It’s been a hot summer, but that didn’t stop our Nature-based Summer Campers from exploring, playing, learning, and enjoying all the surprises that Frazer Forest has to offer.

Families with rising kindergarteners and first-graders had 8 weekly camp sessions to choose from. Days were filled with child-led play, focused explorations, creek splashing, and arts and crafts.

Each week an expert visitor joined the campers to share their nature knowledge:

• Teacher of Earth Science and Planetary Geologist, R. Scott Harris, awed the campers with the huge rocks he presented and tools he uses in the field.
• Kaitlin Goode, Urban Wildlife Program Manager with the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, fascinated the children with a collection of skulls and the pelts of a fox, rabbit, coyote, deer, bobcat, possum and more.
• “Ms Ladybug” delighted the campers by using puppets to explain the importance of pollinators and pollination.
• Rose Guerrera from Birds Georgia and the Dunwoody Nature Center shared fun facts about birds and their feathers, and the life cycle of butterflies. 
• Marley Kern from Trees Atlanta demonstrated how seeds are dispersed by animals and in the end become trees. 
• The campers were fascinated to learn from Laurie Stevens, our neighborhood citizen scientist and her colleague, Brian, how the creek water in the Frazer Forest eventually ends up in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. 
• And Frazer’s own Early Intervention Coordinator Denise Amos invited the campers to plant cantaloupe seedlings and ginger roots in the Courtyard Garden.

Although nature took center stage, arts and crafts were part of the scene every day, from decorated hiking sticks, to painted rocks, shadow boxes, and butterflies made from leaves and sticks. No pollinators were harmed in the making of this art! In fact, each day began with the campers reciting this mantra written by Camp Supervisor and Nature-based Curriculum Coordinator Kim Corson:

Our Promise to Nature
I will respect nature.
As I explore, I will keep our earth clean and our water pure.
As I play, I will handle insects and animals with gentle touches.
As I walk, I will admire the awesomeness of nature and its hidden treasures. 
As I sit, I will listen as it speaks and sings to me.
As I care for nature, it will provide for me.

That’s not the only touch of poetry the campers experienced. Local nature poet Stephen Wing shared with our campers about creating nature poetry. Mr. Wing documented the campers’ observations of nature and culled them into a beautiful poem (see below.)

The campers had a wonderful time this summer and went home each day tired but happy—and hopefully, with more and more appreciation of Frazer Forest and Mother Nature.

TAKING CARE OF NATURE
by The Frazer Center Nature Camp Kids and Stephen Wing

Here in the forest
trees are growing, 
leaves are growing,
flowers are growing
and I’m growing too!

I saw a red cardinal, 
a bird fluttering behind the leaves, 
a bird nest in a tree,
I can see some feathers--
Do the birds see me?

Right in front of my nose, 
I see bugs crawling,
in the distance
I see names carved on a tree

I see trees moving side to side
in the wind
and I hear raindrops
when it isn’t even raining

I hear birds humming,
water swishing in the creek,
mosquitos just traveling on.
I hear voices of people nearby
and a firetruck far away.

Here in the forest
I’m taking care of nature
and nature is taking care of me!