By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Class was in session at Lowe-Volk Park Thursday morning as the Crawford Park District held its inaugural Home School in Nature series of classes.
Taught by Crawford Park District Naturalist Lisa Bogard, the first class was subtitled, “Who Left That?” The course featured two sessions lasting one hour each with the first one starting at 9 a.m. and running until 10 for children ages 5-8, while the second class began at 10:30 and ran until 11:30 for children ages 9-12.
Bogard explained what inspired the series of classes.
“It goes back to when I was working at the zoo. We started doing a home school class up there. It was kind of almost pawned off on us because it was a touchy subject then, but I fell in love with it, the kids were amazing,” Bogard said. “I continued it when I was at Findlay and had pretty good success, and they continued it even though I am not there. So I asked the guys, ‘Hey, am I allowed to do this?’, and they said they were all excited. But they said they hadn’t had much success, but to give it a try.”
The classes featured three educational activities for the children to learn about different footprints as well as scat that come from animals which are indigenous to Ohio. The first activity started with a worksheet in which the kids had to decipher which animal footprints matched with the animal itself.
The second activity featured students learning more animal footprints as well as the scat that the animals would leave behind. During this activity students rotated tables as they inspected each track and scat, which were plastic facsimiles.
For the final activity the students went into the woods on a hike, exploring clues of animals that Bogard had placed in the woods. The students would have to piece the evidence together before coming to the conclusion of what animal they were tracking. During the hike students also discovered scat and markings from animals that weren’t part of the activity. While exploring the kids discovered raccoon scat, woodpecker markings in a tree, as well as a squirrel trying to steal some of the evidence baggies placed in the woods by Bogard.
Michael Mateen explained that he really enjoyed the program.
“It was fun. It was really, really fun,” Mateen said. “My favorite part was looking at all the animals’ stuff.”
Matthew Hebauf noted that doing the third activity of the day was his favorite part of the class.
“I liked it, it was good,” Hebauf said. “My favorite part was the tracking, when you went outside and tracked. Just walking around outside was great.”
Aubrey Evans explained what she enjoyed most about the class.
“I liked seeing the poo and I liked seeing the tracks of the animals,” Evans said. “It was something that I normally don’t get to do.”
This was just the first class in a series of classes that will take place on the second Thursday of each month through the month of April. Bogard noted that she hopes that the class will be able to do a night course in May for the students.
For more information, contact the Crawford Park District Office at 419-683-9000, stop by the Nature Center during operating hours, or visit their website at www.crawfordparkdistrict.org.