King Snake update:  Well, we definitely have a resident king snake.  As I mentioned in my previous post,  king snakes are not poisonous but please if you see it keep a respectful distance.

From king snake and new foal

One of our activities this month at camp will be an ongoing sewing circle.  I have a selection of cotton fabric rectangles for the children to choose from.  Our first project is a garden flag.  To get the kids started I’ve threaded needles (real needles with sharp points) .  We folded over a casing and safety pinned it in place.  The kids used the poke and pull “method” of stitching to complete their first project.  I love having the kids use contrasting thread so we can see every “perfect” stitch.   The kids can make endless flags and string them together or…..when they’re ready they can make a pillow or maybe a little pouch.  All these projects only require a straight stitch and a square of fabric.  I’ll work with the older kids to thread their own needle but that can be frustrating for little kids and keep them from starting so I’ll thread the needle for anyone who wants me to.

From sewing circle

The last day of each session of camp we cook.  I have a great cook book with recipes designed for kids to make a small portion snack.  We made cheese pretzels last week.  The kids scooped and leveled, measured and stirred then kneaded their dough.  These recipes are so forgiving; a little too much flour, not enough yeast didn’t knead very long, extra cheese……doesn’t matter all the pretzels were delicious and different.  This particular recipe for pretzels is one of the better ones to prepare at home.  The recipes for cookies or breads don’t make a lot of sense…might as well make a full batch but this recipe makes 4 pretzels and only has a few ingredients .  YUMMMY!

We’ve had a couple really hot days at camp.  So hot that I brought out popsicles for everyone and hooked up the mister to cool things down…..still too hot!   It was so hot I could hardly get the kids to help me plant marigolds in the garden.  They wisely preferred to explore in the shade of the pine trees and do crafts under the oak tree.

From popcicles marigolds

One of the kids asked if it was ok to touch the snake.  I said king snakes  are not poisonous but they will bite.  I encourage the kids to leave a good distance from snakes and not bother the critters in nature.  No one can resist picking up the little frogs that try to hide in the cool grass and I’ve seen some of the kids try to catch the blue bellied lizards that are always darting around.  No one has caught a lizard yet this summer but plenty of frogs have been caught and released. 

I didn’t get a picture of the snake but I did get a picture of a HUGE beetle Emma found hiding in the bark of a pine tree.  I’m not sure how she saw it…..kids have better eyes, maybe more inquisitive then mine.

From big beetle