Hello Tollgate campers and families!
This week is special at Tollgate. Animal camp and Winged Wonders camp are happening on site!
This week there are 5 groups of campers: the red peppers, orange peppers, yellow peppers, green peppers, and winged wonders.
All campers started off the day with a flag ceremony. The staff led the Pledge of Allegiance and 4-H pledge. Throughout the week, all of the camp groups will have a turn to lead.
Here is the 4-H pledge to review at home:
“I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living. For my club, my community, my country, and my world.”
Right after gathering time, the staff led the campers in CARES skits. CARES stands for Cooperation, Attitude, Respect, Empathy, and Safety and your camper signed a contract prior to the first day of camp.
The campers had a chance to make tie-dye tee-shirts this morning. Their designs were so creative!
Each pepper group took a turn in the barn for animal chores.
The campers went to the garden to pick kale for afternoon garden kitchen.
They also picked the ripe raspberries. 
After lunch, campers visited the barn for a sheep shearing demonstration. 
How is wool different from hair? What is the oil in the sheep wool? *Lanolin*
Do we shear the sheep’s legs? Why not?
While the campers were in the barn, they took the goats for a walk around the farm.
Garden kitchen snacks were excellent today! In the morning, they made bird nests with vegetables.
In the afternoon, the groups used kale picked from the garden this morning to make kale chips. 
Here are the recipes from today:
Morning: Veggie Bird Nests
2 leeks, shredded
¼ cabbage, shredded
4-5 medium potatoes
2 eggs slightly beaten
1/3 cup whole-wheat pastry flour or gluten free flour
½ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon pepper
3 tbsp olive oil
In a large bowl, toss the cut leeks, cabbage, and potatoes to combine. Squeeze firmly 5 or 6 times to slightly wilt them. You may also choose to squeeze them over a colander to drain excess liquid, otherwise it will pool up in the bottom of the bowl.
Add the eggs, flour, salt, and pepper, and mix until well coated.
Next, heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and drizzle on enough oil that you can roll it around to coat the bottom of the pan.
Working in batches, drop around 1/3 cup of the mixture into the pan, spreading it a bit to be around 4 inches in diameter. Do as many as you can fit into the pan without letting them touch.
Cook for around 4 minutes on each side, adding a bit more oil to the pan if necessary. They should be tender and a deep golden brown.
Makes approximately 24 mini birds nests
Afternoon: Kale Chips
5 kale leaves
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt
Pepper
Remove the kale leaves from stems and ribs, breaking into bit sized pieces.
Wash the kale leaves and dry them in a salad spinner.
Place the leaves in a bowl and coat with the olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Line kale leaves on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, rotating them once half way.
Note: Instead of seasoning with salt and pepper, you can also try garlic powder or balsamic vinegar!
The campers enjoyed hose time in the afternoon.
At the end of the day, each group closes with reflection. What was your camper’s favorite activity today? What is 1 thing they wish they could change? What is 1 thing they are excited for later in the week?
Here is a link to the rest of the photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/bN0qd3dpBp390KRt2.
Winged Wonders has taken flight! Today was an in depth investigation of our Tollgate farm birds, and tomorrow our 16 adventurous campers head out an expedition to Kellogg Biological Station to explore wild birds, including birds of prey. Below are just a few of these young ornithologists wonderings from today:
“I wonder if genetics change the size or color of an egg?” 
“Why are eggs different colors?” 
“Why don’t chickens fly when other birds do?” 
“How does a chicken get higher in the pecking order?”
“Is flying instinctive?”
“What was the original bird before it evolved into a chicken?”
“Does fertilization affect the size and weight of the egg?”
“Are birds only related to dinosaurs or to other animals, too?”
“Do you have to have roosters for hens to lay eggs?” “If you freeze an egg and wait before restarting the incubating process, will the egg hatch?”
“How do birds stay in the air?”
“What is the wing span of a common swallow?”
“Why do chickens have translucent eye lids?”
“What is the call of the emperor penguin?”
“Does wind affect the speed that birds fly?”
“How do you tell if an egg has been fertilized?”
Stay tuned for more updates from Winged Wonders!
We are looking forward to seeing all of you again tomorrow!