In the post on “setting up a side project,” I made mention of using the ABCD model in delivering a community-based project. The summer camp programme that I coordinated with a couple of family friends for our children is a practical example. We set up the programme using readily available resources in our local community, which we often overlook and fail to explore.
We used our local park as a blank canvas, offering opportunities to manifest multiple outcomes for the summer camp. The idea originated from my internal monologues during walks in the park, where we imagined the park as an outdoor learning resource. Eventually, we were able to collaborate with some local organisations, and with their support, we had a successful and memorable summer camp with the children.
It was critical to identify the programme’s resources, time, expectations, objectives, and outcomes to ensure its success. As it was the first time we were organising the camp for the children, the scheduling was evolving in real-time, but the outcomes and expectations from the programme remained constant and consistent (i.e., the scope of the programme remained the same throughout the summer camp duration).
A Walk in the Park: A Summer Camp Entry
Dear Diary,
“I had a lot of fun making salads and going on a nature hike.”
Today was an amazing day! It was our first day of summer camp, and we did many amazing activities. It was extremely interesting and fun to engage in different activities with everyone. Many things we did brought me out of my comfort zone and helped me explore new and interesting places. Let me tell you what we did! Our main activities for today were salad-making and a nature walk.
“I wasn’t keen about the salad at first, but surprisingly, it didn’t taste as awful as I had expected, and I even took a second serving.”
Our first activity was making healthy salads with Anna and Darren from Veg Power. Two workers from Veg Power came in to talk to us about vegetables and salads. The Veg Power people were really nice. They brought lots of vegetables. They let us try different vegetables, including ones I haven’t tried, like radish, red pepper, yellow pepper, sugar peas, and herbs like mint and cucumber.
First, they gave us a sample of three different types of carrots and asked us which one would be in a salad. One of the samples was boiled, the other was grated, and the final was left in the fridge. They also gave us a sample of mushrooms, peas, lemons, mint, basil, parsley, radish, salt, peppers, cucumbers, apples, and oranges. I realised that I liked green peppers, preferred shredded carrots to largely chopped ones, and I realised that I hate mushrooms (I was definitely not a fan). We also tried different herbs.
“It was so sweet and elegant seeing different colours of fruits and vegetables coming together to make a beautiful and sweet salad.”
We were put into groups of three, groups one, two, and three, and we made different types of salad. Anna and Darren kindly prepared each ingredient, and we were asked how we wanted each vegetable. Our salad consisted of orange juice, orange, lemon juice, apples, cucumbers, peppers, and grated carrots. My team added red pepper, lemon, olive oil, cabbage, grated carrot, apple, tangerine, and cucumber. We added red peppers, oranges, apples, cucumbers, carrots, and lettuce to our salad. We added lemon, olive oil, and salt in terms of toppings and seasoning. My least favourite vegetable, undoubtedly, was the mushrooms; they initially had a bad taste, and as I continued chewing, that taste became even more revolting. However, I still liked being able to actually taste them.
“We were presented with an extremely intriguing app called Seek that allows us to find out the names and species of different species of plants and animals.”
After the Veg Programme, we had another programme, which was the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Programme. Andy and Georgia came in to expand our knowledge of nature and discuss the species we would find in the park. They also talked to us about all the different equipment we will use, e.g., binoculars. Before going outside, we were presented with an extremely intriguing app called Seek that allows us to find out the names and different species of plants and animals, as well as a pamphlet filled with different types of butterflies and ladybugs. We then got the Seek app ready and went out to explore the park. The Seek app takes a picture of an animal or plant, then identifies it and tells you what species the animal is. It is also useful because it collects data that scientists will be able to use.
“We caught many insects like ladybugs, wasps, bees, butterflies…”
We then left the building to go outside and find as many bugs, interesting plants, and insects as possible. We first went to the basketball court, which had many overgrown weeds, nettles, and plants. Andy informed us that the overgrown vegetation makes a perfect habitat for small insects and unique flowers. We eventually witnessed this as we found a small white butterfly using the surroundings for pollination, which helps revive and replenish the ecosystem. We caught many insects, like ladybugs, wasps, bees, butterflies, and snails, but they were dead, as were grasshoppers. We also found a squirrel, but it was too fast for us to take a picture of it. A fun fact that I learnt was that butterflies lay their eggs on stinging nettles.
We then explored some bushes surrounding the basketball court. One of us screamed in joy when she realised that we had discovered a new species on the app, and it was called a large bindweed. This flower was white and bloomed on top of nettles as a way of signifying that the nettles wouldn’t sting and were safe for animals to consume. I found seven new species, including a great Willowherb, Small White, Mossy Rose Gall Wasp and many more!
“At the top, we saw an amazing view, and there was a bench on which we sat whilst gazing into the distance.”
After spotting different insects, flowers, and birds, we stumbled across a pathway leading up a hill and decided to go up there. We then walked for a very long time until we reached the top of the hill, which provided shelter and the perfect environment for insects to thrive. The hill was steep, and the path was rocky, making it a strenuous workout to come up the hill; however, this was eventually worth it as the view at the top was sublime.
I spotted a moth, but it wasn’t a normal moth. It was a light-brown apple moth, and we saw the best view ever. We saw a beautiful view of a large farm with haystacks and hay rolls; it was a vast view of golden haystacks rolled out to smooth sheets stretching out for as long as my eyes could see. At the top, we saw an amazing view, and there was a bench on which we sat while gazing into the distance. We also shook a tree onto a large piece of cloth, and many tiny bugs fell out! We enjoyed this view on a bench used for a good rest before returning down the hill.
“The best thing that I did was make the picture. This is because it was the first time I used a drill.”
Back at the Pavilion, we drew our favourite flowers and insects on a wooden cookie (a piece of chopped wood), which we sanded down with sandpaper and then screwed onto a plank of wood with a drill (with the assistance of Andy). The plank of wood is now a collage of our amazing drawings.
“My favourite part of the day was the nature walk, as I discovered new species and spent time outside.”
Today, I learnt that many times in life, we must step outside of our comfort zones and try different things; for example, I tried new vegetables and different salad styles today, and in terms of the nature walk, I used new equipment. I did engage in more nature-related activities, which I normally do not do.
Overall, I really enjoyed today, as it was new and exciting. It was a wonderful experience, and I learnt I should get out of my comfort zone much more. I also learnt that nature is very therapeutic, and I want to explore it more. I now appreciated nature much more and felt very relaxed.
Yours sincerely,
Aaliyah, Maryam, AbdulZahir, Muhammad, Aalimah, Hameedah, Adam, Maymunah, and Aliyah.
Edited by AbdulGhaniy Otukogbe
©BGMCA Madrasa 2023.
biltongrangemc@gmail.com
