Word From Wildwood

February Melt

Hello Again Everyone!

I Hope that everything has been wonderful with all of you.Here at Wildwood, we've had a few days of sun and above freezing temperatures, leading to a nice amount of meltaway on the ground. Unfortunately, tomorrow begins a week-long stint of snow and ice. The deer still prance around on the field, and our trail camera has managed to snap a few shots which I will put up at some point once I have some more impressive shots. I've started to hear barred owls again which have been absent from our forest for a while. If anyone happened to make it to Eagle Fest at Joppa Flatts, we had a great time and I was able to see some really awesome birds, along with the coveted bald eagle.

A few days ago, I noticed something that I havent seen for a good while now: Insects. That's right, they seem to be on their way back now, which tells me that our winter wather might be over before anyone knows it. This small revelation led me to an interesting natural history topic: The Signs of the Season!

For thousands of years, native cultures have relied on traditional knowledge of living organisms to tell them when a significant event was taking place. Nowadays with our advanced scientific mechanisms, we have almost abandoned this knowledge. Now, some of these things are certainly much better left forgotten, being such things as reading the entrails of bird (called Augery) and even some strange superstitions about storms coming along when cows lay down in the field :)

For instance, some animals have such a specialized instict that subtle changes in their movements and behavior can indicate something as simple as weather patterns. In the south, some species of birds are known to ride on the front of a storm, heralding in inclement weather. Likely, this is where we get the Native story of the thunderbird. Domestic animals still have an involuntary instict to grow and shed a winter coat, and the hardier of these, such as working dogs, shed with a close accuracy to changing of the season.

Everyone knows the wildflowers of New England are lovely to behold, but quite obviously they don't all spring up at once. Look for plants like coltsfoot to let you know that spring is coming along. The aster and goldenrods always let you know that summer is dying fast, and once the blackberry brambles turn that delicate shade of greyish purple you know that the first good frost will not be long.

At night,  look for spiders around your porch or other outside structure or listen for the distant noises of restless animals moving about in the forest and know that life is about to spring back into being.

As always, stay safe everyone and enjoy nature!

-Johnathon

Wildwood Wonderland

Howdy Folks!

I hope that everyone had a great holiday, I know that I did. Texas is really beautiful this time of year, and believe me when I say that the birds there are thick on the ground. Wildwood is positively covered with snow everywhere you look, and the new ground blanket makes a perfect place to go looking for animal tracks. On the activity field we've had rabbits, deer, and what I expect was a dog passing through. :) We've put up a wildlife camera, so in a few weeks I might be posting some cool animal shots!

As we come into the mid season, I am reminded of a certain natural history topic that doesn't necessarily make the top of peoples lists when they think of winter. When we see a frozen pond or lake, we don't really see much else. Instantly, it becomes a place for ice fishing and a potential spot for ice skating. But let's consider this: Somewhere, down below, life is still going on, laying deep and dormant and going through vital before emerging in the spring as the ice melts away. 

A host of plants and aquatic insects count on the cold weather to condition them and let them know when it is time to emerge. A delicate dance takes place at the beginning of winter, as well as the spring, as the levels of water churn and switch places with each other, allowing egg casings, detritus and photosynthetic algae to rise to the surface and begin the process of heralding in the spring. Some insects, such as the dragonflies and damselflies, start out their lives in the water, and many species will spend many years as nymphs, one of the top predators of a pond ecosystem. Like most other organisms, they must feed on other organisms to survive, thus demonstrating the need and the veritable supply of things to feed on during the winter.  Under that thick layer of ice, newts swim about, as they will for several years. Their younger brothers, the red eft, burrow down under stones and logs and wait out for warmer temperatures.

As you can see, Life doesn't go away during the winter, it merely changes to suit its needs. The next time you are out, take some time to explore what might be lurking in the pond near your house or school, it might surprise you!

As always, Have a wonderful day and Happy Nature Hunting!

