two hundred and fifteen

During our stay here on Martha’s Vineyard, the girls have been attending what they call “Nature Class”.

For the rest of us, that means “Saturdays on Senge“, a kid-oriented, family activity that is put on as a cooperative endeavor between the Friends of Sengekontacket and Felix Neck, two local environmental groups.

Each week has a slightly different topical theme, water creatures, shells, and shorebirds are a few that we’ve taken part in. A naturalist from Felix Neck comes with just the right gear for the day- today all the kids had binoculars to search out birds! She also has a little talk and some activities up her sleeve to keep the kids interested and asking questions.

I love bringing Catherine and Esme to these kinds of activities. They are fun, free and give them an on-the-ground appreciation for the Earth around them. In fact, I should credit both organizations for helping to support my love of nature. I went to camp at Felix neck in first grade and then 8th grade and as a teen I helped the FOS plant beach grass along the same beach we were at today.

[Photo caption: Catherine sitting near her camouflaged plover nest, from today’s shore birds class]