The first day of Nature Camp was unusually windy and cool for June in Palo Alto. We had our opening circle indoors, but after that, we spent most of the day outdoors.

Kris gave all the children a “Nature Journal,” a pad of drawing paper that they can draw in, or even tape flowers and leaves into. We went out into the front garden of our host, UUCPA, which is planted with native plants. Two of the children were fascinated by one of the succulents growing there:

We walked to Mitchell Park. The rule of Nature Camp is that when we go to Mitchell Park we don’t play on the playground equipment, we only play on natural objects — like this great tree with a long sloping branch. We explain to children that they should only go as far as they feel comfortable (they don’t get above the heads of counselors):