Swamp Fun

The past two weekends we have enjoyed programs at Congaree National Park.  First the boys and I attended a "Scatology" program, where we learned to identify different types of animal scat (i.e., poop); learned about the different animals living in the park and what they eat (and what that looks like in the scat); read the book "Everyone Poops"; watched a funny puppet show about animal scat, as performed by Ranger Becky; made our own animal scat, using modeling clay and other materials to mimic the stuff in real scat; and took a short hike with Ranger Becky to look for evidence of animal activity.  The boys LOVED this program, especially Milo.  Here's the refrain from the puppet show, in case you need something catchy to hum all day long:  "It starts with an S and ends with a T.  It comes out of you and it comes out of me.  I know what you're thinking, but we don't call it that.  Be scientific, call it SCAT!" 

Last Saturday the whole family visited Congaree National Park for its Congaree Campfire Chronicles, which involved a ranger guided tour through the swamp, at night, to see reenactors depict different time periods in the park's history (much of which pre-dated its establishment as a national park).  As we walked the boardwalk from site to site, Ranger Justin gave us the historical background of what we were going to observe.  The highlights were Native Americans from the Catawba tribe, runaway slaves, militia men camping out on a campaign during the Revolutionary War, moonshiners, loggers, and present-day rangers conducting research in the park.  At the end of our two hour hike, we enjoyed a campfire and roasted marshmallows compliments of the rangers.  It was a lovely evening.  At the time Milo showed a lot of interest in the reenactors and our ranger guide, as well as walking around the swamp in pitch dark!  Obviously Calder enjoyed it too.  On Sunday he dressed up as a ranger (note the hat and backpack) and led me on a hike around our backyard, pointing out the animals and plants.  What fun!