For SPREE’s Junior Park Ranger summer camp theme, campers got to meet Denver Park Rangers and also did a service project.
Campers started off the week by learning to identify native plants along the Cherry Creek and South Platte River. We even made our own “seed bombs” and plant paper. Campers also created field guides focused on our urban wildlife. We learned about the special talents of “nuisance” animals, such as the raccoon’s amazing sense of touch.
We also explored our parks and made our own maps and signs. We brainstormed park ranger duties, and then had some laughs acting these out with a game of charades. Campers were treated to a guest presentation from Denver Park Rangers, who brought in a selection of local plants, pelts, and skulls and also discussed their daily duties helping the public along the trails and in the parks.
SPREE campers were even able to give back to our parks with a day of service. This included cleaning up trash along the Cherry Creek, pulling weeds along the Cherry Creek by Joe Shoemaker School, and protecting trees from beavers at Overland Pond Park.
Want to learn more about Denver’s Parks? Visit their website here. You can even make your own park ranger vest like we did by using the instructions here.
SPREE also has a Junior River Ranger program for middle school students. Click here to find out more about being a SPREE Junior River Ranger at our upcoming Fall Holiday Camps and 2018 Summer Camps.