-Johnathon

Happy Holidays from Wildwood!

A very Happy Holidays to everyone from the Monadnock Conservation Center - Home of Wildwood!

Although absent of all the wonderful campers that make this place so special, the Wildwood property is quite beautiful in it's snow-covered peacefulness. We hand it over to the deer, bear and moose, in hopes that they will find it as pleasant and welcoming as we do.

As we close out 2009 and move into 2010, we wish to thank everyone for their support to this wonderful camp program. Stay tuned as there will be more exciting things happening soon.

Enjoy the holidays!

Bob and the gang

Golden oaks and mushrooms

Howdy again everyone. I hope all is well!

As for Wildwood, it is in a constant state of change. Where as previously the forest was aflame with bright maple leaves, it is now in a mood of subdued splendor. One can imagine that when the light hits the oak leaves just right, it is like walking through the halls of a mighty palace, decorated with extravagant stained glass. Beyond imagery though, things have been pretty exciting. Imagine my surprise as I was walking the other day to see a black bear not but thirty feet away. I will admit, i was a bit nervous at the sight, but it was well worth it. 

The Cedar Waxwings are still at it, taking their usual places high in the treetops. It can be a pain to get them in sight of the binoculars, usually leaving you with an aching neck, but satisfied all the same.

A few days ago, Bob pointed out two new birds to add to my lists, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet and the Golden-crowned Kinglet. Both were chirping cheerfully as we watched them and I'm quite sure I'll be keeping a good lookout.

The deer are still visiting the activity field, and in increasing numbers too! Just yesterday we had a group of six!

The plants have all started to die back, replaced here and there by a few hardy winter grasses, and the late season ferns and fern allies. 

   

I'm writing this post because it occurs to me that something is a bit lacking in most peoples education of the natural world. Not that this is a bad thing, because what could be more mysterious, delicious, and possibly deadly, than the Mushroom?

It is interesting to know that what most of us view as a mushroom is only the tip of the iceberg. To be thorough, each little mushroom is a mature fruiting body that is made up of strands called mycelium. The mycelium are themselves made up of microscopic strands called hyphae. So, to conclude that little run in anatomy, most, and that is to say a little over 90%, of the actual fungus is found underground and is so tiny that it is almost impossible to see with the naked eye. In fact, one of the world largest and oldest organisms is a honey mushroom that grows in Oregon, taking up more than three miles and expected to be somewhere between 4200 and 7200 years old!

Most people eat some sort of fungus everyday, some without even knowing it. Indeed, the Mushroom has been a stable, and in some areas a staple, part of our diet since the time of our foraging ancestors. In our part of the world, people tend to forget that there are just as many edible mushrooms as there are harmful. Yes, most people get a bit nauseous when it comes to the subject of wild mushrooms and with good reason. Speaking from personal experience, they are mind numbingly difficult to identify and even the best of accomplished mycologists can succumb to poisoning due to misidentification.

However, this post isn't really about eating mushrooms as it is about appreciating them. Ancient cults revered and worshiped a particular type of mushroom (Fly Agaric - Amanita muscaria) which they called "Soma", the giver of dreams and prophecy. In other areas of the world, particularly during the middle ages, many myths surrounded the mushroom, including the notion of entrances to Faerie realms, or that certain mushrooms only grew from under the gallows of a condemned man or woman.

In New England however, we have had our own ideas about Mushrooms. The Native Americans found particular interest in several varieties of mushroom, many for there dyeing, medicinal, and  nourishing qualities. Some species, such as the prized morel, are a food source for many foraging animals, like chipmunks, not to mention that they are particularly tasty and fetch a good sum at market. And then again, it is easy for us westerners to get caught up in the stigma against mushrooms, especially considering this beauty:

This is the Destroying Angel, a mushroom in the Amanita family that happens to be one of the most violently toxic mushrooms in North America. Identifying this beauty is difficult, but to the mushroom I can imagine this look-alike quality is advantageous. Thankfully, there aren't many people I know of who trudge out into the forest to hunt edible mushrooms without at least some basic knowledge of identification.

