My Favorite Trip

My favorite trip was to Canadice Lake when we went canoeing. It was my favorite because you learned how to canoe. Christine helped me in the canoe. We stopped for lunch and looked at the sedimentary rocks on the shore. They made good skipping stones. I had a lot of fun!!

Rachael

Field Trips

Water World Science Camp was so much fun! We went on so many field trips. The first field trip we went on was at Taughonnock Falls. We went on a hike and went swimming in the lake. On the hike, there were so many great sights to see. We also went into the stream to catch creatures living there. Our second field trip was at the Finger Lakes National Forest. We went their to catch frogs in the pond. We caught many other things too. Our last field trip which was my FAVORITE was canoeing. We went canoeing at Canadice lake and that was the most beautiful lake I have ever seen. It was so much fun riding back because it was really windy and the waves were going crazy! I am really glad that I went to Water World Science Camp.

-Michelle

Canoe Trip Canadice Lake

Today was a really cool day. We took a trip to Canadice Lake. There we met Bob and Jim our new teachers! We were going to be learning to canoe! When we got there we picked out a canoe and a partner. After learning some tips we set out on our journey. At first it was pretty hard but we soon got the hang of it. About two hours later we stopped for lunch. The tuna fish wraps filled our growling stomachs. Then Sam gave everyone a rock skipping lesson. We found a mystery gall and a dragonfly nymph case. When we decided it was time to leave we got back in our canoes and started to row out. But the wind had picked up and it was a lot harder. Many people got pushed to shore and one team even had to be towed by Bob and Lucas. When we finally got back to shore we were all soaked. After that we stopped for ice-cream and headed back for the institute. It was a very fun day.

Last Day July, Friday 13th 2007

Today is the last day of Water Worlds Camp. We had to say goodbye to Sam and Christine early because they had other things to do. Today we made fish prints on T-shirts, we looked at aquatic plants and other things we found at Canadice Lake under the microscope. We also helped the FLI scientists sort out their samples of mussels they collected from Seneca Lake. What fun we have had all week!!

Sheila - counselor

Today is the last day of water worlds. I have had a lot of fun going on our feild trips to 2 new places I have never been before (fingerlakes national forest and Canadice lake). At Canadice lake I went cannoeing for the second time. I thought these were great instructers and were very useful. They taught me the real way to canoe, not the way I was tought how to do before. I geass you really need to take sometime to learn how to do it right. Water worlds should stay and have the same instructers but have different things to learn about, but still involve water.



Liam Wilber

last day activities

On the last day when Sam wasn't here we had a great time. We made t-shirts with fish prints. We also sorted zebra mussles and quagga mussels. We ate lunch at the saga. We also swam in the bristol gym pool.

Lucas Reisch

Water Worlds camp is Awesome!

Hi,
My name is Madison and I am having so much fun at the Water Worlds! camp.
The First day of camp we played a bunch of neat games. First we had to classify different shells found in the lake. Then we had to pick a shell and feel it. After that we closed our eyes and passed the shells around and tried to guess which shell was ours by feeling it. That game didn't go to well because we saw who had our shell before hand. The next game we played was called "The Incredible Journey". We pretended we were water molecules and we had a pipe cleaner and we went to different stations. Each station was a place water can be found. I got stuck at the ocean a lot. The next thing we did was we went down to the boat house and collected plankton. We looked at the plankton under microscopes. We learned the names of some of them and tried to find them under the microscope. It was amazing what people don't know is in the water.
The second day of camp we took a trip to Taughannock Falls. It was really hot that day but we got cooled of in the water. We went under a bridge and found a ton of aquatic creatures. Then we walked up the stream to the falls. They used to be really big but over time they got smaller. I learned that Taughannock means full of trees.
The third day of camp was really fun. We went to a big pond in the Finger Lakes national forest. We caught a bunch of frogs and tadpoles. I caught a HUGE tadpole! As soon as we left it started to rain. Good thing we made it back in time for the huge thunder storm. I am really enjoying camp so far and I can't wait until tomorrow!

