FALL COLORS HOLIDAY CAMP

SPREE CAMPERS LEARN ABOUT FALL

​SPREE campers recently enjoyed a break from school and some beautiful weather while learning about autumn. This one-day holiday camp took place on November 2nd, just in time to see changing colors at the newly remodeled Johnson-Habitat Park. We took a fall hike, made fall-inspired crafts, and did a leaf experiment.  In the afternoon, we explored the river and caught crawdads.

​Campers started the day with a brief introduction to why leaves change color in the fall. They then gathered leaves, crushed them and watched as the pigments were gradually revealed on a coffee filter. (To try this at home, see instructions at www.howweelearn.com/science-experiments-for-kids/.) Volunteers dressed up in colorful shirts while the group learned about chlorophyll and the different pigments in leaves. 
SPREE educators Ramsey and Helen shared their knowledge of the plants and animals in the park on a hike. Campers made observations about the seasonal changes around them and learned what plants and animals do as they prepare for winter. ​

​We also enjoyed some quiet time listening to a story about autumn. Campers drew their favorite fall activities, creating their own pages to add to the book. We made beautiful stained glass leaves using contact paper and tissue paper, which caught the sunlight and decorated the windows during the day. Campers also created their own scratch art to reveal colors underneath, just like the hidden colors in leaves. ​
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​For many, the best part of the day was catching crawdads and other macroinvertebrates in the South Platte River. What a great way to start November!

To learn more about SPREE’s Adventures Outside day camps during the school year, visit www.thegreenwayfoundation.org/holiday-camps.html. Registration is now open for our November 23rd and 24th Native November camp. We will be investigating the native people and animals of the South Platte River.