Monday is the first full day at Junior Nature Camp and it is always one full of excitement and challenges. The new campers are busy getting to the camp, campers and staff and the returning campers are busy getting back in the JNC groove.
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Preceding bird walks, should a camper decide to rise early, is hot chocolate time. These ladies are taking the opportunity to do a little waking up and be ready when it time to put on the binoculars.
Bird walk leader Jon Altemus outfits the campers with binoculars donated by Alumni and JNC supporters.
Dave gets his group out for their first bird walk.
A little time spent tuning up the binoculars and eye-balls pays off.
Here, camp director Jeff Altemus show the camper how to make the individual adjustments needed for best viewing.
Naturalist Greg Park spotted a Red-bellied woodpecker points it out to his group.
The slow, steady pace and concentration required on the bird walk keeps campers focused.
A campers nicely appointed home away from home.
Setting up dinner places for nearly a hundred people - 3 times a day, requires a highly coordinated team effort.
Every day, just prior to breakfast, is the raising of the flag. Since this is the first raising Greg explains in detail how to properly unfold and raise the flag. This way, each group will be ready for this responsibility when their turn arrives.
Once raised, the Pledge of Allegiance it led by the Color Guard.
Counselor Cory Altemus "guards" the dining room door...
...while set-up continues.
Neatness counts when setting up the tables.
Maddie Pyles gets surprised by the camera while enjoying her hot dog lunch.
Monday afternoon's session was conducted by Jon Altemus. His topic was "All about Raptors." Jon has become well acquainted with North American raptors (birds of prey) through his 15 years as a volunteer at Golden Gate Raptor Observatory in Marin County California and had a wealth of knowledge to share with the campers and staff.
Prior to his talk Jon set up this wing span scale showing the differences of the various species of raptors.
For comparison, Jon used one of the campers' arm spread width to show just how big the 9 feet plus spread of a California Condors' is.
Jon kept the campers and staff captivated with all the itresting fact and figures about raptors.
Jon quizzed us using silhouettes of various species of interesting. Not surprisingly a good number of JNCers recognized them.
Once again - a very telling comparison showing the size of the California Condor's wings. Amazing!
The Free Time period before dinner is a nice time to relax..
...play some music...
...hang with your friends...
...frolic in the pool...
...explore nature with a Praying Mantis..
...get some archery practice in...
... and take a look at a little piece of JNC history with and old long bow.
Here, Greg Park partially draws a 50 year old long bow made from lemon and walnut wood.
The bow and string were made by George H. Breiding who, from 1950 to 1963, was director of Oglebay Institute's Nature Education Department at Oglebay Park. When George passed on in 2007 the bow went to his son Michael who then gifted it to Greg Park, an avid archer.