Third Day Recap

We started the morning at the Finger Lakes Institute. The students observed aquatic macroinvertebrates from a creek in Skaneateles. The students used field guides to learn about how the organisms eat, breathe and hide from predators. They drew pictures of their favorite organism in their field journals.

Next, we played a game called "Create a Critter." The game involved picking one card from five piles and on the cards were different physiological and behavioral characteristics typical of aquatic macroinvertebrate organisms. Students had to create their own unique critter which met all of the characteristics on their cards. Rachael made an Armapoison Groundbug, Stephanie made a Food Fish, Madison made a Stick Paddler, Lucas made a Flying Devil, Liam made a Friendly Flying Water Insect, Mackenzie made a Bubble Paddler and Danika made a Blind Arma-bug.

We piled into the vans and drove to Hector, New York to visit Potomoc Pond in the Finger Lakes National Forest. Each student had their own net and tried to catch as many aquatic critters as they could. We caught many frogs in each metamorphic stage, from tadpoles to frogs with their tadpole tails to adult frogs. We also caught water scropions, cray fish, water boatmen, whirligigs, minnows, water striders, minnows, dragon fly larvae, damselfly larvae and stonefly larvae (among others).

Great Time

I have been having a great time at water worlds. My counselors are great making it exciting to be here. All our Field trips have been great (and there has only been 1). I hope Water Worlds is here to stay.

Liam Wilber

Awesome Counselors

Our counselors are great! Christine and Sheila [and Sam,] come up with some really cool things to do. Today before we left we got to design our own bugs by using different characteristics.

-Hannah

Second Day Recap

On this blistering hot day, we ventured to Ithaca to visit Taughannock Falls. First, we waded up Taughannock Creek and used small nets to catch aquatic macroinvertebrates. We found crayfish, a dock spider, caddisfly nymphs, adult stoneflies, stonefly nymphs, minnows, snails and more. The students enjoyed catching critters with their nets. The water cooled us off too!

Next we hiked the Gorge Trail to Taughannock Falls. We walked through ankle-high water on an old riverbed to the falls. We made it to Taughannock Falls and enjoyed the spectacular view of the gorge from the bottom. We hurried back to the state park, eager for lunch, cold drinks and swimming.

First Day Recap

Today was the first day of Water Worlds! In the morning, we played a shell classification game to become familiar with identifying natural objects. They learned about dichotomous keys, a method of classifying natural objects often used in field guides. The students grouped the shells together according to texture, shape and color and created their own dichotomous key by making questions to narrow down the shells into unique groups.


Next, students pretended to be water molecules in a game called "The Incredible Journey." Students visited 9 different stations representing all of the places on earth where water can be found. At each station, students placed a colored bead onto a pipe cleaner so that later, they could remember the order of each station visited. Students had to roll a dice to determine their next destination. The student water-molecules often got "stuck" at the ocean station, but this taught students how hard it is for a single-water molecule to evaporate and leave the ocean.

Much to our surprise, we were stuck inside the Finger Lakes Institute because of two black bears on the HWS campus. The colleges provided us with a van so we wouldn't have to walk across campus for lunch. Read more about today's bear sightings: http://www.hws.edu/news/update/showrelease.asp?id=27281



After lunch, HWS Professor Megan Brown taught the students about phytoplankton and zooplankton. We walked to the Bozzuto Boathouse on the Seneca Lake Shore and conducted plankton tows. The students used the same equipment as Professor Brown in her plankton research. Students also recorded the temperature of the lake: 38 degree Celcius in the sun and 25 degrees Celcius in the shade.



















Most of the students wanted to jump in the water because it was so hot outside, but instead we went back to the plankton lab at the Finger Lakes Institute to look at the plankton they caught. Professor Brown described the different types of plankton to the students. She brought in her own samples of plankton collected from the middle of Seneca Lake late at night to show the student types of plankton they wouldnt see off the shore of the lake. Students enjoyed seeing the microscopic critters under the microscopes.
















