Week of July 14, 2024 – July 20, 2024
by Kaylen Iorio, Environmental Educator
I recently joined the Baltimore Woods Nature Center staff as an Environmental Educator and one of my roles in this position is to transition into a summer camp counselor for the duration of the season. Having worked in this field for many years at swim camps, sleepover camps, and educational camps there are many pastimes and games that can be found at each of these camps all over the country. From sharks and minnows, to introductory name games, to “down by the bay” hand games, camps from the east coast to the west coast share many similarities.
However, at Baltimore Woods, camp is run a little differently. Every morning the day starts off with a game called “On the Spot”. I had not encountered this activity at any of the other camps I had worked at previously, so, I was naturally intrigued about this tradition. A nature themed show and tell is a vague definition of this game, where each group (about 8 groups of 10 campers) is assigned a designated day that they are allowed to present during “On the Spot”. Campers discover something at Baltimore Woods during camp and present their object to the rest of the campers and counselors. There are obvious rules of not presenting anything living or anything that is dead and stinky. When a group is called up front and center to present, campers of all ages rush up to share what they have found. From interesting looking sticks, to smooth rocks, to old car radios, the possibilities for “On the Spot” are endless!
This week I got to witness guided discovery within my group, but “On the Spot” takes this a step further by encouraging campers to share their new found knowledge with the rest of the camp. It’s wonderful to see the excitement from the campers to share their object and to learn more about it. Enabling passion about discovery is an important part of learning, and “On the Spot” is a stellar way to get campers interested in learning about the natural world.
As an educator, I am always looking for ways to get kids engaged and excited about learning and discovery, so, I am grateful to have joined the Baltimore Woods team and learned about the tradition of “On the Spot”. Here, at Baltimore Woods Nature Center, I have a better understanding to why connecting kids to nature through wonder is such an important part in establishing a genuine relationship with nature. “On the Spot” encompasses Baltimore Woods’ mission in connecting kids to their environment. This pastime will be an activity I take with me to encourage discovery in the environment and motivate kids to share their knowledge!