A Week of Discovery
Thirteen kids joined BRDC at Matthews State Forest Pavilion for Discovery Day Camp.
Geology, birds, butterflies, cartography, stream ecology, primitive pottery interspersed with arts, crafts and hands-on activities filled our week. Thirteen kids joined BRDC at Matthews State Forest Pavilion for Discovery Day Camp.
On Monday, we learned about types of rocks and the rock cycle, minerals and crystals. Using play-dogh and sugar, the kids created examples of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks and crystals from sugar. Later in the day, they examined a local map and then created a treasure map and found the hidden treasure from their maps.
The interns from Matthews State Forest took the kids on a hike around the property on Tuesday finding leaves to create a "Book of Trees". They put their hands into the Mystery Box and tried to identify the objects found inside. We later found seeds, nuts and fruits of trees and played games.
Wednesday was primitive cultures and tracks and signs. They created pinch, coil and slab pots out of clay and later expressed their artistic talents painting these creations. We played a game focused around information gathered from tracks and then created tracks of animals of the Blue Ridge. In the afternoon, we hiked to find tracks of animals and made casts of these tracks.
Thursday continued our adventures with birds and butterflies. After basic binocular use, we explored the Forest for as many species of birds as we could find. They found fifteen species of birds! After collecting materials that would be used for nests, the kids built nests and played games such as Migration, Bird Beak and had paper airplane contests. These games emphasized adaptations, basic needs, and physics of bird flight. During the afternoon, we caught Silver-spotted skippers and Common buckeye butterflies.
Friday was a day of playing and exploring in a creek. After scouring the bottom and rocks for aquatic insects, crawfish and fishes, they spent the remainder of the day splashing around. What a great week of discovery and sharing. A special thank you goes out to Matthews State Forest for allowing us to utilize this great property to explore, discover and share the wonders of the Blue Ridge!
BUTTERFLIES OF SULLIVAN SWAMP, GRAYSON HIGHLANDS STATE PARK
Our 2012 collaboration finished up in January of 2013. This project was a partnership with the Grayson County High School 2nd year art class and BRDC’s Project SiteSection. With this poster we will be helping to spotlight the globally unique habit that is Sullivan Swamp by illustrating the full list of butterflies documented by the SiteSection program.
Our 2012 collaboration finished up in January of 2013. This project was a partnership with the Grayson County High School 2nd year art class and BRDC’s Project SiteSection. With this poster we will be helping to spotlight the globally unique habit that is Sullivan Swamp by illustrating the full list of butterflies documented by the SiteSection program. The illustrations were originally attempted as wood block prints but we decided to ultimately pursue colored pencil illustrations. We also used a combination of staff and student illustrations in order to complete a comprehensive poster of the butterflies documented at Sullivan Swamp. The final poster consists of over 20 illustrations and has been printed on 18x24 and is now available through BRDC and other outlets.
The Walkin' Jim Stoltz event
November 6, 2009 - FOREVER WILD: A CELEBRATION OF WILDERNESS
One of America’s most unique folksingers and backcountry travelers, Walkin’ Jim Stoltz, on tour from the mountains of Montana, will bring his powerful multi-media show, Forever Wild, to the 1908 Courthouse in Independence, Virginia, on Friday, November 6th, at 7:00 PM. The mix of stunning photography, stories, and music make this one-of-a-kind concert an inspiring journey into our nation’s last wilderness areas. This event is brought to you by the Grayson County chapter of Blue Ridge Discover Center and the 1908 Courthouse Foundation.
Tickets were made available through Deb Shell, Barr's Fiddle Shop, Main Street, Galax, VA, S&L Outdoors, Sparta, NC, and at Rouse House Music, next to the 1908 Courthouse, Independence, VA.
Event Summary:
Walkin Jim Concert, November 6th, 2009, at the Historic 1908
Courthouse, Independence, Virginia.
Due to the diligence of many volunteers, and their getting the word out, last night's concert was well attended. Three complete rows of extra chairs were necessary to accommodate the crowd. At 7:00 PM, and as planned, I opened the evening with a simple description of BRDC, how I became acquainted with Jim Stoltz, and a thanks to the volunteers and the 08 Courthouse Foundation. Joyce Rouse opened for Jim with several of her songs, livening up the audience with her unlimited energy. Among her offerings were a piece on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and her hopeful candidate for the Virginia State Song, "Virginia Beauty".
Jim began with some stories, a brief history of his wilderness walking life, and then a song. Throughout the evening, he alternated between lights on, with his story telling and singing, to lights off, with his amazing slide show accompanied always by his deep resonating voice and the guitar. He took us all over the North American landscape to places few of us will ever see. For the exception of four or five images, all of the slides were his. And all of his songs are originals.
Jim is passionate about saving the wild places for all things living, and continued to push that theme on every level. His merchandise table also included, besides CDs, tee shirts, his book, and some educational videos, an array of ways to get involved with wildlife and natural areas advocacy. He also had several original paintings done with cattle markers, a unique concept.
For the audience, it was a ride through canyons, over high sierra peaks, wandering rivers of Alaska, and deep alpine forests. It was also emotional, as his voice can invoke the deepest passions, sadness, celebration, humor, and a spiritual overtone that he does well. From "Just one Mosquito", a funny song about critters he's encountered along his way, to "Old Crystal Bell", a tribute to an old school house and the ghosts found within, he plumbed the full range of feelings, allowing us all to share in the fullness of his life. He had said to me earlier in the day, while setting up, that he is completely aware of how lucky he is.
During intermission, while the 08 Foundation served snacks, Jim signed CDs and books, and conversed with many new admirers. In other words, he got a lot of love. The second half was shorter, with one different approach. Close to the end, he had Susan Gleason and yours truly come on stage to read quotes from famous folks whose work and ideas have helped to grow our awareness of protected outdoor spaces, as well as the essential value of ecological balance. This reading was accompanied by guitar and slides, creating yet another strong message.
Everyone seemed to go away with smiles and many hugs were passed around. Those who stayed, were enlisted in helping Jim pack up his gear and van. By 11:00 PM, the courthouse was locked and dark. You, the community and our collective interests all made it more than worth every minute invested. Happy trails, will keep in touch.
- Scott Jackson-Ricketts