Wow is it hot! The Young Naturalists have been alternating outdoor exploration and indoor (air-conditioned!) activities to beat the heat. Tuesday campers watched Maizie, our resident corn snake, eat her weekly meal: a mouse. We watched with rapt attention as she snatched her food head-first and swallowed it whole! No chewing necessary. It all happened in a matter of one minute!
Wednesday the Young Naturalists explored the parts of a flower. They braved the heat of the Smith College Greenhouse to get a look at plants from habitats found all over the world: desert, rainforest, temperate woodlands. Then they chose flowers growing at the Hitchcock Center and dissected them, making bookmarks with the pieces.
On Thursday, campers ventured to Bramble Hill Farm next door in the searing heat for a treat that was well worth it: Hans the farmer spoke to us about compost, and then took us on his tractor for a tour around the farm! First we saw Hans' smaller three-part compost system at McGregor's Garden, all in different stages of decomposition, and then we rode way back past Old Friends Farm to see the HUGE compost piles there! Campers had a wonderful time riding the tractor and seeing parts of the Larch Hill conservation area that they normally wouldn't see.
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