We got swept back in time this week to learn about the possibilities of what life was like in and along the South Platte River. On Monday we went way way back and looked into rocks and fossils to gleam any hints we could about what the land Colorado looked like millions of years ago. Did you know the Rocky Mountains used to be a beach for dinosaurs to roam and fish to swim in? Today we can see remnants of these critters, large and small, in our river through fossils and some of our bugs!
On Tuesday we explored what some of Colorado’s native animals are and what it could be like to be some of them! We danced like bees, shot water like skunk spray, and did some yoga like frogs and dogs! Then we got to meet some of these animals with Nature’s Educators who came with their peregrine falcon, tarantula, bunny, toad, snake, to show us. Thanks Will and Kade!
On Wednesday we welcomed a special guest from the Molly Brown House who came to teach us about Denver’s start as a city, the trials of floods and fires, and how the town came together and changed over time to look like it does today. We were amazed by the journeys we went on, arriving in Colorado for the first time in 1858 in search of gold and finding so much more.
Thursday we continued our journey through time discussing how kids throughout the ages would have had fun as well. We worked our way out of the gold mines like Colorado gold rush prospectors and delved into learning some stories and native weaving techniques used by the indigenous tribes of the Arapaho and Cheyenne. And, as always, we ventured into the South Platte river to recreate and catch critters (like many kids and groups have done so through time as well!).
Lastly, on Friday, we started off by looking for critters in the river again! Then, for field day, we enjoyed a new area of the park and learned even more ways that pioneer and Native American kids had fun. We created our initials out of some natural materials, played with hoops, as well as some simple team and tag games. We then wrapped up our amazing week with a fun graduation ceremony!
Thank you to all of our special guests and amazing campers this week!!
Legs Galore: SPREE Camp Crazy Cool Critters (session 2)