Jewelweed Pollinators and River Village Creation

Yesterday the Explorers had an opportunity to meet Carolyn, a PhD candidate from the University of Virginia who is doing research here at the Hitchcock Center. She told campers how she is comparing the pollinators of two different plants: native jewelweed, which campers are very familiar with as it grows all over the Hitchcock trails, and a non-native species of jewelweed from India that Carolyn brought in pots. Campers compared the two plants side by side, noting the differences in leaves and flowers. Then Carolyn invited us to observe pollinators, and see if they preferred one plant over the other. Not many pollinators showed up in the time campers were watching, but they learned that sometimes happens in scientists' research!




Meanwhile, it was the Young Naturalists' turn to visit Skinner State Park, the site of Mount Holyoke. First Ted visited in the morning, telling the campers about basalt and other special kinds of rocks found at the mountain. When it was time for the hike, the counselors were very proud: ALL campers made it to the top! Keegan's group had a lot of fun climbing around the rock structures at the top. When they were not hiking, they were building a "river village" in the wood chips outside. First they built their houses and towns, and then turned on the hose to make the river come through. The Explorers joined the younger campers for the afternoon on this project and had an awesome time! It's always a favorite activity here at the Hitchcock Center!