programs
2010
POISON IVY CELEBRATION: A THOROUGH EXPLORATION OF POISON IVY WITH NATURALIST GUMBY MONTGOMERY •
Sunday
April 11, 2010, 2-5 pm. • Cost $15/person or $20/for two people in the same family.
gumby Montgomery is an amazing naturalist, tracker, and explorer of wild places. He is also VERY allergic to Poison Ivy. He remembers spending many weeks of his childhood with cases so bad his eyes were swollen shut and multiple trips to the doctor. He wishes he'd had someone to teach him everything he's learned about poison ivy treatment and prevention . . . and thus he bring this gift to you! Here is his workshop description:
Master of camouflage. Warrior. Guardian of the woods. Come join us at Clapping Hands Farm for a celebration of Sister Ivy! We'll learn about her preferred habitat and how to identify her at any time of year in all of her many, varied forms as well as her ecological "job" and how she nurtures wildlife and defends the Wilds. We'll learn about some great routines that will minimize your chances of an allergic reaction, common local herbs and other treatments to prevent a rash and to treat a rash if you get one, and we'll address some frequently misunderstood "hot topics" like: Does eating P.I. help prevent itchy rashes? What's the difference between Poison Ivy and Poison Oak? What is Poison Sumac and does it grow around here?
This is an adult program, but any children genuinely interested in learning about this wonderful teacher of awareness are welcome to attend! Bring your questions, personal stories, a notebook, and field guides. I love The Peterson Field Guide To Venomous Animals And Poisonous Plants, but there are many other great guides also. Either you're allergic or you know someone who is. Everyone can benefit from a better relationship with Sister Ivy! Hope to see you there.
SPRING OUTDOOR EXPLORERS: A NATURE AND OUTDOOR SKILLS PROGRAM for ages 3-13 • Tuesdays, April 13- May 18 with a weather make up day reserved on June 1
Ages 3-6, Tuesdays 10 am to Noon, WITH PARENTS
Ages 6-13, Tuesdays, 10 am to 3 pm (parents welcome to stay or go)
Lead Teachers: Louise Omoto Kessel, Gumby Montgomery and various guest teachers.
Program Director: Louise Omoto Kessel
Dates: Tuesdays, April 13- May 18 with an additional weather make up day reserved on June 1.
Cost: $180 for full day program for ages 6-13; $75 for morning only program for ages 3-5
Discounts Full Day Program---$10 discount for our returning Outdoor Explorers! $10 discount; for people who complete registration (including sending payment and forms) before April 1. (and yes, this means a max of $20 if you are a returning "explorer" and get your stuff in early!)
Discount Preschool Program--- same as above except with a max of $15 total discount.
Outdoor Explorers Program for ages 6-13
We will explore the outdoors for the better part of a WHOLE DAY in nature! Our explorations will include tracking, shelter building, canoeing on the pond, learning about edible plants, games to open our senses to observation and the wonders of nature, basic outdoor safety information, an introduction to animal and plant life at our farm, skills in using field guides and other identification tools, map making and trail making, “still hunting” or sit spots, nature art and nature stories! We’ll also be open to spontaneous events like jumping in leaves, fashioning boats to float on puddles, and running about for the fun of it.
Spring is a wonderful time to be outside!
Our day will start with cooperative games and a morning circle, then settle into a variety of activities led by gumby Montgomery. Gumby Montgomery is a stellar naturalist, a great storyteller, and seasoned super teacher with plenty of “kid appeal!” He has worked with The Haw River Festival which travels the length of the Haw River each Spring, with School House of Wonder- an environmental education program based in Durham and with an educational program sponsored by Piedmont Wildlife Refuge. Gumby has graduated from many nature and wilderness survival courses including: Earth School, Wilderness Awareness School, Earthheart and Tom Brown’s Tracking, Nature, and Wilderness Survival School.
Outdoor Explorer Program for ages 3-6
This program for our youngest nature lovers AND THEIR PARENTS will run from 10 a.m. till NOON. Louise Omoto Kessel will be coordinating this special program for parents and children together along with an assortment of guest teachers. Parents will engage in activities with their children, creating a wonderful shared experience in nature! We'll explore everything from trees to poop, feathers to dirt! Activities will include hikes, finding a "secret special place", canoeing, and bear hunts! After the morning class preschool explorers and their parents are welcome to stay for lunch.
Louise Omoto Kessel is the program director at Clapping Hands Farm, the founder of the Haw River Festival, and has worked as a naturalist for the NC State Parks System at Merchants Mill Pond State Park, with the Nature Conservancy on Damariscove Island in Maine, and lived for three years on the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater working with their environmental education program on the Hudson River. She is also a professional storyteller and printmaker, an art teacher, and home schooling Mom to Jabu age 8 and Makayla age 5.
ART PARTY CAMP May 24-28 • (sign up for the week or for one or more days) • ages 2-7 with their parents • cost $175; 2nd child $150; per day cost $40/child/day
Camp Hours: 9am - 2pm
Annual Registration Fee waived for all Art Party campers
This fabulous Spring day camp for the youngest campers and their parents (or other special adult) will involve partying with art all week long! Louise will be setting out a spectacular array of visual art explorations each day and will be joined by creative movement, nature explorers, and music artists for an all around fun time. In Louise's art class come ready to finger paint; mix together colorful slime; play in shaving cream; draw with pastels, colored chalk, and other medium; learn to embroider on burlap or sew your own stuffed animal; make your own toys, and so much more! When you meet our guest artists bring your voices and bodies to the tumbling, dancing, singing chorus of activity! Much of the day will be for adults and children to share in creating together. Each afternoon we will offer an hour long workshop with our guest artists that will be specifically for the creative exploration and rejuvenation of the adults while other artists and camp counselors work with the children. Singing Games provide a lively morning circle and our day ends with a closing circle and story told by Louise. The schedule of Guest Artists is as follows:
Monday- Kathleen Hannan, wonderful singer! "Kathleen Hannan makes music that makes community!" Sarah Palmer, NC Independent. Kathleen is a favorite of ours at Art Party Camp!
Tuesday- Teli Shabu is originally from Liberia and performs with his families company "The Magic of African Rhythm." He brings songs, stories, and instruments from African Traditions. Teli Shabu
Wednesday- Ruth Pershing, singing games and dances! Ruth calls silly, sweet, traditional singing games and dances for the whole family!
Thursday- Jaime Powell, yoga for all ages! Jaime is a holistic personal trainer, a life coach, a musician, and yoga teacher!
Friday- Aya Hope, African dance and creative movement! Aya performs with The Magic of African Rhythm and has taught many times here at Clapping Hands Farm.
> MORE Art Party Camp photos