posted by admin on May 28
Dear Mr. Science,
Do you like cats or dogs?
Kimmy, age 4
Hi Kimmy,
Thanks for asking. I like them both but if I had to pick I would say that I like dogs better because you can tackle them on the beach and play with them in the sand. Dogs are silly and I like silly dogs! They lick your face, play fetch, and like to go on walks. They are my type of animal!Keep those questions coming!
Sincerely,
Mr. Science (a.k.a. Chris Giorni)
posted by admin on May 27
Photo credit: rockvilleexploration.com
Sticky Monkey-Flower is native to southwestern Oregon south through most of California. This flower grows to be up to 3 feet tall and has dark green sticky leaves. The flower is tubular at the base and has five lobes that range from white to red in color – although the most common color is light orange. Sticky Monkey-Flower grows in many climates and different types of soil including wet, dry, sandy, or rocky.
Native Americans used this flower as an antiseptic for healing minor scrapes and burns.
posted by admin on May 25
Today Meet Erin Elizabeth Dal Ferro. (Left to right: Erin, Sky, Chris, and Shelly)
How long have you been working with Tree Frog Treks?
E: I’ve been with TFT since March of ‘08, so this will be my 3rd summer!
What is your role at Summer Camp and what do you feel you bring to the table?
E: I’m the Programs Coordinator so I spend most of my time in the office making sure everything goes smoothly for our parents and campers. I help with Monday morning check-in each week as well. I try to bring organization to summer camp with my geeky love of color coding!
Why did you choose to work for Tree Frog Treks?
E: I work here because I love my co-workers (human and animal!) and I believe in our mission.
What is your favorite thing about our camp? Why?
E: I really enjoy seeing the pictures of all the exciting and silly things our campers do all summer long.
Who is your favorite Tree Frog Treks animal and why?
E: It’s so hard to pick just one, but my true love is Mookie, the Madagascar Mud Turtle. She really knows how to relax and I love her smiling face!
What’s the one thing you want your campers to leave this year’s Summer Camp thinking or knowing?
E: I want all of the campers to know what an amazing place out planet is…there is beauty all around us!
posted by admin on May 21
Dear Mr. Science,
What are owl pellets?
Hans, age 5
Dear Hans,
Great question! Owls typically eat early in the morning since they are most active when it is dark. Their bodies break down the food and 20 hours later any food they can not digest turns into pellets. These pellets contain bones, teeth, hair, feathers, and skeletons on the various animals or prey they ate. The reason they do this is that their stomachs do not break down these items.
We have dissected owl pellets at camp before and may do it again this year. In the meantime, if you are interested in learning more about pellets you can do your own virtual pellet dissection at www.kidwings.com.
Keep those questions coming!
Sincerely,
Mr. Science (a.k.a. Chris Giorni)
posted by admin on May 19
Photo credit: wildherps.com
Rough-Skinned Newts can be found in the Cascade Mountains through Montana, Idaho, and extending to Santa Cruz California. These newts are typically found in moist habitats, woodlands, or forests. They have rough skin and are light brown to brownish black on top with an orange belly. Rough-Skinned Newts are most active at night and some are primarily aquatic. Their diet consists of invertebrates including amphibian eggs and larvae.
Rough-Skinned Newts have a strong poison if eaten. This poison helps them to avoid getting preyed upon in the wild. One-thirteenth of the toxin present in the skin of this newt could kill a human. Although, a human would need to ingest it in order for this to happen. However, there have been reports of skin irritation after they have been handled.
posted by admin on May 18
Today Meet Chris Giorni, founder and director of Tree Frog Treks.
When did you start Tree Frog Treks?
C: Tree Frog Treks was founded in 1999.
Why did you start Tree Frog Treks?
C: I started the company to create fun outdoor adventures for kids and adults. Then it quickly morphed into a mobile science laboratory – to bring hands-on science and live animals to kids all over the Bay. I wanted to provide a dynamic, outdoor, live animal, hands-on experience so that others might be more inspired to learn, image, and be inventive. Tree Frog Treks is a place where learning and adventure cross paths.
What is your role at Summer Camp and what do you feel that you bring to the table?
C: At summer camp, my role is being the director of the camp directors. I will meet and greet all the kids, lead morning assemblies, and song and science demonstrations. I being excitement and energy to camp!
What is your favorite thing about camp?
C: I love to wake up and wonder what the new day will bring. Camp is a new adventure everyday and brings new animal and plant discoveries, and new friendships.
Where is your favorite place to hike and why?
