Nature Explorations

Darke County Parks

Summer is time to explore nature’s playgrounds throughout DarkeCounty Parks; this is exactly what a dozen of6 - 7 year olds did for an entire week! The campers enjoyed learning about bugs, butterflies, aquatic macroinvertebrates, birds, and flowers. Early Monday morning, after learning a new skill of how to properly catch a butterfly, campers set off with an adult leader to catch butterflies throughout the prairies. On Tuesday, the campers discovered the difference between reptiles and amphibians and were able to touch several live herps. Campers then used a kick seine net and also used hand nets to explore a section of Greenville Creek at Worth Family Preserve. We discovered many critters that call this wonderful section of Greenville Creek home. Thursday campers discovered that feathers are what makes a bird a bird. They also enjoyed a Bird Talk from Brukner Nature Center (involving live birds!) and making their own personal bird feeder to attract birds into their backyard. To wrap up the week a flower was dissected and the function of each part of the flower was determined. Campers pressed prairie plants in their own personal flower-press and made a picture out of dried flowers.

For more information please contact Darke County Parks at 548-0165 or info@darkecountyparks.org.