Today was our last day of camp and our theme was “Nature in the City.” The campers used the skills they learned throughout the week to go trekking and tracking around the museum. They went on a few mini hikes and walked down to the beach where they found a ragworm (see image above)!! They also saw some starfish and several native plants and birds. They campers learned about how animals leave signs that they have been in a certain area by leaving tracks, fur, or scat. We noticed a few birds leaving their tracks in the sand. In the afternoon the campers continued to play on the beach, and made animal tracks using clay. Click here to see several photos from this week’s camp!

Animals presented today: Abeni the Sulcata Tortoise

We had such a great time at camp this week. We will be at the Bay Area Discovery Museum again this summer and children entering pre-school are welcome to sign up. We also run camps out of Golden Gate Park all summer for children entering pre-school through 6th grade! Click here for more information about our Summer Camps!

Today’s camp theme was “Sun Power” and the campers learned all about the sun and how animals and plants use the sun to grow. They made sun dials and checked them periodically throughout the day to tell the time. The campers also played “Race Into the Sun” and did an experiment called “Black, White & Shiny.” In the afternoon the campers played in the sun at Lookout Cove and made solar bead necklaces.

Animals presented today: Digger the Kenyan Sand Boa, and Jake the Corn Snake

Visit our blog tomorrow for more photos from camp!

Today was another great day of camp! The theme was “Water Magic” and as you may have guessed it we learned all about water and the wildlife that lives in the water. We went into the “Wave Workshop” and learned about the animals that live under the Golden Gate Bridge and then walked down to the Bay to look for Sea Lions. On their hike, they played “Nature Bingo” where they were given a piece of paper with items found in nature on it. Every time, the campers found an item on their list they would cross it off until they had a winner! At the end of the day, the campers played “Pond Tag.”

Today our Spring Camp theme was “Wild Science Laboratory.” The half-day and full-day campers learned all about chemistry, changes in seasons, and why animals camouflage. They made gak or as we like to call it “frog skin” and did some experiments using hot and cold reactions (or exothermic and endothermic reactions). Exothermic reactions release energy, in the form of heat, and feel hot. Endothermic reactions absorb energy in the form of heat and feel cold to the touch. In addition, we created “Fog in the Jar” and went on a hike to explore the changes we see in nature. In the afternoon, the campers continued on their hike, learned about camouflage, and played a game called “Camouflage” and “Redwood Family Tree.”

Click here to see more photos from today’s camp!

Animals presented today: Tiki the Bearded Dragon and Lizarda the Leopard Gecko

Tree Frog Treks is back at the Bay Area Discovery Museum for another week of Spring Camp. Today’s theme was “Roots and Shoots” and the campers learned all about plants. They started the day out with a few games like “Do What I Do” and the “Plant Needs Relay.” They learned about the different parts of the plant and made seed mosaics. They had the museum to themselves so they were able to take their time to really explore the exhibits and Lookout Cove.

In the afternoon, the campers made leaf identification nature guides and went on a hike. They looked for native plants and made leaf and bark rubbings. Check back tomorrow for photos from camp!

Animals presented today: Mr. Buffo and Moe the Western Toads, and Jabba the Argentine Horned Toad.

Today’s theme at camp was “Nature In the City.” Here is what happened at camp:

Today the half-day and full-day campers used the skills they learned all week and put them in use in the field. They went to the Discovery Hall where they learned how to be a naturalist and learned how to track animals in the wild. The campers made clay animal footprints, and went outdoors to look for signs that animals have been present (common signs include tracks, fur, bones, and scat). In the afternoon, the campers finished the mural they have been working on, played a game with flashcards, and went to the beach to look for bird footprints.

It was a great week of camp! Thanks to the Bay Area Discovery Museum for having us, we will see you next week!!

Here is what happened today at camp:

Little and Junior Explorers
Today’s theme for the Little and Junior Explorers was “Sun Power.” They learned all about the sun and it’s importance to plants and animals. They helped to restore the park with Gardener Andy by pulling the evasive plants so that the native ones could thrive. In addition, the campers hiked to the Redwood Forest where they learned about Redwood Trees and built a Redwood Fort. Towards the end of the day they played a camp favorite called “Animal Freeze Tag.” Click here to view more photos from today’s camp!

Adventure Explorers and Wild Scientists
Today the Adventure Explorers and Wild Scienctists went “south” to the Bayou! They started their day by hiking and exploring the Bamboo Forest in Golden Gate Park examining native plants and animals along the way. Then they skipped over to the De Young Museum where they viewed the park from above. The campers packed up their gear and headed to the office for some amazing animal explorations. Once at Tree Frog Treks’ office the campers walked into our Animal Care Facility which houses over 100 rescued reptiles and amphibians. They met many of them and learned about how some of them came to live with us. At the end of the day, they hiked back to Golden Gate Park and went to the Conservatory of Flowers. It was a great day!! Click here to view more photos from today’s camp!

Animals presented today: Declan the Corn Snake, Scratch the Tortoise, and the Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches

Animals presented today: Prince the Ball Python, and Speedy the Pacific Gopher Snake. The campers also learned how snakes use the sun to aid in their digestion.

Watch the video below to learn how to make your own “frog skin” at home:

We had another great day at camp today!! Here is what happened:

Little and Junior Explorers
Today’s theme for the Little and Junior Explorers was “Water Magic.” The campers learned all about water and visited Stow Lake to look for pond life and have lily pad races where they learned to hop like frogs. In addition the campers went on small hikes throughout the park and journeyed to the “Temple of the Dragon” (a.k.a. the Pagoda). The campers made boats out of leaves and learned all about native plants and birds. At base camp, they learned about ways in which you can measure water!

Adventure Explorers and Wild Scientists
Today the Adventure Explorers and Wild Scientists went learned about “Easter Island.” They hoped on a ferry in the morning and sailed off to Angel Island. On their journey to the island, Dr. Fronkensteen told the story of Easter Island with the underlining theme being that you should “live simply so that others may simply live.” Once they landed on the island they examined the lands native plants and animals. The campers hiked Mount Livermore which at the base starts directly at sea level or 788 ft and rises to an elevation of 1538 ft. At the top, the campers were able to see views of Marin, the East Bay, and San Francisco! The campers also made tiki sculptures using play-doh.

Animals presented today: Rita the Leopard Gecko, Rhonda the Rankins Dragon, and Stumpy the Crested Gecko.

Today’s theme at the Bay Area Discovery Museum was “Water Magic.” Here is what happened today at camp:

Today the half-day and full-day campers learned all about water, ponds, lakes, and oceans. They started their day by playing “Nature Bingo” where the campers are given bingo card with items found in nature on them. When they find an item that is on the card they mark it off! This is one of our camp favorite games!! With the younger kids, we went on a “Teeny Tiny Hike” where we mark off a small section outside with flags and explore the enclosed area for bugs, worms, plants, and animals. They campers used magnifying glasses and binoculars to look for these items. In the afternoon, the campers hiked by the old Batteries and the trails around the museum.

photo credit: Chemistryland.com