Activity Description

	Activities and Daily Schedule

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Each day at Big Sky Nature Camp we choose a topic based on the environment around us. That topic becomes our theme for the day and all of our activities revolve around that theme. We break the day into three major activities. In the morning we conduct a field excercise and complete an arts and craft project. After lunch we play a game that is related to the daily subject. We also allow several opportunities for free time and socialization. Click on the titles to go to activity descriptions.
	Field Excercises	back to top
	We believe the best way for children to learn about nature is to get out and touch, see, smell, hear, and yes, on occasion, even taste it. Field excercises usually start indoors with a brief explanation of the topic and its importance in our environment. This is a time when the kids can share with everyone their knowledge about the subject and some "There was this one time..." stories of real life encounters with our selected topic. Then, we gather up our field supplies and head out the door for some hands on learning. A single flower can teach us about the soil it grows in, how it gets necessary water and nutrients, how it uses the sun to make food, the local wildlife that uses it fir food, insects that live in it, how Native Americans used it for food, medicine or paint. Field Excercises also teach outdoor ethics and natural resource protection.

	Arts & Crafts	back to top
	Big Sky Nature Camp is an outlet for a child's self-expression. Arts and Crafts give our kids a chance to use their imagination and creativity. We choose a craft that is directly related to our daily theme. Many times kids have to create an object using the knowledge they gianed in the field excercise. One craft called "invent-a-beast" challenges campers to use their imagination and invent an animal to live in a specific niche. When ever possible we use natural objects when making our crafts. Crafts allow your child to take the daily lesson home with them in the form of something they themselves have created.

Games and Sports		back to top
Having spent the morning learning and creating our kids are always ready to get out and play some games. We play games that actually teach the kids more about the daily theme. Kids get to have fun playing while also learning. Games can be used to simulate how nature works. One of our most popular games is "Camouflage." The kids beg to play it almost every time we hit the woods. This game teaches kids to think like an animal or insect that uses its color to hide from predators. It is a hide-and-seek game, but we can use it to show that an animal's color can really save its life! Our sport and games also teach and encourage leadership, sportsmanship, team building and fair play.

We believe that the beauty and ecological diversity of Montana, especially around the Big Sky area, provides an ideal setting for infinite opportunities to teach children about the outdoors. Big Sky Nature Camp leaders encourage a learning atmosphere that is creative, fun and exciting. We provide a safe and enriching outdoor educational experience for our kids. Your child will gain a better understanding of the ecosystem simply by taking a closer look at an individual thread in the web of life. Kids learn to appreciate and respect our natural resources. Our hope is that some day the children that attend Big Sky Nature Camp will recognize enjoyment and understanding of the natural world as a major part of a well-rounded and healthy lifestyle.

Daily Schedule

9:00	Orientation, New Games
9:30 - 10:30	Morning Field Class
10:30	Arts and Crafts
11:30	Lunch & Free Time
12:30	Afternoon Sport, Games
1:30	Snack
2:00	More Games
3:00	End of camp for the day

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