Nature Writing and Ecological Exploration
Ages 10+
Annie Kelvie and Katy Everett
First, we will make our own nature journals using a simple bookmaking technique. Then we will be off hiking into the various habitats of camp (wetland, woods, creek, pond, and/or prairie) to explore and observe. Dr. Katy Everett will teach you about the ecosystems and organisms we interact with along the way and Dr. Annie Kelvie will guide you in using nature as inspiration for our own creative writing process. We'll try out a variety of different prompts for poetry, stories, and creative non-fiction, all based on what we are seeing in the woods, water, and other landscapes. Students will also have the opportunity to share their work at the end of the week!
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Rocket Science - CLASS FULL
CLASS FULL
Ages 10+
Dr. Thomas Zolper
Rocketeers will build rockets made of common household materials. They will learn basic equations of rocket thrust, stability and trajectory. Then they will launch their rockets and evaluate the performance.
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Sculpting Animals - CLASS FULL
CLASS FULL
Ages 8+
Connie Andrews
The first 2 days Connie will guide the class in sculpting animals from dogs or cats, to birds and elephants. Then you’ll get to choose any animal in the world to create. She will help you come up with a pose and a way to create it so you’ll have a 3 dimensional piece of art to take home. There will be paper and paints available as well for those that would like to also create on paper. And of course, we will take time to explore the Sun Foundaiton grounds.
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Small Wonders, Big Adventures - CLASS FULL
CLASS FULL
Pee Wee • Ages 5–7
Jessica Laughlin
The youngest among us often notice the WONDER-full details of the natural world. This major is for those who love to make amazing discoveries right before their eyes! Join us as we explore the forest, marsh, grassland and creek. We’ll draw big inspiration from small wonders, like a caterpillar’s stripes or water flowing over pebbles – to sketch, paint and sculpt artistic treasures. There’ll be lots of games too. Come play and create with us!
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Treasure Hunt for the Past - CLASS FULL
CLASS FULL
Ages 10+
Steve Hambling
Hike the creek bed with Steve searching for clues to the past as you learn about geology and collect fossils and different kinds of rocks. After you study and display your collection, it's yours to keep.
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Wild Wooly Wilderness - CLASS FULL
CLASS FULL
Ages 7-12
Laurel Huston
Fish, Birds, Bugs, Beads and Creek Exploration! Every day is an adventure. Spend Monday watching, drawing, and observing bird banding. Tuesday is all about bugs and beads. We’ll learn about the microecosystems around us as well as work on beaded designs of our observations. Wednesday is a day of fishing with guest instructor Brian “Fox” Ellis as Louis Agassiz. Thursday we will track animals and explore the habitat of Crow Creek. Friday we will put it all together publishing our findings in an instant book that celebrates the wildlife of the Sun Foundation as well as end the week with Native American Fun & Games!
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Ancestral Survival Arts Program - Way of the Woods Protectors
All Day major - Ages 13-18
Shannon Thomas, Pam MacDonald
This class is for students who have participated in the basic Ancestral Survival Arts Program and want to fine tune old skills and develop advanced skills based on their interests. Each day will comprise part of the day working on hard skills based on group interest, with options such as tracking (cluster tracking, drawing tracks), fire build(bowdrill, etc), shelter creation, cordage and advanced textile arts (quadbraid, finger weaving), traps, edible and medicinal plants, and advanced camouflage. The second part of the day will be immersive practice in applying multiple skills simultaneously, such as awareness practices and games, stalking through the woods while in camouflage and practicing ancestral weaponry OR tracking and trailing in temas while blindfolded. The fun and flow of this class will be dictated by student interest and initiative!
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