However you look at it, the mushroom is here to stay.In it's role as a decomposer, there is no other quite like it. It breaks down decaying matter, making more life possible. Many species act in direct relationships with the plants they grow near, making it possible for them to survive. In fact, if fungal life as we know it died out, the plant kingdom would surely follow. Have you ever wondered why that orchid you bought died or refused to bloom? Chances are that there were no symbiotic fungi in the soil. 

Well, until next time!

-Johnathon

A chill wind is coming our way

Well, it's been almost two months since camp has ended but Wildwood is still going strong. I've been walking the forest frequently, trying to get a little peek into a world that very few get to see. It seems that as soon as everyone leaves the entire forest says "hey guys, they're gone!" and bursts out in full glory. It's not uncommon now to see birds flitting about in the lower branches, foxes meandering across the roads, or even a group of deer that have taken to prancing across the field.

                             

The other day I was fortunate enough to see a woodchuck sprinting, or should I say wobbling, across the parking lot, an animal I was not aware called this forest its home. The forest floor is on fire with fallen maple leaves and the bright berries of the Canada mayflower. The goldenrods have started to die back, being replaced by the clumps of bright white Sweet everlasting, a favorite for the painted lady butterfly. For the past few weeks, my search for the elusive dragonflies has been fairly average, but I was fortunate enough to get in a few new species. For any of our campers that enjoyed a day of dragonhunting, you'll be happy to know that I have four new species of Darners!

                        
               

I'll be updating the blog every few weeks or so, just to let everyone know some of the exciting things that are going on whilst everyone is away. Here and there, I will feature a picture and share with you a little natural history on the subject. It's never too late to learn something new!

And for my first post, I present to you this beauty:

Yes, this is indeed a post about the blueberry. I can't imagine a single New Englander who is not at least vaguely familiar with this plant. For most, blueberries take them back to the late summer, to the nostalgic taste of deep purple sweetness, to the hours of hunting under the shade of towering trees to find the juiciest berries. Despite this, however, how many of us really know the story of the blueberry? Well, if you don't already know, I invite you to keep reading.

The blueberry is first and foremost NOT a berry, which has mostly to do with the fact that the fruit is produced underneath the flower. The "crown" that people see at the top are the remnants of the flower, which we call the sepals. They are a circumpolar plant, meaning that varieties can be found throughout the globe in varying climates. The trademark color of the "berries" come from cyanins, chemicals like anthocyanin, which has been found in several studies to be a powerful antioxidant and also a potential deterrant of cancer. Now on to the fun stuff

The native tribes of the Northeast have used blueberries for years, and many stories exist about them. One such story regards the star shape of the crown, the "star-shaped berries sent by the great spirit to stave off his people's hunger". Many parts of the plant have historically been used as medicine, such as the leaves, which were used to treat problems with the blood. The juice is said to relieve a cough and was also used as a dye for cloth and baskets. At times, the berries would be dried and crushed into a powder which was rubbed onto meat to give it flavor. The Wampanoag indians taught the settlers of Plymouth how to dry bluberries under the sun, allowing them to be preserved for winter stores. Later on, the juice would be used to create a beverage for soldiers in the civil war.

The largest pollinator of the blueberry is the golden northern bumblebee, a bright and fuzzy species with large tufts of golden-orange pollen often stuck to its legs. Fortunately, this species has not been threatened in recent years, ensuring that we'll still have blueberries next year, which is good, considering that North America produces around 90% of the worlds supply!

Well, that's about it for now, but I will be updating soon. Enjoy nature!

