Archaeologists for a Day

Campers had an AWESOME day yesterday! The Explorers went on a field trip to Skinner State Park, where they got a close look at some of the amazing geological features of the Connecticut River Valley, plus a nice view of the river from above. They had a picnic when they got to the top! 

The Young Naturalists became archaeologists for a day. They went to the archaeological dig site at the farm next door, where quadrants were already roped off. They got into groups and started digging... and found bones! Campers found jaws, skulls, leg bones, ribs, and back bones... what could they be? (Answer below) It was a great adventure! 

The bones came from sheep that lived on the farm years ago. When the sheep died, they were put on a compost pile, and after their bodies decomposed their bones were left behind. The counselors borrowed the bones from Farmer Hans and buried them for the campers to find.

Later, Ted visited the classroom for a look at some metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary rocks that are found locally. We played “Guess My Rule” in which Ted made two piles of rocks, and the campers had to guess what the two groups were. Then the campers got a turn! Some of the ideas they had were: shiny/not shiny, bumpy/smooth, gas bubbles/no gas bubbles.