I had an awesome time in Cades Cove. There is nothing like spending a day with a group of about 40 first graders to put life in perspective. We had a blast, although it was a little rough getting out of bed this morning. My poor ankles may never be the same. They required appropriate walking shoes, but I apparently don't have appropriate walking feet. Little bit of pain this morning.
We were barely 5 minutes into our walk, when Ranger Ashley stopped us because there was a deer in the thicket right beside us. The little doe just stood there as we all snapped her photo.
Our theme of the day was the animals that live in the wonderful natural habitat of the park.
They discussed various animals found in the park and let the everyone feel several different animal pelts. Caleb was not too fond of the skunk. You could just hear him thinking, "No way am I going to touch that one."
He did love the bear skin. He had no problem with it.
Until the ranger walked off and the claw came near his knee. He couldn't move fast enough out of the way.
After we learned about the various animals and insects found in the Park, we had a scavenger hunt. They had hidden 15 animals and insects in a section of the Park and we had to find them and identify what type of animal....mammal, reptile, amphibian, insect, etc. My little team was one of the first to find and correctly identify them. They were so proud of themselves.
We then played a little game that had them all laughing and having a ball.
Our final "quiz" for the day was a relay race where Ranger Mike described an animal and the child had to go find that animal out of a pile of stuffed animals at the end of the race.
Caleb was really into the relay race, cheering his classmates on.
And after the day was done, they still had the energy to act silly.