-Johnathon Larson

Wildwood Education

Session 5, LIT2, and Jr. Counselors Winding Down

Good Afternoon,

Well, here we are on the last full day of Wildwood overnight camp for 2009. We certainly got the heat during this session, but it has given us a great excuse to visit the pond for swimming quite a few times. In between, we've been doing lots of nature quests, music, drama, arts and crafts, ropes, archery, overnight camping and more. I know these campers will have a lot of stories to share!

Our special "Spy Day" on Wednesday went over very well. Campers were split up into groups and spent the day doing some really neat spy-type activities. It was a lot of fun, and we ended the day with a Wildwood first - a movie projected onto the side of the shower house - crazy!

The LIT2 group returned from their trip on the Batten Kill River yesterday with some good stories of their own. They saw quite a bit of wildlife, especially birds, and except for a first stormy night, it was otherwise hot and clear. They especially liked the white water parts of the journey.

These LITs have been involved in quite a few projects during their 3 weeks with us. One of which was the creation of educational signs of various plant and animal species found at Wildwood. They are beautiful, and you'll be able to see some tomorrow if you're picking up your camper. They also created some nice tree identification signs to help everyone learn our local trees.

 

The Jr. Counselors are also completing their four-week stay with us, and boy have they been a huge help. From working in the kitchen, to helping out with evening programs, IGs and DGs, they have really been tested in all aspects of camp. This was the first year for this program, and we are thrilled to have these 17 year-olds be a part of our team!

Today, we completed our IGs this morning, and then after a cookout lunch we also had our final DGs and OATs together. One of these IGs was a Service IG, where campers worked on a number of improvements to the camp. One was to redesign our basketball hoop and backboard. It came out awesome! Another cool thing running this afternoon was a DG on Nature Painting. There were many wonderful drawings being done in this one. Tonight is our highly anticipated Closing Campfire, where all sorts of talents that folks never realized they had come out. It's always a lot of fun, but I have a feeling that this one is going to be something else! Let's hope the weather holds. Right now, just before 6:00, we have heavy clouds in a dark sky, but it has cooled off a bit - we'll see.

 

 

Tomorrow morning there will be lots of hugs and signing of shirts and other stuff before groups head to the amphitheater to put on a short skit and connect up with their families. This ceremony begins at 10:00, so be sure to get here by then.

Have a wonderful evening and Thank You very much for sharing your wonderful campers with us!

Bob

Click on any of the following pictures to view them full size.

It's the Carson Girls!   ;-)

 

 

Session 5 Week Two - Having Camp Fun!

Good Evening Camper Families and Friends,

It's hard to believe that we are coasting through the final week of overnight camp for the 2009 summer season here at Wildwood! This camp session has really represented the right way to bring it all home - great summer weather - great campers - great times!

The overnight camping trips that took place over the weekend all went very well. The two oldest groups reported a really fun time at Mt Monadnock, with hiking to the top of the mountain the highlight for most. But also just chillin' with friends and counselors, cooking their own food and tenting was really great as well.

The other four units also had a blast camping at first and second point and being introduced to a couple of new water toys on the pond too. Both "The Saturn" and "The Water Mat" are a big hit, although the water mat gets higher praise - note the picture of both below. I asked a few boys from Thoreau about them at lunch today and one boy told me, "The water mat is the best, and it doesn't make sense, 'cause it's just a giant piece of foam, but you can't help it - it's just really fun!" OK, I'll take that as a good thing!

While all the overnight campers had fun at the waterfront with Crazy Oats this afternoon - complete with "Canoe Slip-n-Slide", and now are just finishing up Unit Night tonight and getting ready for a special event day tomorrow, some of our other groups are off site tonight for a couple neat things;

The Second Year LITs are on a three-day canoe trip down the Batten Kill River in Vermont. I just got off the phone with them, and after their first day of paddling, they are setting up camp, playing some games and going for a swim before having a camp-cooked pasta dinner. The Batten Kill is a beautiful waterway with a few small rapids, which makes it exciting. They will be back on camp on Thursday.

