It Apple Picking Time! (Plus Nature Study)

We started a new Nature Study unit this month with the coming in of apple picking season. We are using Outdoor Secrets that we got from Simply Charlotte Mason as a curriculum for it. The booklays out simple lessons that only take a few minutes, but really engage the kids in listening to stories or making observations about a topic. The first topic in the book is... Apples! We looked at different varieties of apples, read a couple of books from the library (How Do Apples Grow and Johnny Appleseed), and cut an apple open to see the "blossom" left inside. 

A couple of years ago, we had Olivia study the cherry trees across the street from our house and draw them once per season. Another year, she did the big Dogwood in our back yard. This year, we're going to do an apple tree and the three older kiddos will all participate. We contacted Devil Dog Orchard, which is out on 150 in Rockingham County, and asked if we could come and sit in the orchard and draw the trees.

The kids observed the tree both from a distance and up close. Then they had to write or tell me what they saw.

 Olivia

 

 Gabe

 Ezra

 The folks at DDO went above and beyond, going so far as to pull out the hay wagon and take us on a ride around the property. The kids even got to feed the fish in their pond. :)

After the ride, we spent a little time picking a bucket-full of Gala apples that are just fantastic! 

Ain't They Cute? (and its amazing we caught them all looking at the camera at the same time)

Treasure Mountain Youth Camp - 7/2015

And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." - Matthew 22:37

That was the theme for the week-long Treasure Mountain Youth Camp at Higher Grounds Retreat Center. We were invited by a friend to come and help out with the camp this year. They had need for a camp nurse, which Rebecca had never done, so she stretched her comfort zone a little and tried out something new.  She was kept busy with bumps, bruises, and bee stings all week long!

We made it a family adventure, signing up Olivia, Gabe and Ezra to be campers while I volunteered to be a general helper, assisting the teenage counselors and other leaders with whatever they needed.

 The campers participated in skits,

 silly songs

 Bible studies and devotionals,

 a ropes course,

 a cookout by the campfire,

 (where everyone sang Happy Birthday to Rebecca!)

 and had lots of fun with their new friends. 

There were two highlights to the camp. The kids were divided into 3 teams for the week and they competed for points on things like memory verses, trivia questions and relay races. But by far, the most fun was the Water Games. The three teams competed in a series of relay races designed to get them (and everyone else) wet! 

 It could not have been a prettier day...

 The second highlight was going ziplining at Carolina Ziplines. Only Olivia and  I went from our family. 

 The hooked us all up with a bunch of gear.

 Olivia was a bit hesitant once she was standing on the first platform,

 but shouted "Woo hoo!" as she went across the ravine for the first time.

 After that, it was a piece of cake.

 There was one "racing" line with 2 lines side-by-side. Olivia didn't weigh quite enough so she had to partner with a counselor. They beat me...

We had a fantastic time and would love to go again!

 Back at camp, Gabe got to ring the bell to call everyone to dinner.

And Ezra was first in line... no surprise there. :)

If you think Emma and Irene were left out of the fun, you'd be very wrong!

 Those two were like the unofficial mascots. Everyone was always holding, carrying, hugging or playing with them.

 One leader's husband had a series of classic muscle cars and he brought a different one each day. He gave the kids rides in this beautiful station wagon. Let me assure you: this is NOTHING like the station wagon I remember growing up... :)

On the last evening, the full moon was beautiful, especially as it came up over the huge clouds. This one looked an awful lot like a lamb. Can you see it?

 The kids with their counselors.

The leaders and counselors.

We are so happy that we got to go to the camp and meet so many new people. The kids had such a great time and are begging to go next year! We can only hope that it works out that we can all so it again.