Jane, Author at Wildwood Outdoor Education Center

The Big Yellow Bus

Jane Summer Camp September 3, 2019October 31, 2019summer camp, yellow bus

Six times this summer I woke up early to meet the big yellow bus in local grocery store parking lot to load up campers for their journey to Wildwood.

Parents and their campers turn in their final paperwork with camp staff, load duffel bags and pillows into the rear door, give each other big hugs before they spend a week away from each other.

I love seeing the excitement of kids and parents, the slight smell of diesel, the squeak as the bus comes to a stop–it all reminds me of my week at Wildwood as a sixth grader. The excitement of going somewhere far away, on my own.

Trauma-Informed Care Matters at Camp–Here’s Why

Jane Trauma-Informed Care August 20, 2019October 31, 2019campers, summer camp, trauma-informed care

On a hot July day at camp this summer, I got to witness trauma-informed care in action. An eight-year-old camper sat on a bench outside the dining hall. He stared at his knees, head in his hands.

Seeing the sad camper, Robyn, Wildwood’s Executive Director, sat next to him.

“Hey, Mason. You look upset. Are you doing okay?”

Another camper ran up to the bench.

“No,” explained the camper, “Mason’s upset because there weren’t any apples left in the snack bowl today.”

“I didn’t get one yesterday either,” Mason chimed in.

“I can fix that!”

Mason didn’t think it would happen–there were only oranges in the snack bowl in the dining hall. But the walk-in refrigerator had plenty of apples.

When Robyn brought back an apple for Mason, his face lit up. He smiled wide and hugged her.

“Thank you!” Mason exclaimed.

“You’re welcome, buddy.”

What In the World Is Bio-Inspired Design?

Jane Makerspace July 17, 2019October 31, 2019

Last month, right as our first campers were arriving, we finished the build on the new Eagle’s Nest Makerspace. Our Makerspace master (and elementary school teacher), Kyle, spent the month of May and early June planning a fun, bio-inspired curriculum that meets next generation science standards for engineering.

But when I tell people that “Wildwood has this new, super-awesome, Makerspace that focuses on bio-inspired designs,” I get blank stares. What in the world is bio-inspired design?