In week one we had Messy Labs come to visit us! We learned about magnets and electricity. The children learned about positive and negative forces, polarity, the difference between complete and incomplete electrical circuits, as well as positive charge vs negative charges. The children created magnetic chains, circuits with lights, wires and playdoh as well as create static electricity with a balloons and socks.
In week two our special guest was from Play with Clay. The children had the opportunity to create a fairy door by following step by step instructions. While the campers explored the art of clay, they also developed their creative thinking skills as well as using their social skills as they worked at tables sharing templates and working alongside one another. Our trip was to Elora Museum where we explored the outdoors of their property. There was a farm themed park for us to play on and chickens for us to observe. In the barn was a group of ladies from puppets Elora to put on a puppet show for us. Before we watched the show, the children got the opportunity to maneuver an octopus parade puppet! Through story line of the puppet show and its characters, the children learned about playing fair, making decisions to stay out of trouble, being kind, and helping each other out.
In week three the tinker truck came to visit the campers. The children became scientists as they explored the parts of a rocket. When we were done learning about all the components of what makes a rocket aerodynamic, the children had the opportunity to create their very own rocket! The best part was that they could test launch their creations. As they created, the campers hypothesized that if they made sure the top of the rocket is covered and pointed, make it straight as possible and add fins on the side, their rockets will fly higher and further. This was the week the children got to go to RBJ Schlegel Park for its splash pad. Interestingly the children were more captivated in a water run off stream that was running in-between rocks. There was enough space for the children to sit in the stream, dip their feet in and move rocks to try and manipulate the flow of water.
Week four’s theme was National Geographic: Animal Planet. coincidentally coinciding with the theme, we had for the week, we had some unexpected visitors in the playground. It was a nest full of baby bunnies! The children curiously asked many questions like: How did they get there, Why did they choose that spot, what do they eat. Through these visitors we learned about a rabbit’s diet, their habitat and how to respect them, like being quiet and giving our playground’s wildlife space.
In week 5 we added some fun and creative twists to enhance the biking experience of our second bike rodeo of the summer– A McDonald’s and Starbucks drive thru. This allowed the campers to “order” drinks and homemade food items as part of their imaginative play. Our trip that week was to Huron park. The children loved playing on the natural playground! However, there were some unexpected hazards we had to be mindful of. The children discovered that the hill slide was home to two snakes! When all was quiet the curious harmless snakes would slither out and stare at the children. Perhaps it wanted to know who was stomping and sliding on the roof of their home. The children learned that when playing on the slide they need to be mindful of where they are stepping. The second hazard was a young skunk who seemed like it wanted to play in the sandbox too! We quickly vacated the area. It was close to lunch time so we made our way over to the picnic tables to eat before we go on a walk on the trails. While we were eating the children discovered a very climbable tree that could not be resisted!
Week 6 was a hot week! This called for a beach day during our under the sea themed week. Beach day was full of water play, beach balls and pool floaties. A few of the children found that the fastest way to cool down was to dump a bucket of cold water over their heads or sit in the water bin. Our trip in week 6 was to Kiwanis park! The kids’ favourite part of the trip was that they got to splash the educators with water! Some other highlights from that day was climbing a tree and finding a big, thick, green caterpillar. It reminded the children of the story, the very hungry caterpillar, especially since it crawled onto one of the camper’s backpacks while we were eating lunch. It seemed like it was looking for something to eat.
Week 7’s theme was imagination station. To start the week, we had an eco-inventor day. An eco-inventor is an inventor who creates innovations focused on sustainability and environmental protection. They often involve eco-friendly materials, renewable energy or waste reduction. Exploring this definition, we focused on using recycled materials to create items that we can use to enhance our play. Some of the things the children created were, robots, a space ship, an obstacle course for small animals, binoculars, a bed, and a lemonade stand. Lil’ Rays Reptiles came to visit us this week, the children got to get a up-close look at a Gecko, three snakes, a tortuous, a lizard, a caiman gator and a ferret! The Campers visited the Museum and experience the kaleidoscope exhibition as well as the Allura projection room. The Children were especially fascinated by the third level of the museum. The floor featured water play areas, climbing structures, infrared body movement displays, a nail bed, and the projection room. Another highlight was the ball pit on the 4th floor!
Week 8 was the last week of camp, the theme was, A Magical Ending. This week the campers explored movie magic by watching the film, willy Wonka and the chocolate factory. This week the children also explored colour changing magic. The children watched as blue water tinted by blue butterfly pea flowers changed to pink with lemon juice. The children predicted the water would change to green since the lemon juice is yellow, therefor blue + yellow = green. The children were mystified when the water changed from blue to purple to pink. This week’s trip was to Waterloo park where all camp locations came together for a BBQ lunch and play on a bouncy castle. At the end of the week we watched a slide show of all the photos we had taken over the last 7 weeks. The children enjoyed seeing themselves appear on screen and reminisce on past activities, special guests, and field trips. It was a summer filed with fun, laughter, curiosity, exploration, 
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lay and wonder.
