Until Next Year, Gator Train.

It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our Gator Train campers. Although today was our last day of camp, we were not short on fun activities. In the morning, the campers enjoyed water play, read Dinosaur, Dinosaur by Kevin Lewis, and made dinosaur scratch art. After lunch, the campers relaxed under a tree and listened to The Super Hungry Dinosaur by Martin Waddell. Afterwards, we discussed how scientists excavate dinosaur bones and fossils from the ground. The campers were then given the challenge to "excavate" chocolate chips from chocolate chip cookies using only a toothpick. We ended the day with yummy popsicles and time to play on the playground.

We hope your child enjoyed his or her time at Gator Train! On behalf of all the camp instructors and counselors, we thank you for a wonderful summer! See you next year!

All Aboard for the Natural History Museum!

Today, the Gator Train campers traveled to the Natural History Museum to see the Dinosaurs! We also checked out the Perkins Wildlife Center where we discovered live animals and plants that are native to Ohio. After our tour, we ate lunch outside by "Steggy" the Stegosaurous and played a version of "Duck, Duck, Goose" called, "Stegosaurus, Stegosaurus, TRex!"

Bones, Bones, Dinosaur Bones!

The Gator Train campers spent Wednesday learning about dinosaur eggs, dinosaur bones, and how to keep a dinosaur as a pet! With Miss McCool, the campers decorated dinosaur eggs and got to choose a dinosaur to put inside. They also created dinosaur pictures using stickers and markers. During their time with Miss Soeder, the campers read How to Raise a Dinosaur by Natasha Wing and played Stegosaurus, Stegosaurus, T-Rex/Brontosaurus Brontosaurus, T-Rex, our dinosaur version of Duck, Duck, Goose. After lunch, the campers combined to read Dinosaur Bones by Bob Barner and created their own dinosaur bone pictures using penne pasta and elbow macaroni.

Tomorrow is our field trip to the Natural History Museum! Don't forget to wear your green shirt!

How Big Is Big? Dino Week continues at Gator Train

ROAR! Today the Gator Train campers read "Dinosaurumpus" by Tony Mitton and played "What Time Is It, Mr. Dinosaur?" with Miss Soeder. With Miss McCool, the campers played the "Dinosaur Name Game" and made dino necklaces. After lunch, we explored the size of the dinosaurs by measuring the height of 5 dinosaurs (Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Velociraptor, T-Rex, Brontosaurus) with string and tied a balloon at the end so we could visualize how tall these dinosaurs were. Many campers were surprised that they were actually taller than a velociraptor! We also examined the actual size of a T-Rex and a Brachiosaurus' footprints and estimated how many campers could fit on the surface of each footprint. Then, each child traced his/her own footprint to compare it with the footprint of the dinosaurs.

Gator Train: Dinosaur Land

Today, Gator Train started their dinosaur-themed (and final!) week of fun! The campers were split into two groups: Stegosaurus and Brontosaurus. With the help of Miss McCool, Miss Soeder, and the wonderful counselors, the campers spent the morning learning how to walk like dinosaurs (to the music of an Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs' song) and decorating bags with dinosaur-themed stickers and stamps. In the afternoon, both groups read a book and practiced sorting dinosaurs from other types of animals. 

Gator Train Travels to the Shaker Heights Fire Station

On Friday, the Gator Train campers boarded a bus and headed to the Shaker Heights Fire Station. We met Fire Fighter Kevin and he talked to us about fire safety. He also gave us a tour of the fire house, including where the fire fighters eat and sleep, as well as where they store their equipment. We learned about what typesof equipment keeps the fire fighters safe from fire and smoke. Each camper had a chance to sit in a fire truck and pretend to drive it!

Rockin' Water Play & Sculptures

Gator Train continued their "When I Grow Up" week by learning about being a rockstar and a sculptor. In Miss McCool's Whistle Stop, the campers spent time outside doing water play. Unfortunately, only the Chefs were able to play with all the fun water activities; a storm "derailed" the Rockstars time at Miss McCool's Whistle Stop, causing them to make a detour inside for other fun activities. During Miss Soeder's Whistle Stop, the campers decorated guitars using neon pain, feathers, and jewels. Some campers were even able to "rock out" with their unique guitars! At the end of the day, both groups spent time learning about the job of a sculptor and were able to sculpt their own statues out of Model Magic and Play Dough.

Tomorrow is our field trip to the Shaker Heights Fire Station where we will learn all about being a firefighter! Don't forget to wear your green shirts!

Cooking Up Some Fun at Gator Train

Today, Gator Train campers learned about being a chef with Miss Soeder and decorated their own chef hat. With Miss McCool, they put on their "dancing shoes" and learned about a variety of dances. We danced to the "Color Parade" and the "Freeze". In the afternoon, we read the book, "Dig" and talked about jobs in construction and architecture. Then, each child created his/her own building structure out of marshmellows and toothpicks.

Gator Train - When I Grow Up

For Gator Train's "When I Grow Up" week, the campers were split into 2 groups: Rock Stars and Chefs. During the Movement Whistle Stop with Miss McCool, the campers played a game with a parachute. They learned each others names and discussed what kind of job they would like to have when they get older. During the Art Whistle Stop with Miss Soeder, the campers colored pictures of different professions and decorated bags with those pictures. After lunch, the groups combined to read a book about the jobs and responsibilities of a baker. The campers then made their own party mix using marshmallows, pretzel goldfish, chocolate chips, and chex.

Gator Train to the Aquarium

Today, Gator Train had a field trip to Cleveland's brand new Aquarium.  We saw lots of interesting things including sharks!  We even got to pet the stingrays. 

July 10th

Today our campers continued their ocean journey. In Miss McCool's Whistle Stop, the campers read the counting book, Fish, Swish, Splash, Dash by Suse Macdonald and learned the finger play, "I'm a Little Fishy". They also started their Paper Plate Porthole project. In Miss Davis' Whistle Stop, the campers read The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen and practiced their surfing techniques! In Miss Soeder's Whistle Stop, the groups continued reading The Magic School Bus: On the Ocean Floor, a book they started Monday and will read the whole week. After reading, the campers pretended to be whales catching plankton in their baleen by using whales made out of milk jugs to filter glitter (plankton) out of tubs of water.

Commotion in the Ocean

Our fish, turtles and sea horses decorated paper bags to hold all of their goodies with Miss McCool. In science, Miss Soeder helped our campers make sea urchins and starfish out of play dough. Then they created a tide pool using the play dough creatures! With Miss Davis they read "The Rainbow Fish" and played games during movement.  We are off to a great start!