Recapping an action-packed Wellesley Eco-camp

Wellesley Youth Commission Director Maura Renzella and Wellesley NRC Environmental Education, Outreach and Compliance Coordinator Lisa Moore held a week-long Eco-camp this summer for 21 rising 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. The free camp offered opportunities for Wellesley Middle School Students to explore the many green spaces in and around Wellesley and engage with nature.

During the week participants explored Guernsey Sanctuary, attended a fishing clinic presented by Mass Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, catching Bass, Pumpkinseed and Bluegill fish. They took a guided walk led by Andrea Dannenberg, Guernsey Sanctuary Steward and Wellesley Conservation Land Trust board member, learning about the history of the sanctuary and about the flora and fauna that live there. Participants were challenged with locating six geocache containers stashed around the sanctuary, collecting pieces of an art project assembled at the end of the hike.

In addition, participants explored the North 40, swam and kayaked at Morses Pond, witnessed a bald eagle diving for fish, hiked the MOPO trail learning about the ecology and Wellesley watershed, played an eco-themed mini golf game at MOPO beach, and painted scenic views from the beach.

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Mid-week campers got to visit nearby Landsake Farm to learn about growing fruits and vegetables, helped with a farm chore, picked tomatoes and herbs to make and sample salsa, and picked string beans to bring home.

North 40 exploration continued with campers helping with two volunteer projects. The group painted 600 animal tracks along the north 40 boardwalk to educate about the animals that call the North 40 home, and cleared a plot at the Weston Road Community Garden to grow vegetables for the Wellesley Food Pantry.

At the end of the week campers took a break from the heat at Launch Trampoline Park and challenged themselves as they climbed through the tree tops at the high ropes course at Tree Top Adventures in Canton.

This recap of Eco-camp was shared by Lisa Moore.