Adventure Awaits: Camping at Lake Garrison!
Get ready for an exciting camping trip... right from home! We're going to pretend we're at the beautiful Lake Garrison in New Jersey and experience all the fun of camping.
Let's Go Camping!
- Pack Your Bags (Imaginary): What would we need for a real camping trip to Lake Garrison? Discuss essentials like a tent, sleeping bags, flashlight, bug spray, swimsuit, hiking shoes, food, water, etc.
- Set Up Camp: Designate a spot in the room or yard as your 'campsite'. Maybe use pillows and blankets to build a small 'tent'. Discuss where a safe spot for a pretend bonfire would be.
- Nature Hike & Wildlife Spotting: Go for a walk (indoors or outdoors). Pretend you're on a trail around Lake Garrison. Use books or online resources (see materials) to look for pictures of animals found in New Jersey's Pine Barrens (like turtles, frogs, deer, various birds). Keep a checklist of 'spotted' animals. Discuss animal safety (observing from a distance).
- Lake Fun - Kayaking & Paddleboarding Practice: Lay out a blue blanket or mat as 'Lake Garrison'. Sit on the 'water' and practice paddling motions for kayaking. Stand up carefully and practice balancing and paddling for paddleboarding. Talk about wearing life vests.
- Swimming Safety: Discuss important swimming rules: never swim alone, check water depth, stay within safe areas, what to do if you get tired.
- Building a (Safe) Bonfire: Create a craft bonfire! Use brown paper towel rolls for logs, and red, orange, and yellow tissue paper or construction paper for flames. Arrange them in a circle. Now, talk about REAL bonfire safety: keep a safe distance, never leave it unattended, have water nearby, and always have adult supervision.
- S'mores Time!: Let's make a classic camping treat! Follow instructions (using toaster oven, microwave, or oven broiler with adult help) to melt marshmallows and chocolate between graham crackers. Enjoy your delicious s'mores!
- Campfire Songs: Gather around your craft bonfire! Learn and sing a fun campfire song. Try classics like 'The Ants Go Marching' or 'She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain,' or make up a simple song about your Lake Garrison adventure!
- Clean Up & Pack Out: Just like real camping, it’s important to leave no trace. Pretend to pack up your campsite, making sure you leave the area clean.
Wrap Up:
What was your favorite part of our Lake Garrison camping trip? What safety rules did we learn? What animals might we see for real at Lake Garrison?