Editor’s note: This is the fourth of a weekly series of activities happening at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula. For more information, see positiveplaceforkids.net or call 683-8095. — MD
Brain Gain
During this week, the kids explored outer space and learned what equipment would be needed to travel to, and potentially live on, another planet.
Members used their wild imaginations to transport themselves to a new planet named “Planet-I.” Kids blasted off into space, creating their own spacesuits and time capsules.
In addition, they used clay to create a diorama to visually demonstrate their interpretation of “Planet-I.”
Adding to the fun activities, participants learned more about Neil Armstrong’s journey into space.
They watched the first moon landing video and afterward, the kids became very interested in finding a way to go to space.
They wanted to see Earth from a whole new perspective!
The members learned important debate skills while the group debated whether or not aliens are real. The outer space-themed activities nicely complemented morning camp’s focus on around the world.
Junior Rangers
The members were very anxiously waiting for the Sol Duc week and the weather delivered. After several days of rain we hoped for sunshine for the rangers trek out to the soaking pools.
The journey began with a half-mile hike to Sol Duc Falls. The members were impressed with how wide the falls were but noted the drop wasn’t very large. They arrived at the mineral spring pools and spent quite a bit of time in the fresh water pool. Several rangers demonstrated their swimming skills to lifeguards and enjoyed swimming in the deep end and diving off the side. They quickly commented on the “rotten egg” smell and were educated about the role of the volcanic material warming the water originally from rain and snow that traveled down the Olympic Mountains.
The rangers enjoyed the splash time with Dave and a day at the “pool.”
Morning Camp
Our early morning group found themselves exploring parts of Egypt and Africa.
The campers had a lot of fun exploring Egyptian cultures. They spun themselves into mummies and learned about the mummification process and the purpose of the practice by early Egyptians. Hieroglyphics were explored and the campers had a chance to create their own — and try to communicate with their peers.
As the week progressed, studies moved south to Africa where they sampled traditional snacks and the popular South African dessert Malva Pudding. While exploring South Africa, the boys and girls learned about revolutionary Nelson Mandela and his work for a peaceful, better life. Camp staff encouraged members to behave with good character, a pillar of Boys & Girls Club programs.
What a week
Sunrise Rotary was on the scene most of the week. On Monday, Rotarians constructed a large outdoor storage shed for the club’s garden and equipment needs. It went up in a day and the Rotarians were back putting paint and a roof on it. They didn’t leave without doing some parking lot housekeeping that was long overdue. At their regular morning meeting, they handed the shed keys over to Mary Budke.
Members were able to harvest some “fruit of their labor.” Broccoli was picked from the garden and sent home with the garden club members and strawberries were enjoyed right there on the spot. Watermelon wasn’t grown in the garden but proved to be entertainment for the entire club this week. Members used rubber band pressure to slowly squeeze a watermelon until the top popped off — not fun for our ever-patient janitor, but the kids squealed in anticipation of it “blowing up.” You can see firsthand by watching our video on Facebook.
Our KinderKids ventured off to an outdoor concert produced by the North Olympic Library System where they got their groove on to the Brian Vogan Band as part of the concert series.
As it does most weeks, the kids wrapped up their week with a field trip. The boys and girls visited a Sequim favorite, the Olympic Game Farm. The blue bus cruised through the driving tour and members were able to explore the petting zoo, aquarium, reptile room, material barn and nearby pens with donkeys, horses, turkeys and peacocks before returning to the club.
