Enchanted Chameleon

~ fresh & warm air learning ~

It was a lovely day out with my little Fresh Air Learning peeps yesterday.  First, because it was WARM!  And there was a little bit of sun!  Oh, Mother Earth, you had me at sunshine!  But there was more in store for us.  We had some great activities, stories and a new volunteer adding a little something new to our day.  

By new volunteer, I did not mean the Banana Slug.  Although he was a pretty great start to our session.

First up, the children molded "Blobsters" out of clay and then they wove stories and adventures for their little creatures in the forest.  There was lot's of colourful yarn woven about.  It was such a pleasure to hear the stories.  Some went to space, some under logs, most just all over the place.

And then it was.... PLAYTIME!

I sat on this log for a little break and then 30 seconds later.  Mission complete?

I can't look at this picture without feeling it.  

The new volunteer was very engaging and interactive.  Normally this group doesn't need a lot of direction in free play because they are quite the creative and adventurous bunch.  I think that the interaction was welcome though.  They thoroughly enjoyed digging Travis out of 'quicksand' so much though that they made a song about digging.  They then tried a game of Belly's Up and Belly's Down which I thought was a great activity and finally he toured us around to try out some edible parts of the forest.  The children were particularly interested in this activity.  My little C was ready to eat all the edible flowers in sight but we managed to detour him and save some blossoms for the bush.  

Another great day!  So nice to have warm weather and just enjoy the outside without the discomfort of rain or cool.  Can't believe that we will be wrapping up for the first year in just another month!  

And now there is a Summer Camp!  Interested?  Just click here for all the details!  XO.  S

~ mosquitoes and compasses ~

Two things that I didn't know:

1.  Mosquitoes are out and about in full force already in April.

2.  How to use a compass

Still not too sure of the second.  My group of Fresh Air Learners had to get help from the teacher still to find our treasure.  Until then we had been on a wild goose chase using a compass.  We found the abominable snowman before we found the treasure.  

Lots of fun.  

Can you believe that next years program is completely booked already with a waiting list?  I can. XO.  S

~ photo journal :: fresh air learning ~

I have no doubt that I most likely slack off in my parent volunteer duties when at Fresh Air Learning so that I can just take lots of pictures.  At least I admit it.  I'm also just as captivated as the children with watching Lisa and finding out what is next.  This background and these children are just the best subjects and I like being outside with them.  Looking forward to more signs of Spring!  XO.  S

~ fresh air learning 2012-2013 registration info night ~

It's becoming that time when we have to already start thinking about what we will be up to in the upcoming school year.  I'm pleased to have sat on the Board of Fresh Air Learning and to see it up and running and further to watch it unfold through the teacher, the parents and most importantly the children.  Apparently there is a lot of interest already for next years program starting in September.  If you are interested and have a child that is 4-6 and live in the North Vancouver or surrounding area than please RSVP to Andrea at info@freshairlearning.org and join the Board and the teacher Lisa to learn about a wonderful opportunity for your child to explore and learn in an entirely outdoor classroom.  Click here for a sample of my days spent as the parent volunteer with FAL.  XO.  S

~ fresh air farming ~

Another great day out with the children at Fresh Air Learning yesterday afternoon.  It's always great fun to be a part of their afternoon.  XO.  S

~ another breath of fresh air ~

Received a couple of emails earlier this week from Fresh Air Learning.  One was that they needed a parent volunteer at Lynn Valley for Tuesday afternoon.  I said, "Oh Yes!".  The second one was from the teacher Lisa and the subject line read "Mud".  I said "Oh Boy!".  

In spite of my initial knee jerk reaction to mud (or moreso the cleaning that takes place after the mud) it was cool to watch the children and what each individual did with the mud.  One dove straight in and was happy to become a part of it.  Another played for the longest time, completely focused in their task. Another managed to stay completely clean, without a hint of mud and still 'bake'.  One ventured in more than they had the last time there was mud play.  And mine had to have gloves on.  That was the only stipulation.  And before he got around to baking mud pie, he painted the rocks with mud.  It was very Jackson Pollack.  

Don't you just love that smile?  I sure do.

Story time.  One of the book's was called Tom's Tree.  It was a nice story and it lead to a lot of imaginative play in the woods after... on a Pirate Ship.  

It was a real treat to finally watch the children in their forest playground.  XO.  S

~ at Maplewood Farm with FAL ~

I finally had my first parent volunteer shift with Fresh Air Learning yesterday.  One of the other mama's is expecting a baby this winter and is sort of frequenting the parent volunteer shifts now so that she'll be care free come Spring when the baby has arrived.  Well, at least as care free as a new mama can be.  

