Nature Explorers: Flowers & Seed Bombs

Coordinators: Amanda Graves & Rachel Hallila

Ages: all ages

For questions or comments, please use this forum: https://www.thehomeschoolcouncil.org/forum/nature-explorers

SPECIFIC EVENT INFORMATION:

About the Park: The Mercer Botanic Gardens is a beautiful park with bathrooms. Easy access for strollers and wagons. We will want to arrive 10 minutes early or so, to provide time for restrooms before we set off through the park. We will walk and enjoy the blooms before settling for a story and project, so having some walking-snacks might work best. Base Camp will be near the back of the park.

We’ll meet at the water fountain near the front gate. Right in front of the nature center. Then we’ll pass through the herb garden, on our loop around the cultivated section.

Picnicking is not allowed on this side, so bring snacks that won’t leave big messes and that they can eat on the move.

The loop is easy for preschoolers to walk the whole way, but feel free to bring a stroller/wagon for water bottles or a child that just can’t anymore.

Bathrooms and water fountain will be near the end of our loop, but it’s a quick walk from the front gate if you’re needing amenities when you arrive. We’ll get there early for this reason. 😉

We will read and make seed bombs at the 3/4 mark on our loop - a great spot for water and snack. There are benches, so no need for blankets.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Class Name: Nature Explorers

Format: Gather on blankets at Base Camp, eat snack or lunch while we introduce topic (via book/poem), then go exploring, and wrap up with craft or show and tell.

Rules & Guidelines:

- Parents/Guardians are responsible for their own child/children at all times during all events/meetings.

- Parents/Guardians must insure that all members of their family/party know the group rules.

1. All individuals, adults and children, must stay with the group at all times.
2. If you need to leave, please inform one of the volunteers.
3. During all events make sure that your child is within your view, younger children must be a sprint-reach away.
4. No child should lead/leave the group without an adult; likewise, no child should be left behind without an adult.

General Supplies: blanket, lunch or snacks, water, bug spray, sunscreen, magnifying glass, identification books or apps, anything else that encourages your kid to explore nature, and be sure to wear clothing that can get messy!

Note About Base Camp: Always check comments' section after arrival - we will use that area to communicate any location changes or helpful information.

A note about rainy weather: If there is lightning/thunder or any other dangerous weather, then we will cancel. If we land a perfectly fun rainy day, then we will enjoy a rainy walk at Little Cypress Creek Reserve - getting a peek at how the woods and wildlife react to rain.

Please keep your RSVP updated. If you need to cancel your ticket do so as soon as you know you can’t make it. Post on this forum to cancel your ticket: https://www.thehomeschoolcouncil.org/forum/i-need-to-cancel-my-tickets

Bring: general supplies.