A Child Who Found a Trail 

Week of April 12, 2026 – April 18, 2026

by Jade Zollo, Baltimore Woods Camper and Intern

My name is Jade and I am a seventh grader at The New School in DeWitt. I completed an internship at Baltimore Woods this winter.

I have been going to Baltimore Woods for summer camp ever since I was old enough to go. It has made such an impact on me and my life. It is such a gift to learn about nature from people who really love and care for it. My passion for the world and the people in it has never wavered, and one of my personal goals is to ensure that everyone is educated and cared for. Baltimore Woods will always be one of my favorite childhood memories. The teachings of the woods and of everyone there fed my ever-growing knowledge. I am very thankful for getting the chance to do an internship here.

The following is an original poem Jade wrote as part of their internship:

A Child Who Found a Trail. 

Crisp autumn and thoughtless trotting

No plotting, leaf and knotting

Across the land,

Ideas in hand.

Life now budding, hope and small green.

A child has found a spark-

Although not yet that smart;

Its alright to find home

In this small green grove.

The idea in hand is a mushroom,

How is it an idea, you may ask?

Concepts and turning tables.

This small mushroom is the start of something new

In this small grove

There is a slow tune:

“No,no I wont change for you.

I assure you-

This true doom.

Not the end-

A fall friend.

Not sure what to say?

I don’t either, allow yourself to stay.”

This mushroom is an idea

In the fact that it is a spark

Not only ignition for the flames of the mind,

But fuel for the kind

Macro view of a tree bud

We invite our members to enjoy a weekly blog written by our naturalists. Every blog will be uniquely different but always inspired by nature. We may share a memory from a recent hike at The Woods or teach you about an animal or plant that lives on the preserve. No matter the topic, we will be sharing with you our passion for nature and celebrating the connections we all have to the natural world. Each blog will be connected to a weekly set of activities and ideas to help you put nature in your hands, even if you’re at home!