-A-Lot brought in four trained lifeguards to help out with keeping all campers at the school as safe as possible during the water-play.

Names: (Left to right)
Kevin Crawford
Andrew Burcroff
Lennon Paul
Gary Logerstedt




Swimming is a fun weekly activity that the children adore, it's a fun way to exercise the whole body without even knowing it.

-Jess