Meanwhile our Jr. Counselors are at Mt. Monadnock this evening for a night hike of the mountain. Kevin headed up with the group to experience this hike too. What a beautiful night they have for this!

Look forward to some more mail coming to you soon, as tonight all campers delivered a letter at dinner. I'll be back again in just a couple days to report on our special event day, updates on the other groups and more.

We certainly hope you are enjoying you time, while we are enjoying your campers! Here's a few pictures from today's adventures. (click on any picture to make it bigger) You'll see one is of Lizzie, the Assistant Waterfront Director and Dillard Counselor. This picture is for her mom. Hi Lizzie's mom!

Bob

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Misty Morning and Beautiful Afternoon

Good Evening,

We did see some light mist through a good part of the morning today, but nowhere near enough to effect our camp day - no way! This afternoon turned out to be mostly cloudy, but warmer and dry. Overall a pretty great day! The sailboats had a wonderful morning, the Freshwater Ecology group was also out on the pond studying depths and temperatures. The ropes course was busy, and Mighty Flighty had their day with the rockets.

Tonight is "Capture the Flag!", an all-camp, all-out fun time, for sure. I love hearing all the strategies that campers develop to fool the other team, or sneak past them. We're noticing it's getting darker a lot earlier now, which means less evening program and more campfires at the units.

Tomorrow (Friday), we'll complete our first IGs in the morning, and then after lunch our oldest units; Dillard and Abbey will pack up and head to Mt. Monadnock for two nights, returning on Sunday. It looks like they will have great weather and an excellent opportunity to climb the mountain - the second most climbed mountain on the planet.

Our 9-10 and 11-12 year-old girls units will also be packing up for a one-night camping trip along Hubbard Pond. They too will bring their own food to cook and eat, and have time for extra neat activities that only take place during these overnights. They will also have two new surprise water toys to enjoy - shhhhhh, don't tell!

Meanwhile the 9-10 and 11-12 year-old boys will have the camp to themselves for the afternoon and evening as it's "boys night in", where they can spend time pretty much anywhere on camp. Usually, this means a lot of time at the waterfront during the day and sometimes even a fun movie in the dining hall at night.

On Saturday these four groups switch as the guys head out to the tenting sites and the girls have "girls night in." Everyone is back in time for lunch on Sunday. These camp-outs are a lot of fun and help to teach kids a few things about being responsible and working as a team to accomplish their goals.

So, we'll be back again after the camp-outs to report on how everything went.Enjoy your weekend too!

Here's some pictures that Caroline was kind enough to capture for me this afternoon.

Best,

Bob

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Hot Days Mean Camp Fun!

Good Evening,

Yes, we ARE getting the same hot, sticky weather that I'm sure you've been experiencing too! But we have that thing called Hubbard Pond, so we don't really mind too much. We did not see any rain today, even though I know some other areas got some heavy stuff this morning.

This session is off to a terrific start with first week activities at full tilt. Between our ropes course, sailing, archery, freshwater ecology, music and others, our Interest Group activities are really cool. This afternoon, there was more ropes, a swim to First Point, rockets, tie dye, dragonfly hunting, and more for our Discovery Group activities.

It was "bring you letter home to dinner" night tonight, so you may be getting some mail soon. Keep yours coming too!

Tonight is Unit Night, with each unit doing something different with their group - or perhaps a couple groups together. I had a chance to visit the waterfront, which was still a busy place almost up until dark.

I couldn't resist taking a couple pictures of the beautiful clouds that passed by just at sunset tonight. There were certainly some ominous ones to the south, but they never got close to us at all.

Tomorrow morning is our first PBJ, a polar bear swim, and with even the evening temperatures staying pretty warm, I'll bet there will be a good number of polar bears out there first thing in the morning.

I'll be back with more updates in a couple days. Here's some images from the day - enjoy!

Bob

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get Ready for Family Camp 3!

