BYC 2018, week 2, Thursday

 Today our projects included

On-the-fold painting

Nature sticks

Woodsies people

Wikki Stix sculptures

A few drops of paint in the center, fold it, press it, and see what beautiful thing happens!

A Native American tradition, "nature sticks" are a way to thank the earth for its bountiful gifts!  You can place this decorated stick in your garden as a little token of your appreciation.

Twin snacks at snack time today!  Tomatoes and pretzel sticks!  Who knew!?

After snack we played some parachute games and then practiced our play with the scenery we painted yesterday!

Someone's growing antlers...

There they are!

Give a couple of teenagers a camera....and let them do their thing.

BYC 2018, week 2, Wednesday

Today our art choices were

Marble painting

Book making

Bean collages

Sculpting with putty--coil pots 

Next we sang with musical instruments and danced with the May pole!

In order to prepare for our play, we painted some scenery.  Trees and flowers for the woods and a darling house that the bear family lives in.

Last, we worked on our play, practicing all of the classic lines found in

"Goldilocks and the Three Bears."  

We are very excited to perform it for you!

P.S.  Parents, I asked a friend of mine who is a retired photographer, if he would like to take some pictures for me at Back Yard Club.  He was happy to and stayed for about an hour this morning.  I will share his photos with you as they become available to me.

I have one so far...the BYC teachers!

BYC 2018, week 2, Tuesday

We got out instruments right away this morning and had a great time playing along to our songs.

Today's art project choices were

Bubble wrap prints

Weaving on a loom

Crowns

Clay--free play and wall pockets

And of course, loads of easel painting going on!

After our project time and snack we went on a nature walk to collect tiny treasures.  We put these tiny treasures along with a sprinkle of glitter into a window hanging!

Next we practiced "The Bear Story," as I hear the kids call it. :)

Many years ago some friends and I built a portable May Pole.  It's fun to pull out and let the kids make something beautiful as they dance, as the English tradition goes.  Along with dancing to English folk music, I sort of cheat and pull out a simple French folk song, Les Salut.  It's a great one to do with ribbons in hand.

BYC 2018, week 2, Monday

Hello!  We had such a wonderful first day of Back Yard Club!  Here are some pictures to enjoy.

Each day camp starts with songs and stories at the blankets.  After that we have 45 minutes of free-choice art projects.  Painting as well as drawing with chalk, dry erase markers, and crayons, are available under the tent daily.  We also offer 4 other choices.

Today's choices were

Object prints on black paper

Wood medallion necklaces

Eye masks

Clay creations  (free play)

After project time we had a snack and then headed out to paint with water.  

This is a great activity to try at home!  

What happens when you paint water on the driveway?  A tree?  Leaves? Rocks?

How fast does it evaporate?

Next we read a bug book and went on a bug walk to see what little crawling and flying creatures we could find.

After our walk we got some drinks of water and listened to the story of the week, Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Next we did some folk dancing!  The kids learned Seven Jumps from Sweden.  They also danced  The Chicken Dance from Germany, and Ring around the Rosie.

In Seven Jumps there is a series of notes where each time around we add a body part that we touch to the ground.  Until we get to seven!  Knee, knee, elbow, elbow, hand, hand...

Head!!

Chicken dancing...wings!

Clap clap clap clap!

These two were quite the dancing duo during the part in the chicken dance where we twirl with a partner!

We are looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow!

BYC 2018, week 1, Friday

What a great day of Back Yard Club! 

We did a good job passing around the camera today.  Enjoy the pictures of our activities!

Of course we began with stories and songs--

Abby reads Have You Seen My Duckling and Press Here.

We are singing a Back Yard Favorite, "Little Red Wagon."

Say Hi everyone! :)

Abby spots a bug in the bird house (which is currently home to some baby birds)!

Today our projects were...

Mono prints (a personal favorite)

Beaded bracelets

Paper plate masks

Wikki Stix sculptures

But first!  A tiny toad is spotted near the bushes! 

That little critter was exactly the color of the soil, I'm amazed Jordyn could see it at all!

Next we got out the much-loved parachute!

I love telling a story about a fisherman (a ball) who was out at sea on a calm day...

until the storms rolled in! 

He's bounced around in the storm to be sure!  But when the weather calms down, he calls his friends to bring out their boats and join him!  Of course there are more storms and more bouncing and tossing!  (And a lot of preschooler squeals!)

Then our balls turn into flying fish and we work together to send them sailing through the air!

We also played a color game, 

Made bubbles to sit inside...

And "tickled" the kids!

After parachute play we practiced acting out our story, Caps for Sale with our newly completed scenery!

Next...Moms and Dads and Grandpas and Grandmas came for the show!

Those are just the trickiest (and thirstiest) monkeys and most talented peddlers I know!

After my helpers and I cleaned up camp we took our traditional trip out for some icees!

These great kids do a fantastic job of teaching, guiding, and helping your kiddos!

Matthew (meditating, of course!?) myself, Jordan, Eliza, Jordan, and Abby are pictured here.

Kristan and Amara are not pictured.

Have a wonderful summer everyone and thank you for joining us for Back Yard Club!