Camp Warner Park taught me how amazing nature can be!
We had so much fun at Camp Warner Park this week: we spent all day every day outdoors: rain or shine! While I knew that we would be exploring and playing in the Park no matter what, each day was a little different and full of surprises.
Sometimes we got wet and messy. Splashing in the creek and looking for crayfish was really fun! We also had some wacky water games and relays: there was even a water sponge fight. I got soaked (but it was my favorite way to cool off)!
I really felt like an explorer at Camp. I got to go on nature hikes on Warner Park’s beautiful trails. There were so many tall trees and green leaves. When I first came to Camp, I was nervous about going on hikes. I didn’t know what we would come across or where the trail would take us. But my counselor and my friends helped me not to be afraid, and before long I would get excited to find something new on the trail. We even saw squirrels and deer! We made sure to be very careful to respect these amazing animals and their space since we were visitors in their home.
I’m so glad I got to go to the Nature Center. It’s really great of the Friends of Warner Parks to make sure we learn a lot and have a great week at Camp. My friends and I got to see what animals and plants live in Nashville. Now I can tell you the difference between different kinds of animal tracks.
We met a lot of special visitors at Camp! Walden’s Puddle helped us meet Tennessee animals and learn how to respect them and the places where they live. The Tennessee Mounted Patrol were so nice to let us pet their horses (it made me want to learn to ride a horse someday). The Harpeth River Watershed Association came to visit, camp, too. They showed us how important it is to keep our water clean for the animals that live in the lakes, streams, ponds and rivers.
One of my favorite things to do at Camp was build a fort. I got to work together with my group and my counselor said it was the biggest fort she had ever seen! It reminds me of the forts I make with my family in our living room on movie nights. Now I can show them how to build a whole new kind of fort- and it will give us a chance to enjoy nature together.
We made lots of cool crafts at Camp, and played some of my favorite games like Traders and Bandits and Capture the Flag. I love using my imagination when I play: it helps me to think of new ideas, and gets me excited to try new things.
My counselors and friends were really awesome! Everyone helped each other when we were learning something new or trying an activity one of us thought was scary. We gave lots of hugs and high-fives and laughed at a lot of jokes and silly stories. At first I was worried about being away from home, but Camp was a great way for me to learn more about myself and meet new people. I hope my brother and sister can come next year, so they know how much fun it is to get outside and play.
