If you love us
as much as we love you...
Yelp! about it.
And thanks in advance!
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We made friends
with mantises at
Mantis Mania
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Shop at Amazon.com and support Sarah's Science scholarship program. All purchases made at Amazon.com through the above link will generate 4%-10% referral fees, which will be used by Sarah's Science to provide scholarships to children who would otherwise be unable to attend our programs. Thank you.
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Greetings!
Greetings!
I am back and rested after a highly enjoyable vacation with my sister. We were bird watching and studying with esteemed naturalist Bob Stewart along the Kern River. Now we are gearing up for another fun year of This Land Is Your Land Summer Day Camp.
Bird watching along the Kern River.
Enrollments
for This Land Is Your Land Summer Day Camp continue to pour in, so I
encourage you to check your summer schedule and book your camp weeks as
soon as possible. Remember, you save $15/week off the walk-in rate if
you register in advance.
For those parents who have already reserved a space, but have not yet chosen their weeks, please let us know as soon as possible which weeks you would like.
Full payments are due on or before May 15, 2009.
We had a fantastic time during our March 14, 2009 Mother / Daughter Science Program in Oakland.
We explored electrical engineering by making light-up fairies with the girls. After lunch I got together with all the mothers to brainstorm about ways to get girls interested in science and technology. I want all girls to love science as much as I do.
Mothers & Daughters building their own light-up fairies.
Mantis Mania was blast!
 
We learned all about how to raise mantids from egg cases and so much more about the fascinating science around one of my favorite insects. If you missed the event this year, don't worry, we hold Mantis Mania every Spring. We'll see you next year!
During Spring Camp this year we explored one of California's oldest, most unique and exquisite treasures: the redwood forest. We had great success despite the rain or, more likely, because of it! The rain brought out the newts, banana slugs and worms making the whole experience more lively.
Spring Camp 2009 in the Redwoods!
We look forward to seeing you all at summer camp this year. We will continue to enjoy nature and learn about science.
Happy Summer,
Sarah
Photo of Sarah courtesy of SF Chronicle
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 At our summer camp we blend the exciting science and nature studies developed
by Sarah Shaffer with art, music, hiking, swimming, and outdoor games.
Our goal is for every child to have a summer filled with outrageous fun
in a beautiful, natural setting. We say, "No child left indoors!"
Early positive experiences in nature help develop a lifelong love and
caring for the natural world. The weird and wonderful world of
nature provides a great way to "hook" kids on science. Hands-on
science projects and art activities connect children to the natural world,
increasing environmental awareness and instilling a deep caring attitude
about our world.
Please see the summer camp section on our website for information on the Weekly Themes and Project Highlights.
Oakland Location: Roberts Regional ParkDates: June 15 - August 28, 2009
Hours: 9:00
am - 3:00 pm;
Extended care available
8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Ages: 5-15
Cost: $310/week if you register ahead of time.
$325/week walk-in rate.See Registration Form for information
on discounts.
Berkeley Location: Tilden Regional ParkDates: June 15 - August 28, 2009
Hours: 9:00
am - 3:00 pm;
Extended care available
8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Ages: 5-15
Cost: $310/week if you register ahead of time.
$325/week walk-in rate.See Registration Form for information
on discounts.
San Ramon Location:Little Hills RanchDates: June 29 - August 21, 2009 (no camp July 13 - 17)
Hours: 9:00 am - -3:00 pm;
Extended care available 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Ages:5-15Cost: $310/week if you register ahead of time.
$325/week walk-in rate.See Registration Form for information
on discounts.
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Featured Books
 How Do Birds Find Their Way?
By by Roma Gans & Paul Mirocha
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (January 18, 1996)
Available from Amazon.com
Good question. Most birds have yet to discover the Google Earth app on their iPhones and this wonderfully illustrated book tells kids some interesting facts about their
instinctive ability to get where there going. Kids learn about
migration patterns and suggests some theories about how birds
know both when and where to fly each year. Illustrations, maps and charts, as well as the easy and informative text, explore some of the lingering mysteries of bird migration. Many varieties of birds are shown in the book and all are well labeled, allowing children to also use it as a beginner bird guide.
Watching Water Birds
By Jim Arnosky
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (April 1, 2002)
Available from Amazon.com
This book uses personal observations and magnificent up-close views of these
water wizards as they wade, dive, swim, or fly. Life-sized paintings
show the birds' true colors in this introduction to the joys of
watching wildlife.
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Cool Links
Birds of Lake Elizabeth
 Lake Elizabeth at Central Park in Fremont, CA is the center of outdoor activity in the city. The park includes playgrounds, boating, soccer and softball fields, a newly completed water park... and some of the best bird watching in the East Bay!
Sharp eyes will spot all kinds of feathered friends around the lake. Look for the Black-crowned Night Heron, Western Grebe, Bufflehead, American Kestrel and Yellow Warbler among many, many others. This website is maintained by a local Fremont resident and has become a treasure trove of birds -- all spotted at the lake. The list is always growing.
The park can be reached by taking Interstate 880 south from Oakland and exiting North on Stevenson Blvd. or via BART to the Fremont station and then walking South for two short blocks on Civic Center Drive. See map link here.
 The
East Bay Depot for Creative ReUse
is a nonprofit corporation located at 4695 Telegraph Ave in Oakland's Temescal neighborhood. The depot wants people to rethink trash and reuse materials.
Why create more landfill when you could create a lamp shade from old photo slides?
Since the early '80s, the Depot has been promoting solid waste diversion
and resource conservation by collecting and redistributing reusable materials
for education, arts & crafts, and a wide variety of other creative
projects. The Depot is active in the community and often gives talks about the importance of waste
reduction, recycling, and reusable materials through a school-based environmental
education curriculum. In the Depot Store they display many creative
reuse projects that have been developed by their staff, customers, and local
artisans. Check it out, get creative and keep something out of your local landfill.
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