MSU Extension Tollgate Farm and Education Center

WILD WINTER CAMP 2022 

 Monday, February 21, 2022 

Campers celebrated our not so wintery, Michigan winter with on our first day of Tollgate Farm Wild Winter Break Camp. The morning began with flag ceremony which includes the flag raising, the pledge of allegiance, and the 4-H pledge.

Next, we took a wagon ride to the forest to explore our Maple sugaring operation. Out in the sugarbush the campers learned how to identify a maple tree, how to tap a tree, and then explored the scientific process of how sap turns into deliciously sweet maple syrup! 

During a visit to Ms. Darby, in the greenhouse, we each made a mini-greenhouse through a project called ‘winter sowing.’ Campers learned about winter hardy kale, learned about green houses, and created a mini green house of their own to get a head start for spring! 

Next, off to the barn the campers went! Caring for our sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, and rabbits-- campers checked to make sure the animals were displaying normal behavior while learning lots of fun facts. From harvesting eggs from the chicken coop to visiting our newest additions to the farm, our baby lambs, each pepper groups visit to the barn was a highlight for many! 

Campers set out bait in an effort to capture some animal tracks and explored the Tollgate forest in winter, including a visit to our partially frozen vernal pool! Can you guess what some of the first tracks to be seen were?

One of the big questions we asked our campers during winter farm camp was "How do animals cope with the cold?". We talked about how some animals like bears or snakes hibernate in dens or colonies, while some animals like birds and monarchs migrate to warmer areas. Last, we talked about how some animals we still see in the winter are able to "tough it out" through adaptation. Campers were able explore the idea of adaptation when participating in a fun science experiment learning about how Wood Frogs adapt in freezing temperatures so that they don't freeze and die. 

A pinnacle moment for many campers, garden kitchen included pumpkin pancakes with Tollgate maple syrup and learning about the importance of steam for popping popcorn and turning maple sap into syrup while enjoying a delicious snack of maple popcorn! 

What a beautiful and exciting Day 1 of winter camp we had! We look forward to more "wintery" exploration tomorrow! 

 Tuesday, February 22, 2022 

Day two of camp lucked out as the rains kept their distance for the morning, allowing us to begin our day on the drier side! The Green pepper group started our morning on a high note leading our flag ceremony, where campers worked together to post and raise the flag, as well as recite the pledge of allegiance and the 4-H pledge.

Knowing the rain was on its way, campers rushed to their first rotation-- Garden Kitchen for the Green Peppers and acorn wool balls for the Purple Peppers. 

 For acorn wool balls campers learned about animal adaptations and characteristics of wool. Campers were able to learn the process of felting and felt their own acorn wool ball. Even though the water was warm for the wet felting the campers hands were quite cold, so the felted wool was a more difficult task then we originally imagined. Despite these challenges all the campers did an amazing job and left with a magical product that features our two favorite things at Tollgate: the farm and nature! 

In addition to acorn wool balls campers made bird feeders to help care for our resident songbirds in the cold of winter. 

The highlight of many campers today was Garden Kitchen, where the campers hunger was curbed and bodies warmed. This morning was a busy one, as campers prepared a delicious berry smoothie for the morning snack which paired nicely with a graham cracker for dipping. The smoothie was only the first of the three garden kitchen recipes the campers would be helping prepare this morning. In addition to the smoothie, campers helped bake corn bread and prepared veggies for our afternoon snack: vegetable stew.

Another favorite morning rotation was animal chores. The Green peppers were excited to meet the ducks, chickens, and rabbits. We learned that rabbits are used for meat and pelts on a farm(not at our farm though), male ducks are called Drakes and Female ducks are called Ducks(hens), and we found out that chicken eggs are really warm when we found 11 eggs in the chicken coop! The purple peppers visited the goats and sheep, learned about lambs(baby sheep) and kids(baby goats) and helped clean up the stall. 

Added bonus was after lunch the Purple peppers were excited to teach the green peppers about the Elm borer damage in a piece of bark they found in the forest yesterday. It was an exciting learning experience for all! 

Later, campers continued to create their own insulation shelters that they were able to take home. Because we didn't have the freezing temperatures that we normally have at winter camp, we were not able to conduct the experiment at the farm, however all campers left with the tools needed to complete the experiment at home. How did your camper's insulation shelter do? Did your campers 'frog' freeze?  

To conclude day two of camp both "pepper" groups came together, separately to prepare a vegetable stew to share. While the stew was cooking campers explored tree rings while creating their own tree rings to resemble their life and growth. Today campers learned lots, played games, prepared and ate delicious food, made friends, and investigated the question of "How do plants and animals cope with the cold?"

Campers gathered around our warm Garden Kitchen to share a bowl of soup they made with their "old" and "new" friends. We reflected together about the highlights and challenges we faced during the past 2 days of this not so "wintery" winter camp. The soup may be gone and the 2022 winter camp may be over but the memories, friendships, and experiences made by the campers and staff will last a life time!

Thank you for a successful and fun 2022 Wild Winter Camp!

To view all of the 2022 Winter Camp photos please visit our google photo album.