Green Science Adventure Camp – Day 1

It was a hot, humid, and exciting kick-off to summer camp season at MSU Tollgate Farm! Green Science Adventure Camp means we explore all the farm has to offer, from barns, forest, pond, gardens, and our freshly cut hay fields! Campers spent time in the barns with the animals and prepared a delicious snack during Garden Kitchen. The focus of this camp is on food science and sustainability. Today’s theme was “Dip Deep!”

We began the day with a “Pepper Party” to review C.A.R.E.S. and get to know each other. We then all gathered for our flag ceremony. The groups are divided into four colors of peppers: Green Peppers are with Ms. Dawn, Yellow Peppers are with Ms. Tanya, Orange Peppers are with Ms. Madeline, and Mr. Julian has the Red Peppers. Groups tie-dyed shirts today by the barn and will receive them on Thursday. Campers are invited to wear them for the last day of camp on Friday!

Animals chores included milking Jenna, a Toggenburg goat, collecting eggs from the chickens, or feeding and freshening water for the goats, calves, and sheep, depending on the group. Each group will have a chance to assist with each of the animal chores during the week. Other jobs included sweeping the barn and spraying off the shady patio.

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Heading Down the Lane to the Animal Barn

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Chores and Fun Visiting the Goat Kids

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Sweeping Up

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Everyone Taking Direction, Goat Included!

The animals and campers weren’t the only ones needing to hydrate today! We haven’t seen much rain lately at the farm, so campers set to work watering and tending the plants in the garden.

Hydration Break

Hydration Break

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Mission for the Week: Caring for the Tomato and Pepper Plants

 

 

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Harvesting Spinach for Tuesday’s Garden Kitchen

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Watering the Beds

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Fill ‘er up! Let’s water these plants!

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Careful Watering

Garden Kitchen snack entailed creating Asparagus Rafts. Campers prepared asparagus by cutting it into pieces, sliding the pieces onto toothpicks, and grilling it with an Asian-inspired sauce. One camper related her experience upon tasting the snack to being at a Hibachi restaurant. Another camper was overheard saying, “I don’t normally eat asparagus, but I liked that!”

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Hooray for Asparagus Rafts!

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Helping Out a Fellow Camper

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Great effort combined with great ingredients makes for great food!

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Go Green!

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Raft Assembly in Progress

 

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More, please!

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Delicious!

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Asparagus Rafts Recipe and a Goat

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Whipping Up a Tasty Sauce

Asparagus Prep

The Asparagus Prep Line-Up

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Finished Rafts

Campers enjoyed opportunities to tour the farm. Each group went on a wagon ride. What is the difference between hay and straw? Groups also went on soil sample hikes. They were able to choose their own locations to take samples. How are soils classified? Why do some plants grow in some places and not in others?

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Happy Campers Loaded Up

Let's Go on a Wagon Ride!

Let’s go on a wagon ride!

To accompany our adventures exploring what lies below the surface, we investigated a vermicomposting bin. Campers brought along compost scraps from lunch to feed our red wigglers, residing in a bin along with wet newspaper and cardboard. What are castings? Why are castings valuable additions to a garden?

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The Vermicomposting Bin

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What’s going on in there?

Campers participated in a story about pollution to discuss ways it could be prevented and to identify sources of pollution. Campers were asked to imagine they were a fish named “Freddy” navigating a river. They thought about how various pollutants may impact their journey and health. As a group, they considered types of pollution which may be occurring at Tollgate and in their neighborhoods. Is it easier to prevent pollution or to clean it up? What can you do to prevent or clean up pollution?

A Fishy Story

A Fishy Story

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Discussing Pollution and Prevention

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Syrup Representing Oil on Roads and Parking Lots

Finally, campers began thinking and working on their STEM projects with the objective of developing a working definition of the concept of sustainability and how it applies to life and agriculture. Campers will build farm models building on concepts encountered throughout the week. What does it mean to be “sustainable?” How do we use sustainable practices at Tollgate Farm?

It was a wonderful beginning to the week! New friendships and summer camp memories are already being formed…

Asparagus Rafts

  • 16 thick asparagus spears
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
  • 1 clove of garlic (minced)
  • Cooking spray
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • Salt

Directions

  1. Heat grill up
  2. Snap off tough ends of asparagus. Line up side by side, 3-4 asparagus spears, so that they are touching each other. Run skewer through the asparagus near the top and bottom.
  3. Combine soy sauce, sesame oil and garlic. Brush on top of asparagus rafts.
  4. Grill about three minutes on each side until crisp tender. Sprinkle sesame seeds and salt.

Spider Oat Bites

  • 1 cup (dry) oatmeal
  • 2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes
  • 1/2 cup sunbutter
  • 1/2 cup ground flaxseed or wheat germ or wheat bran
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips or cacao nibs (optional)
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 1 Tbsp. chia seeds (optional)
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Cover and let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.
  2. Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like. (Mine were about 1″ in diameter.) Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.
  3. Makes about 20-25 oat balls.
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