Switching It Up in Week 4

Primitive Pursuits campers got to explore the Ithaca area this week, with multiple camps taking place in different locations. Our home base this week was the Ellis Hollow Community Center, where the Forest Explorers, Pathfinders, and Forest Village occupied the forest. Ellis Hollow’s woodsy trails and sunny creek made for a great place that was different from our usual 4-H acres and still fun!

One of the camps along the trail has a swing set and multiple forts which was the perfect spot to get some shade. The Forest Explorers spent time there hanging out and playing games. Down by the creek, the Pathfinders stayed busy doing lots of crafts. They made clay masks, crafted boats and fairy houses, and made a rocket stove. During lunch, the instructors told stories and sang songs. Forest Village interacted with nature and caught some cute critters! At one point, a thunderstorm forced us to head back to the pavilion, where campers practiced stone-drilling to make necklaces and told stories.

Our traveling camps this week, the Wilderness Explorers and the River Scouts, got to spend time at a different location each day. These groups stay very active and fast paced throughout the week, which makes for a super exciting time for the campers. On Wednesday, the River Scouts developed their wilderness survival skills by fishing and catching crayfish. Led by lead instructors Sean and Francesca, we trekked along the paths of the Monkey Run Nature Trails, where we climbed steep hills and got to see amazing views of the creek and the forest from the cliffs. During the intermittent rain storms, we huddled under the trees while Francesca and Sean told stories.

The Pathfinders making clay masks with instructor Gwen

Arnot Forest had two groups of campers this week, the overnight campers and the day campers! On Tuesday, both groups hung out in the Hemlocks, looking for critters in the creek and playing games. They also got to make their own fabric dye by scavenging for different plants. Everyone got to add their own drawing to the Primitive Pursuits banner! I painted a giraffe! In the afternoon, campers got to make soap stone carvings with instructors Julia and PJ. 

An Arnot camper cooling off in the creek

Photo Gallery - July 22-26, 2024

Photos by Hallie Allport and Ezra Stasavage