Wildlife Photograph

Junior Naturalists Have a Blast and Learn a Lot at Ijams!

Thursday November 24, 2005
By taking part in Ijams' Junior Naturalist Program, kids can learn what it's like to be an Ijams naturalist.

    The Junior Naturalist Program is for kids 10-14 who want to learn more about nature and outdoor activities. The goal of the program is to actively put children in touch with nature, so that they become comfortable outdoors and can share their knowledge of nature with others. The program is a series of 9 classes that runs from January to July. Class subjects include Mammals and Tracking, Orienteering, Animal Care at Ijams, Amphibians and Reptiles, Hiking 101, Spiders and Insects, Birds of Prey and an Ijams Overnight. The 2005 program had 12 participants this year and 3 graduates of the program. To graduate, you must attend 6 of the 9 classes and participate in an Ijams service project. The graduates were Nathan Fitzgerald, Michael Colantoni and Ashley Colantoni. Nathan should receive special recognition for his hard work, he attended every class and has volunteered several times at Ijams since graduating. The 2006 Junior Naturalist program starts in January.                                                   
The first three classes are:
Saturday, January 28 (10-1): The Nature of East TN.  Learn about plants and animals of East TN, make a field guide, learn Ijams' trails, and make bird feeders.
Saturday, February 11 (10-1): Mammals and Tracking.  Learn about the mammals of East TN, learn to detect tracks and signs of animals, make your own track guide.
Saturday, February 25 (10-1): Orienteering and Outdoor Skills.  Learn to prepare for hiking trips, learn to read a map and compass, learn to use a GPS unit, and go on a scavenger hunt.                                                                                                            
If you would like more information, please call Kara East at 577-4717 ext. 115.

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