Junior Naturalist

Isaac began a journey back in January of this year at Lost River Cave.  Lost River offers a program to young people called Junior Naturalist. It's a hand-on learning experience where kids get to discover, investigate and do lots of fun things indoors and out.  Isaac isn't interested in a whole lot of "after" school activities, and I thought this would be perfect for him and right up his alley.  The classes are every other month for about three hours--the perfect commitment level for his active lil' mind.

The first meeting took place back in January where the kids learned about the water cycle, habitats and animal relationships within those habitats.  The kids also received a nature journal to write in.  I think Isaac enjoyed that drawing book about as much as anything.  The idea was for the kids to take notes throughout the month and log them into the journal.  For Isaac, it meant something else.  He loves little note pads, drawing and doodling.

Playing a game and learning at the same time.

The second session took place in March where the kids learned bird migration, the different species we see in Kentucky.  The also learned lots of characteristics like feeding habits, beaks and their claws.

Isaac ready to do some bird watching.

The kids got to go to different stations and attempt to feed as the birds would do.

I think their favorite part was dissecting owl pellets.  I have to admit I kind of liked it too.  It was like finding little treasures in a hunt.  We found all kinds of bones, teeth and tiny skulls throughout the pellet.

Matt took Isaac to the session in May where the kids learned about trees and wildflowers.  I don't have any pictures but may raid Matt's phone later and see if he texted any to me.  I do remember Matt saying that he enjoyed the session a lot more than Isaac.

In July, the kids got to learn about insects, reptiles and amphibians and even went on a nature walk to try to find their own specimens.

The instructor Ms. Annie brought out snakes and turtles for the kids to observe.

Matt took him to the September session on seasons, weather conditions and our environment (no pictures that I know of from this session). Again, I'll have to wrangle his phone from him and look =).

His very last session was yesterday where the kids got to get down and dirty on a cave tour.

I just knew Isaac would enjoy this session much more than all the others.  What kid doesn't want to get super dirty and crawl around in caves?!?  We were told that parents were not allowed to go in the cave and that the kids would get very dirty and to bring a change of clothes.  The above pictures are the "before" pictures.

And this is the "after" picture.  I think he had fun, don't you?  He was gone for about 2 hours in the cave exploring and learning about the rocks, geology and the life that exists in the cave (like centipedes and millipedes).  He had a blast!  However, the clean-up wasn't to fun considering the bathrooms didn't have running water.  Thankfully, I purchased his jeans for $1.50 at Goodwill and just pitched them.  The rain jacket and shoes sprayed off easily as well.  After putting on some clean clothes, we ended the Junior Naturalist adventure with a trip to Chick Fil A (and a mini-bath in the bathroom sink at CFA).  I'm not sure we'll do the same program next year, but we sure did enjoy our time at Lost River this year.