I'm a little disappointed that most of my shifts are at Maplewood Farm.  I'm REALLY looking forward to the Lynn Valley side of Fresh Air Learning, since we frequent Maplewood so often on our own with the community garden plot.  Plus, I'm Indoorsy.  I'm looking for Outdoorsy guidance and am pretty convinced I will get it at Lynn Valley, hiking, building forts and playing in the mud.  I find it a little intimidating plus apparently C hikes for long times without ever being picked up.  I need to learn about that for sure! Yet in spite of my semantics issues, it was really fun.  Of course!  I enjoyed what Lisa the teacher had planned.  She read a book which had all the answers to a scavenger hunt that followed. I'm not sure that the children initially understood what a scavenger hunt was to begin with.  I know C has never participated in one but by the end the children were quite eager to find the little waterproof tubes that contained the next clue. There was even tears from C.  Dratted time change foils us again, just when I thought we had it foiled.  Oh well.  He quickly recovered when he found and opened the last clue, which also included some bulbs to plant in the garden.  

Despite the weather, the Farm is really beautiful at this time of year.  The leaves and colors are magical.

This little guy turned around and said to the little girl "Remember when you almost slipped off the bridge?"  And she answered 'yes'.  And I'm thinking "slipped off the bridge????" and then about 15 seconds later, you know who also almost slipped off the bridge.  I laughed.  I don't think slip proof shoes would have kept me from slipping!  Notice the traction in the middle of the bridge?  Ya, now I do too.    

Journalling at the end of class.  I've been wanting to do a journalling project where once a month we sit and draw a picture of a certain tree and watch how it changes through the year.  Still an older child project, but eek, can't wait.

It's fitting to be posting about FAL this week.  This past weekend, I said goodbye to my post as a Board Member of Fresh Air Learning.  The Annual General Meeting took place and I had already made the decision that there had been no room for the Board in my life for the past 6 months since Juice Caboose started up, so there was definitely no longer space.  Look at me all mature and setting boundaries. I did sniff a small sniff when I received the confirmation email that I was now unsubscribed to the Board emails. But honestly, I was a terrible Treasurer. LOL.  Not bad at Social Media but seriously Treasurer? That was a definite tale of needing so many people to complete the Board and Treasurer being the only position left.  Regardless, I was proud to have helped get it started.   I am also glad to see some new names on the Board.  The good news is spreading.  Even more now since there is a meeting tomorrow night for people interested in expanding the program to elementary school aged children.  What a great idea!   And finally of all the wonderful surprises, I'm especially pleased to see my friend Gwen who was also on the Board since the beginning as Secretary move into the position of Vice President. I forgot that there would eventually be a VP when we had enough people to fill the Board.  How wonderful.  Congrats Gwen.  That lady is going to do great things, I admire her so. 

So parent volunteer is more than enough for me and so it shall be.  Perhaps also, freelance volunteer photographer?  Just so glad to be a part of such a wonderful program in the little way that I can which is pretty much just sitting back and watching my child love it.  Feel free to check it out.  XO.  S 

~ fresh air learning ~

The first month of Fresh Air Learning is well under our belts now.  We've had a full cycle of 2 weeks at Lynn Valley Canyon and one week at Maplewood Farm.  I did my best to get in some pictures while hiding and staying discrete.  I have yet to have my turn as the parent volunteer and have thereby been enjoying my extra couple of hours a week running around getting more 'hafetas' done.

C took to it right away and the biggest impression on me is him doing all his own hiking and carrying his own backpack at the same time.  Imagine that!  He really can walk further than a few feet without having to be carried!  I guess it's just a mama thing and we will see how my involvement in volunteering once a month will effect him and his ability to participate independently.  Other than that he has been quite enthusiastic to participate and has made friends quickly.  I especially like that he is now connected to Lisa, the teacher, whom I had only known from board meetings.  Now he talks about her in a student/teacher way and I get to learn about the program and her in a new way.    

It is really great to watch this program unfold.  From the first board meeting over a year ago with just a few of us to now, an incredible teacher and 4 classes full (oh, one spot still open on Thursday afternoons - interested?).  I can only imagine what another year will bring in the growth of this program.  Experience, a second program on the other side of the bridge, etc.  I do have to say that it has been an honour to have been a part of this process and to now watch C participate is an incredible reward.  

I will do my best to keep you abreast of the Fresh Air Learning Program as I take my turn volunteering and it also unfolds to C and I.  If you are interested in the program there will be information sessions for the 2012-2013 year in January/February 2012.  You can find all the info that you are looking for on the site.  You can also Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.  

Again, there is one Thursday afternoon spot available from 1-3:15.  I encourage you to check out the site and see if it is just what your little one is craving.  Check back soon, and our teacher Lisa will soon be starting the Fresh Air Learning Blog.  XO.  S