I am super excited about my new teaching space and have to share it with you.
I am an Environmental Educator at a local ecology center. In my previous (pre-having kids) life, I was a PreK teacher so this job is better than perfect for me. ♥ I do a little of everything at the Center, but my main focus is working with homeschool kids. Seasonally, I run a weekly session for kids to supplement their education and I lead monthly field trips for a Homeschool Pod. Almost everything is done outdoors unless it is dangerously cold or thunderstorms.
In July, I am introducing a Mini Day Camp for 4-6 year olds, a completely new program for us and I am *thrilled* about it. One concern is "What happens if it rains?" There is a small classroom but the main day camp program will need it. So, where do I take them?
Enter Cabin 39.
Because Weis was a campground for years before it became a non-profit ecology center, there are many cabins dotting the property, Cabin 39 being one that had been renovated. Guess who is going to be using it when needed?
Me!
I started cleaning it out yesterday and took some pictures to share. I mostly swept out the cobwebs, dried leaves, and dirt, mopped the floors, and brought in some kids' shelves that had been in my attic since my own kids outgrew them. Next steps are looking for small rugs to sit on, nature posters, and things for the kids to use and observe, and interact with.
Before:
After:
Outside:
I found some planters to add to the front "garden," which needs to get weeded and spruced up and there are some small pots on the steps-- also need to find some flowers to plant in them.
I was joking with my family about one thing I found inside that no one but me or my coworkers would think was cool. Behind that open door in the 2nd photo, I noticed there was something hanging between the beams and the wall. Not a cobweb-- but a snake skin! He must have used a rough part of the wall to help him (or her!) shed.
Isn't this cabin adorable??
If any of you have ideas to help me decorate it, I'd love to hear them! Once I have regular classes, I will use their artwork, but I need some things in it before then.
Thanks!
I am an Environmental Educator at a local ecology center. In my previous (pre-having kids) life, I was a PreK teacher so this job is better than perfect for me. ♥ I do a little of everything at the Center, but my main focus is working with homeschool kids. Seasonally, I run a weekly session for kids to supplement their education and I lead monthly field trips for a Homeschool Pod. Almost everything is done outdoors unless it is dangerously cold or thunderstorms.
In July, I am introducing a Mini Day Camp for 4-6 year olds, a completely new program for us and I am *thrilled* about it. One concern is "What happens if it rains?" There is a small classroom but the main day camp program will need it. So, where do I take them?
Enter Cabin 39.
Because Weis was a campground for years before it became a non-profit ecology center, there are many cabins dotting the property, Cabin 39 being one that had been renovated. Guess who is going to be using it when needed?
Me!
I started cleaning it out yesterday and took some pictures to share. I mostly swept out the cobwebs, dried leaves, and dirt, mopped the floors, and brought in some kids' shelves that had been in my attic since my own kids outgrew them. Next steps are looking for small rugs to sit on, nature posters, and things for the kids to use and observe, and interact with.
Before:
After:
Outside:
I found some planters to add to the front "garden," which needs to get weeded and spruced up and there are some small pots on the steps-- also need to find some flowers to plant in them.
I was joking with my family about one thing I found inside that no one but me or my coworkers would think was cool. Behind that open door in the 2nd photo, I noticed there was something hanging between the beams and the wall. Not a cobweb-- but a snake skin! He must have used a rough part of the wall to help him (or her!) shed.
Isn't this cabin adorable??
If any of you have ideas to help me decorate it, I'd love to hear them! Once I have regular classes, I will use their artwork, but I need some things in it before then.
Thanks!
I planted some at my house years ago before I knew about invasives and am trying to rip out as much as possible.
How awesome that you can use this space, and the snake shed is always a treat to find! 
I am happy for you and the kiddos that you will have a place to go to if it is raining! 
