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Some learning comes naturally

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BY RONNIE BLAIR

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 22, 2009

The boys discovered evidence of the dark side of nature several feet off the trail, tucked away but still visible in the not-so-deep foliage.

"We just found a dead turtle and some bones," one of them shouted.

The discovery of the reptile's demise proved fortuitous. The boys were on a habitat scavenger hunt as part of a nature camp at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park. They needed bones to help complete their list.

The list didn't call for the turtle shell that encased the bones, but every now and then nature provides a bonus.

"I'm glad I'm part of this camp," said an excited Michael Lopez, 11. "Wow. A turtle shell. That was amazing. Just to be part of that was amazing."

The Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department's six-week nature camp, which just completed its fourth week, is providing children numerous opportunities for such adventures in the outdoors.

Campers have spotted a raccoon, examined opossum scat and taken bicycle rides on a trail that winds through the park.

They have learned about animals, insects and plants and how each has a role to play in nature. They have picked up tips about bird identification, courtesy of a slide show presented by Mike Kell, vice president of the West Pasco Audubon Society.

The camp can accommodate up to 60 children, who sign up for one or more weeks. Right now, there is a waiting list.

Each week the campers focus on a different theme, said Tracey Groshans, site supervisor for the camp. This week the theme was habitats.

Groshans is a teacher, and so are the other adults leading the camp. Each day provides the students another science lesson, but Groshans said it's a learning environment without the pressure of grades or exams.

"You try to sit with a group and make it as fun as possible," she said. "It's not school. It's camp."

A group of teenagers, ages 14 to 17, volunteer their time to serve as program assistants, helping the teachers monitor the activities. Although the teens receive no pay, they earn community service hours that can help them qualify for college scholarships, Groshans said.

Since this is nature, some things are out of the teachers' control. Rain has been a frequent nemesis of the camp, forcing some activities indoors.

During one short downpour, teacher Nikki Rodriguez gathered a group on the front porch of the park's education center, where she and the children discussed a habitat pyramid that showed the interconnection between the lowliest of insects and predators such as a bobcat.

Insects might be a nuisance at times, but they, too, are an integral part of the natural world.

"We have to have bugs," Rodriguez said. "Everyone says, 'Get the bug spray. Get the bug spray.' But we have to have those things."

Amadeo Trevino, 8, said Starkey Park reminds him of a park he used to enjoy visiting in New York. He said the camp is interesting.

"It shows me lots of facts about nature," Amadeo said.

Katie Mac Millen, environmental educator at Starkey Park, said the camp raises awareness about the natural world for children who aren't always exposed to what's out there or taught how to observe it.

"The scavenger hunt is great for that," Mac Millen said.

For the hunt, the children divided into teams. Their scavenger list covered two sides of an 8-by-10 sheet of paper. Among the treasures they sought: snake, snakeskin, poison ivy, shell, rock, spider, spider web, woodpecker, orange, nut, mushroom and moss.

Each team carried a bag to tote finds back to the education center, though not everything was destined for the bag. Some of the items - snakes, for example - fell into the "leave it be" category. The children were to point those creatures and plants out to the program assistants accompanying them.

The team destined to find the turtle shell set out down a trail that led past the park's cabins. In addition to Michael Lopez, the group included Daniel Sandoval, 10, Matthew Sandoval, 11, and Michael Barnes, 11.

Also with them were program assistant Robert Rapisarda, 14, a River Ridge High freshman who is Grosham's son, and Heather Toomer, 24, a University of South Florida senior who is studying environmental science and policy. Toomer is helping with the camp as part of an internship program.

The discovery of the turtle shell wasn't the only adventure the hunt provided. Michael Barnes tangled with a spider web, trying to wipe himself free of the clinging fibers.

Toomer spotted a tiny frog, hopping almost invisibly through the grass.

Even a trip to the trash can proved profitable for the amateur naturalists. Ants atop the trash can lid dined on a dead grasshopper.

The grasshopper was making its final contribution to the habitat pyramid.

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