The second annual Enviro-Camp, an outgrowth of the Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club, and sponsored by the Logan County Land Trust was held Aug. 05 – Aug. 09 at Kirkmont Center. On Monday the campers learned how to ask questions such as “What do I wonder?” and “What does it remind me of?” when making observations in the natural world. This was combined with instruction in basic watercolor technique to enhance the journaling experience.

Dwight Greenbaum of Rush Creek Studio in Bellefontaine and Land Trust director Catherine Carter led Monday’s session. On Tuesday, noted northeast Ohio naturalist Judy Semroc provided an afternoon of interpretive exploration in a variety of settings at Kirkmont. Following the hiking, the campers prepared their own foil dinners, which were enjoyed along with another traditional camp treat, smores. The day concluded with a presentation by Judy on ways for parents and teachers to share nature with children. Wednesday morning, Blake Mathys, Benjamin Logan graduate and Associate Professor of Environmental Science at Ohio Dominican University, set up mist nets in order to band local song birds.

Two chipping sparrows and a ruby throated hummingbird were banded. Data collected, when the bands are recovered, will provide valuable data for research. Ohio Department of Natural Resource Geologist Andy Nash led the campers through one of Kirkmont’s signature ravines on Thursday. Andy explained how geological forces at play over past millennia have resulted in the special topography found at Kirkmont. The final session on Friday began with a presentation by apiarist Dwight Wells. Dwight has decades of experience with honeybees, and he introduced the campers to both the hobby and science of beekeeping stressing the importance of pollinators and the idea that feral honey bees are best suited to surviving in Logan County.

After Dwight’s talk, the students worked on completing mason bee houses. Mason bees are solitary bees that do not produce honey, but are nevertheless important for their contribution as pollinators. Along with the environmental focus sessions, the campers enjoyed swimming, cage ball, and a climbing wall along with other traditional camp fun. Twenty campers spent the week at Kirkmont Center, and an informal survey revealed that a large majority of them plan to return next year.

For more information about the Logan County Land Trust, The Benjamin logan Environmental Science Club, or the Enviro-Camp, please contact Bruce Smith (smithb@benjaminlogan.org), Bob Stoll (bob.stoll5@gmail.com), or Catherine Carter (catherine.carter12@gmail.com). If you are interested in preserving the rural character of Logan County, please consider joining the Logan County Land Trust and volunteering to further our mission.