If you're registered for Family Camp 3: August 23-26, you should have received a reminder postcard directing you here! (Thanks for checking out the blog, and supporting our efforts to send you less paper!)

We're excited that we'll be seeing you at Family Camp very soon, and we hope that you're looking forward to your time with us. If you've not returned all your completed camp forms, please bring the completed forms with you to camp. If you need a new copy of camp forms or the camp handbook, visit our website to download them, under "Information for Registered Campers". The handbook also contains a suggested packing list (p. 11) to assist you as you prepare for camp.

If you need driving directions to Wildwood, look in your camp handbook (p. 18), or get printable directions from our website. (Using a GPS or online directions is inadvisable.)

A few reminders and suggestions:
Wildwood is a large camp, and you'll be happiest if you and your family wear sturdy, comfortable shoes. We ask our staff and campers to wear shoes or sandals with a heel strap (not flip flops) except at the waterfront or in the shower.

Wildwood is a Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary. For the health and safety of campers, staff, and wildlife, family pets may not be brought to Wildwood.
Wildwood is a drug- and alcohol-free environment. Please do not bring alcohol or illegal drugs with you to camp or use them while attending camp. Adult program participants may use tobacco products only in designated areas away from children.

Due to the size of our safety equipment, campers under the age of 6 may not participate in high ropes activities.

Camp is a great time to "unplug". If you can, please leave electric and electronic devices at home. (Platform tents do not have electricity.) Adults who need to have cell phones should plan to turn them off or to silent/vibrate mode while participating in activities. Cell phone reception at camp is unreliable.

A sample schedule for family camp follows. (You'll receive a detailed schedule when you arrive.) Activities and times are subject to change based on weather and other factors. All activities are optional, but please let us know if your family plans to leave camp or miss a meal.

Arrival Day
2:00 pm  Check-in begins - please plan to arrive before 3:00 p.m., or let us know if you'll need to arrive later.
A staff member will meet you at the parking lot entrance with nametags and unit assignments.
Next, take your luggage to the appropriate marked area in the parking lot and we'll transport your luggage to your unit.
Walk to your unit and spend some time settling in to your living space. Introduce yourself to the other families near you.
Throughout the afternoon, join us at the waterfront to meet other families and enjoy activities! We'll have swimming (weather permitting) and several ongoing activities available.
6:00 pm Dinner
7:30 pm All-Camp Orientation in the Amphitheater, sign-ups for scheduled activities, and Opening Campfire
9:00 pm Return to units to prepare for bed - Sweet dreams!

Each activity period will include several options: Swimming, boating, walks & hikes, nature activities, crafts, and field games. (High ropes course and sailing will be scheduled so that everyone who wants to can try these activities.) Family activities, for adults and children together, kids-only activities for campers ages 5 and older, and adults-only activities will be offered during each activity period. We may offer an adults-only digital photography workshop, so bring a digital camera if you'd like!

Second Day and Third Day
7:00 am PBJ (Pre-Breakfast Jaunt)
8:00 am Breakfast
9:30 am Morning A Activities
10:00 am Morning B Activities
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Siesta (quiet time in the units)
2:00 pm Afternoon A Activities
3:30 pm Afternoon B Activities
5:00 pm Family Time/Free Swim
6:00 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Evening Activities (may include: campfires, skits and songs, all-camp games, natural history activities, waterfront activities, or even a movie on a rainy evening)
9:00 pm Return to units to prepare for bed

Departure Day
7:00 am PBJ
8:00 am Breakfast
9:30 am Closing activities
10:00 am Return to units for packing
Wildwood staff will pick up your luggage and take it to the parking lot.
Please sweep your cabin or tent and place any trash into the large trashcan in your unit before you leave!
11:30 am All families depart

We look forward to seeing you and your family at Family Camp soon. Please feel free to call us at our toll-free number, 866-627-2267, or e-mail wildwood@massaudubon.org if you have any questions!

Happy Camping,