Saturday, November 22, 2014

Nature Club ~ Rocky Glen Geology Survey and Forest Park Scavenger Hunt

Prairie Home Nature Club

CrazyMama here! Last year I completed a Master Naturalist certification through the University of Illinois Extension, and have been having a blast meeting new people and volunteering at interesting places.
Since I already homeschool, I decided to start a nature club for my kids and their friends. We use an unschooling and mentoring approach to learn about biology, geology, environmental science, and more, while going on field trips to area natural sites. Here are a few highlights from two of our trips.

The sun hitting the tops of the bluff while hiking at Rocky Glen Park in West Peoria

Hiking up the creek bed toward the outcropping at Rocky Glen. A fire had just passed through this ravine a few weeks before our arrival and we could see the scortching everywhere

Dr Ed Stermer, geologist at Illinois Central College, hosted our group and gave a fantastic presentation. Here we are up on the huge sandstone rock at Rocky Glen.

Yes, poop was on the scavenger hunt list at Forest Park Nature Center. And amazingly, it was the first thing to be found!

Big Sister teaching the younger kids about glacial erratics at Forest Park Nature Center

Evidence of deer! 

Beautiful white pines at Forest Park Nature Center

The kids discover spider webs on the A-frame building at Forest Park Nature Center



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