Willowhaven Field Trip

Today our day went a little differently.  Since this is going to be our only Thursday together at home before the homeschool co-op startes we decided to take a field trip.  We began the day with Bible time where we learned the last two days of creation (before God rested) - day 5 fish and birds and day 6 animals and people.  We stickered-up our book pages again too.

Then we loaded up our trail mix snacks we created on Monday, 8 kids, and 2 adults and headed to Willowhaven.  Thankfully, Willowhaven is only 5 miles from us, so we can return often to visit.  It is a beautiful place.  The old barn is beautiful, inside and out.  Inside the barn was so much educational stuff that we could have spent a half day inside.  They had live critters native to the area to observe.  There were stuffed local animals displayed everywhere.  Puzzles for kids, books, explorations tables, binoculars to look outside, numerous displays and posters were all available for exploration.  We did not know that was there bu,t now that we do, we will be going back during the woodland/prairie animal unit.  We then went outside for the intended purpose of the field trip - a nature scavenger hunt.  The kids were given a list of items to observe or find as we walked the paths around the pond and willow forest.  The observations were numerous, and most of the items on the list were found.  The main missing items were pine cones and acorns - who knew they would not have them in a willow laden nature preserve?  They got to see animal holes and paths, frogs and tadpoles in the pond, prairie grasses and native plants and, of course, lots of willow trees.  They even got to hear the wind in the willows (we will now have to read that book).  We found a "secret" path in the trees but decided to wait to see where is leads until it is cooler and we can wear long pants.  The weather was perfect, with not a cloud in the sky, which was another thing they could not mark off their lists.  We did notice the changing of the seasons was beginning on some trees and decided we needed to return in the fall to see the differences in nature.  Next time we will definitely plan a longer trip with maybe even a picnic lunch. 

Inside the Barn at Willowhaven