A Camping Weekend (2000)
Rebecca Prewett
At camp, the children engaged in many completely self-directed activities:
•pitched their own tent (a new 4-person tent)
•started the campfire with an old-fashioned flint
•hiked and explored
•communicated via family band radio
•studied bugs and caterpillars in their natural habitat
•discussed where and how they would dam the stream if this was their land
•watched deer
•watched birds
•examined plants and wildflowers; differentiated native species from cultivated species
•identified animal tracks
•compared and contrasted habitat of redwood grove with redwood groves further north
•studied erosion caused by streams
•examined spider webs
•climbed boulders and tree trunks
•made journal entries
Meanwhile, I watched...and made journal entries of my own. I remembered past camping trips, when I had tried to become way too field-tripish, forcing the children to gather 'round me and learn to use our assortment of field guides. They never seemed as excited about such things as I did. But the older ones did learn to use field guides! But on this trip, the field guides only came out when the children brought them out. Most of all, without my direction, my crew explored a variety of things at their own pace and ended up doing and learning more than if I had been directing them. Plus, we all had more fun. I enjoyed watching my children revel in the freedom of their adventure. A cup of coffee, a beautiful setting, an open journal, and my children playfully learning and exploring--all was well in my world.
copyright 2000, 2003 by Rebecca Prewett
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