C: I really enjoy the hike that is close to our office off of Hayes. In just two blocks you are taken from Hayes Street to a lush, green oakwoodland filled with life. My other favorite hike is in Tennessee Valley Trail System in Mill Valley. It is close to the city, but again worlds away with a limitless view of the Pacific Ocean at the end.
Who is your favorite animal at Tree Frog Treks?
My all-time favorite animal was Buddy the Iguana – R.I.P. Now, it is Blondie the Burmese Python – she will melt event the most hardened heart to love snakes.
What’s the one thing you want your campers to leave this year’s summer camp thinking or knowing?
A “can do attitude” about science and making positive changes in saving, preserving and maintaining our home. I also want them to have fun learning!
Anything else you would like to say about camp, or Tree Frog Treks in general?
Stop by the office Monday through Friday from 9:00am – 5:00 pm to meet our animals or drop your kids off at our pad on Saturday night for Kid’s Play Night. In regards to camp, make sure your kids are dressed to “get out and get dirty!” See you at camp!!
posted by admin on May 14
Dear Mr. Science,
Why do we have different time zones?
Ashley, age 9
Hi Ashley,
Thanks for asking! A long time ago, time was set based on the sun. When the sun reached its highest point in the sky it was considered 12:00pm noon. So depending on where you lived from state to state, and city to city, the time was different. It wasn’t until the railroads began to operate that time became standardized.In 1878 Canadian Sir Sanford Fleming proposed a system of time zones that we still use today. He decided that the world be divided into 24 time zones, each spaced 15 degrees of longitude apart. Today most countries operate according to Fleming’s system. However, some countries including China, Australia, Antarctica, and the Middle East and South Asia use variations of this system using one of fewer time zones for their country.
The United States is separated into four different time zones: Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific.
Keep those questions coming!
Sincerely,
Mr. Science (a.k.a. Chris Giorni)
Photo credit: learner.org
posted by admin on May 13
Photo credit: www.mybirdcount.blogspot.com
American Coots range from southern Quebec to the Pacific coast of North America and as far south as northern South America. These birds are found on every lake in Golden Gate Park and are probably one of the easiest birds to identify. American Coots are almost all black except for the white splotch on its forehead, white bill, and the reddish-brown spot near the top of the bill between their eyes. They are typically 16 inches in length and weigh 1.5 lbs.
American Coots are most often see floating on lakes with their heads bobbing back and forth looking for food. Although these birds prefer to look for food in the water, they also forage for food on land. It takes a lot of energy for American Coots to become airborne but when they do fly they have a ton of stamina.
posted by admin on May 11
Today meet Shelly Helstowski our Business Manager.
How long have you been working with Tree Frog Treks?
S: I have been working with Tree Frog Treks since February 2009. This is my second Summer Camp!!
What is your role at Summer Camp and what do you feel you bring to the table?
S: I am the Business Manager at TFT. You will meet me at camp on Monday at the registration table checking in all of the campers. I am also the face or in this case the words behind this blog and on our Facebook Page! I feel that I bring a sense of calmness to camp.
Why did you choose to work for Tree Frog Treks?
S: I wanted to work for a company who’s mission I could stand behind and I definitely can with ours! Plus, it’s a fun place to work!
What is your favorite Tree Frog Treks animal and why?
S: I have a lot of favorites but today, I would say it is Pablo the Bearded Dragon. He is one of our friendliest animals and has a really great personality.
What’s the one thing you want your campers to leave this years Summer Camp thinking or knowing?
S: I want our campers to leave camp wanting to come back next year! I would like them to experience new things and want to learn more about science, art, and nature.
posted by admin on May 10
Bike to Work Day is this Thursday! So hop on your bike and pedal to work instead of driving or taking Muni.
At Tree Frog Treks, we pride ourselves on the fact that several of our teachers bike to class instead of drive. We have four extracycles with containers and bags attached so that our teachers have enough room to pack up their supplies and animals. On Bike to Work Day, we will be encouraging all of our teachers to bike to their classes with the exception of our classes in Marin and in the East Bay. Tree Frog Treks is working to reducing our carbon footprint one class at a time!
Some of our teachers not only bike to work on a daily basis but also do some for entertainment and special causes. This summer, one of our lead naturalists Rachel Freed, or Sting-Ray as she is referred to in class, will be embarking on a 7 day – 545 mile trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles on bike. She will be participating in this years AIDS/LifeCycle, which raises money for AIDS research. For more information about this ride please visit www.aidslifecycle.org. If you are interested in helping Rachel meet her goal, visit her webpage by clicking here.
Get Out and Get Dirty!
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