Students are keeping nature journals in which to document the things they learn about water. Students shared their entries and pictures with each other. I hope to post some of their entries on the blog, so stay tuned!

Lake Scenes

The lake is smooth and silent, though ripples of waves erupt it every once in a while. Endless shadows that cast over the water dance about. I want to dive in and let the coolness take over my body. The tide is soothing, with it's shushing sound. Now, as I look over the water, I can see boats in the distant. I am longing to get in and explore it's satisfying features.







-Hannah
Water Worlds Science Camp Student

Michelle

Hi,
My name is Michelle and Water World Science Camp is really fun. Today we played some pretty cool games. One game that we played was where we had to pretend that we were water molecules and we had to go to these different stations. Another game we played was where we formed a circle and had to close our eyes and pass around shells. We had to guess which shell was whose.

-Michelle

The Day of the Bear

We have been told not to leave the building because there is a black bear on campus!! Help! We are hungry!!!!

Sheila
Camp Counselor

Hannah

Hi,
I'm Hannah and the Water Worlds Science Camp is really cool. On Monday we learned about seashells and water molecules. We played a game where we had to feel shells and then guess which shell was ours. I will definitely come to this camp again!!


*Hannah*

Hannah, the water molecule, at the lake station during "The Incredible Journey" game

Rachael

Hi,
My name is Rachael.I have been here for one day now and it has been so cool!! We played so many fun games & I am looking forward to the next day of Water Worlds Science Camp!

Stephanie

Hi,I'm Stephanie and i am doing Science Water Camp it is so FUN everyone should do science water camp. I can't wait to see what is planed for the rest of the week,I hope they do it next year. I hope next year more people do water science Camp.

Mackenzie

Hi
I am MacKenzie it is so fun at Water Science Camp .
We do alot of FUN stuff like games about Water Science .
I can't wait to come back the rest of the week .

Reminders!

- The meeting place for this camp is Eaton Hall, room 111. Parents can park in the College Store's parking lot on St. Clair Street. Walk in front of the store and cross the street. Stay on the path from the crosswalk, and it will lead you between two buildings. Walk past the benches and follow the path around the building (refer to picture). There will be an overpass between two buildings and a courtyard. Walk up the staircase to enter the building on your left. This is Eaton Hall. Don't walk under the overpass, or else you've gone too far! Christine and/or Sheila wearing light blue T-shirts will be waiting for you in room 111. This will be our meeting area each morning and from there, we will walk the students to the Finger Lakes Institute.

- Activities for Water Worlds! are scheduled to end between 3-3:30 each day. At that time, students will join the Kid's College campers for swimming in the HWS Bristol Gym Pool until 5:00 each day. Parents may pick their children up at any time between 4:00 and 5:00 at Bristol Gym. Parents may park in the Medbury visitors parking lot on Pulteney Street. After you've parked, cross Pulteney Street and walk between the Scandling Center and the Library. This path will lead you to Bristol Gym. As you continue walking, soccer fields will be on your right. Bristol Gym will be ahead on your left (picture). Walk up the stairs into the building and then walk up the first flight of stairs inside the building. Follow the signs to get to the Bristol gym pool.

-Remember to bring snacks and a water bottle with you to camp each day. Also, on field trip days (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday), you should wear old sneakers and clothes you won't mind getting dirty. We will have extra sunscreen and bug spray, but you might also want to bring your own or put some on before camp. Don't forget a hat and sunglasses too!

- On Friday July 13, please bring a white or light-colored T-shirt to decorate. It doesn't have to be a new shirt, but one that you wouldn't mind painting on.

For questions, contact:

- Sheila (after July 5), phone: 315-781-4380, email: smyers@hws.edu

- Christine, email: cm5433@hws.edu

- Conferences and Events (summer camps) office, phone 315-781-3103

Campus map: http://www.hws.edu/about/campusmap/index.asp

We are looking forward to meeting you on Monday!

