Today was a very rainy day, so a majority of the day was spent inside, but some of the kids embraced the weather as an opportunity for a higher level of fun, and spent as much time as was possible out in the rain.  This morning, Allie also made an exciting addition to our on site materials by bringing in a load of scrap wood and some sand paper. Many of the kids were fascinated to learn about how sand paper worked, and even more happy to use it to make some of the smoothest wood that you will ever feel. This was especially appreciated as an activity on this cold and rainy day.

First thing in the morning we started our morning choice block. Dylan and I took several kids on a rain walk in search of edible plants, Julie and Chantelle helped kids look for more items for our terrariums, and Allie worked with a large group of kids on the porch, sanding wood or painting with water colors.  After we got back from our rain walk, Dylan took another group out to the site of our shelter this year to continue clearing the area. I stayed behind with a group of kids interested in further smoothing their pieces of wood, while everyone else went to the porch for games and tons of arts and crafts.

After lunch, some of the kids continued their work on the porch, but as per usual, most kids played Capture the Flag. We had a nice quiet time with sanding, reading and relaxing in the barn and on the porch, but only relatively quiet due to the scratching of sand paper on wood.  During the two afternoon blocks we offered five activities. Allie and Julie took more kids on a rain hike around the Land Lab, Dylan taught several lessons on different types of knots, their purposes and how to tie them, Chantelle played nature bingo with kids on the porch, and I sanded more wood with many of the kids who continued to be drawn to the sanding enterprise.

I would like to remind all parents that their children probably went through their change of cloths on this wet day, so if necessary be sure to send a new set of clothes tomorrow morning.  Socks are especially important. Also, tomorrow morning we will be having Judy come in as a guest to give the kids a lesson in the wood shop, so closed toed shoes are advisable.