The group now has two Forest Kindergarten mornings under their belts, and I can already sense their spirit of exploration and adventure.  The first morning, as I headed out to meet the children, a pileated woodpecker called out from our very own forest classroom, as if welcoming us back.  The children have re-established our bone museum under the pine tree near our fire circle area, where they keep bones and other items of interest that they find in our "Hundred Acre Wood".  They are enjoying revisiting favorite spots from last year and introducing them to new friends. 

     Our first hike was to The Rocks.  The next week we returned there, and then went a little farther to explore The Cave.  The  children shared use of a few flashlights we had with us to check out the cave.  They noticed that water was seeping through the rock in places, though it was not rainy out.  A portion of the group made themselves comfortable in the small space inside the cave and told spooky stories, altering them when needed to keep everyone comfortable. 

     One curious Kindergartner, creating his own internal map, as we go, has us thinking about the upper trail, above the rock formations that we've been exploring, as well as the trail that descends to the valley below.  The children have plans to hike to the creek next, and they are becoming familiar with our named touch points along our frequented paths, like The Shortcut Climb and Fox's Swamp.  Some children are discussing spending additional time in our forest classroom during the week, as well.

     This past week,  in fact, we went on three hikes--one in the Glen and two to the Wellness Center!  We went once to preview the pool and again the following day for our first swim time with our Older Group partners.  On that third hike of the week, to the Wellness Center and back for our swim and gym time, the children literally came together in a couple sweet ways, making visible the bonds they are already forming with each other.  On the way over, two children threw their arms around each others' shoulders, and walking together, side by side, chanted, "We have two heads!  We have two heads!"  One by one, almost all of the children joined, each time adding a "head", until they were chanting, "We have nine heads!", while walking in one line with their arms around the friends on either side.  On the return walk, the children decided to take a route through the long grass.  Matt, our Older Group assistant who accompanies us to the Wellness Center, and I took the mowed path.  Part of the group reached our meeting place, while Matt and I were still walking.  The other part of the group, coming upon a swampy patch, had trouble finding a way around.  Before they could even finish telling me what was happening, two children, who had been resting at the meeting spot announced, "We'll help you!"  They plunged back through the tall meadow and led their friends out.  It's going to be a great year!

P.S.  This is what the children dictated after our first rainy Forest Kindergarten morning. 

"How To Be Comfortable on a Rainy Forest Kindergarten Day"

• Wear a rain coat.
• Wear rain proof shoes or boots.  Don't wear regular shoes
• Don't step too far in the creek, or you'll get soaking wet.
• Bring an umbrella, until Lindie puts the tarp over the fire circle.