News Release

The "Water Worlds!" Summer Science in Action camp was featured in an article on the Hobart and William Smith Colleges Daily Update page.
Read the article: http://www.hws.edu/news/update/showrelease.asp?id=27203

Taughannock Falls

Today we visited Taughannock Falls State Park in Ithaca, New York to see what the park offers for the campers. We hiked the Northern Rim Trail and enjoyed picture-perfect views of Taughannock Falls. On our field trip during Water Worlds! we will teach the campers about the water's role in creating gorges. We are certain this field trip will excite the campers about the power of water!

Canadice Lake

Today we checked out Canadice Lake for our planned field trip on day 3 of the Water Worlds! camp. The lake provides a perfect example of an undeveloped lake shore. There were hardly any houses in sight, unlike here on Seneca Lake where there are lots of buildings and houses surrounding the lake. We walked along the historic Canadice Lake Trail to find paths down to the lake shore where the campers will be able to take a snack break and look for aquatic macroinvertebrates. We saw lots of insects and butterflies along the trail and we think the campers will enjoy identifying these critters with field guides and writing about them in their nature journals. We aren't able to swim in Canadice Lake due to regulations by the city of Rochester, but we expect the campers will still be able to appreciate the tranquil beauty of this Finger Lake. (Pictures by Sarah Myer)

Excited about Water Worlds:

"I picked the Water Worlds! camp because it sounded fun and I enjoy learning about science. I am interested in learning how to collect data and analyze the results of the information. I would also like to learn more about the Finger Lakes environment." - Hannah, age 11, Geneva

"I want to learn more about water. It is the most important thing in the world. Humans have to really start caring for the water around us or we will not survive into the future. I would like to learn about the history of the waters we have in our Finger Lakes and what is in the water in Seneca Lake." - Liam, age 11, Geneva

"As soon as I saw the article for the Water Worlds! camps I knew it would be perfect for me. It had everything I loved: science, nature, research and water. I hope to be a marine biolgist when I'm an adult. I think this camp will teach me a lot about water." - Madison, age 11, Seneca Falls

"I picked the water camp because I love the water and I want to learn more about saving the environment and the waters. We have learned a lot about the environment in school and I would like to learn more." - Stephanie, age 11, Geneva

"I enjoy nature with my family. We camp and hike in the Finger Lakes and Adirondacks. We watch nature on Seneca Lake. I hope to be a marine biologist or a veterinarian someday. I hope that this camp would be fun and help me think about my future." - Bryna, age 12, Geneva

"I love animals, especially birds and fish! I also love math and science (my specialities!) I would like to learn about native fish and science!" - Danika, age 11, Seneca Falls

Water Worlds! Schedule

Day 1 – Monday, July 9
9:00 – 11:30
- Welcome and introduction to water activities at Finger Lakes Institute
11:45 – 12:15
- Lunch on HWS campus
12:30 – 3:00
- On campus field trip to Seneca Lake shore
- Finger Lakes Institute Lab
3:00 – 4:00
- Swimming in HWS Bristol Gym pool

Day 2 – Tuesday, July 10
9:00 – 3:00
- Field trip to Finger Lakes National Forest
3:00 – 4:00
- Swimming in HWS Bristol Gym pool

Day 3 – Wednesday, July 11
9:00 – 3:00
- Field trip to Canadice Lake

3:00 – 4:00
- Swimming at Sandy Bottom Beach at Honeyoe Lake

Day 4 – Thursday, July 12
9:00 – 3:00
- Field trip to Cayuga Nature Center and Taughannock Falls
3:00 – 4:00
- Swimming in Cayuga Lake

Day 5 - Friday July 13

9:00-3:00

- HWS campus and Finger Lakes Institute for wrap up activities and games

- Lunch on Campus

3:00-4:00

- Swimming in Seneca Lake