Storytelling and Nature Connection II | Schedule and Sample Itinerary

Grades 6-8* | 5 Day Camp | Monday-Friday | 8:30-3:00PM

*based on participant’s grade in Fall 2023

Location

Monday-Friday Drop-off/Pick-up | Fairhaven Park

WTA Route 105 stop 2029.

Thursday | Take Wild Whatcom Bus for a day at Teddy Bear Cove

Friday | Larrabee State Park (Main Entrance/Amphitheater)

 

Sample Itinerary

Activities may vary depending on participant interests and variable safety considerations (i.e. weather, preparedness, support needs)

8:30-8:45: Flexible Drop Off

  • Play game while waiting for participants to arrive

8:45-9:30: Opening Circle

  • Introductions: Share names and pronouns

  • Cover physical and heart safety

  • Land Acknowledgment 

  • Share plan for the day

9:30-9:45: Snack

9:45-10:45: Intro the Camp and Navigation Lesson

  • Each day you will be using your map and compass to guide you to different challenges taking place in Century Forest. These challenges will prepare you for your scavenger hunt on the last day.

  • Share how to read a map and use a compass

    • Lesson/Activity: Map and compass treasure hunt

10:45-11:30: Challenge 1: The Concentration

  • A storm monster named Williwaw, has been tearing down the towns in Century Forest because it’s child, Nimbus, is sick and it is in distress. You must find the right medicinal plants to cure Nimbus’s illness. But first you must learn how to identify these plants. 

    • Lesson/Activity: Nature concentration for plant ID

11:30-12:30: Challenge 2: The Ask

  • Knowing each medicinal plant is only part of the process of using it. Now we must find each plant and ask to use its medicinal properties. These are gifts that we cannot just take. 

    • Lesson/Activity: Plant scavenger hunt to practice plant ID and honorable harvest

12:30-1:00: Lunch

1:00-2:00: Challenge 3: Tricksters Den

  • You take your medicinal plants to Ganoderma, the artist conk spirit, who can help you heat and brew Nimbus’ remedy but discover that a trickster, Raccoon, stole Ganoderma’s fire and has hidden it in the forest. Raccoon is a master at disguising their tracks, making them incredibly hard to find. You must learn what Raccoon’s tracks look like, follow them to the hidden matches, and return them to Ganoderma. 

    • Lesson/Activity: Tracks match and trailing game to practice tracking 

2:00-2:30: Peaceful Place

  • Map/Journal: Add to your map where you travelled to and a symbol for what you learned/accomplished there. What new skills did you practice today?

2:30-2:45: Hike back

2:45-3:00: Closing Circle

  • Preview of next day

  • Attitude of gratitude - What are you thankful for from our time together?