Camp Tecumseh has two pioneer settlements (River and Lake) on site that are used to host many schools participating in the Pioneer Heritage program.  This is a hands on program that brings the Indiana History taught at school, to life as they experience what it might have been like in the year 1811.

During their trip students attend a session about Log Cabin Building. This session highlights the different  kinds of buildings that pioneers built, giving ample supervised opportunity for students to have a go at using the tools that were used in the building process back then. Tools such as the draw knife to peel the bark off the fallen logs and the two person saw to cut to the desired length, are both favorites for them.

Time is also set aside to discuss Native American housing. Almost all students know about the Tipi (which Camp T has had on show for many years now), but a much smaller percentage of students know much about the Wigwam and how it differs.  We have tried to educate about this through pictures in the past, but … you can do that in the classroom right? So to really educate about it and bring it alive, we all decided that we needed to build one for the students, so that they can actually experience the difference.

This being said, Keith “Kilimanjaro” Kalish and Luke “Llama” Ulrich have donned the pioneer clothes and sharpened the pioneer tools once again to try and make this idea into a reality for thousands of students this coming year.  The first wigwam for the River Village settlement has been finished, with the Lake Village slotted to be done before our first group arrives in March.

Not only will this be an educational addition, but it will also serve as a functional shelter for the students should the weather turn south on us.

Tipi’s were mostly used by the native Americans of the great plains. The ease of construction and transportation made it perfect for their more nomadic lifestyle.

Wigwams were used as a more permanent type of housing, which suited the Indiana woodland environment more.

Wildlife is abundant year round at camp, but one of the best seasons to see a lot is the winter. The snow coupled with the absence of leaves on trees makes it (somewhat ironically) come to life for the observer.

The bird feeders are packed all day long with many different types of birds like Cardinals, Woodpeckers, Nuthatch’s, Blue Jays and the odd squirrel (not a bird) hogging the food. Bald Eagles are frequently seen fishing on the Tippecanoe from the back deck of River Lodge. White Tailed Deer can be seen in large numbers crossing main field and through the lake village loop.

Some of our favorites to see though are the River Otters who scurry and swim around the river banks from time to time. Many folks are surprised to hear that we see Otters around here, but they are doing really quite well in this area after their reintroduction to the Tippecanoe in the mid 90’s. Their slinky silhouette and playful behavior make them an unmistakable sight to see.

Being aware of and understanding the wildlife around us is the first step to living alongside it in a responsible manner. It’s a privilege for us to be able to teach people along these lines during their visit.

Hope you enjoy some of the pictures we’ve been able to get as we are out and about.

Camp Tecumseh recently signed on to be a volunteer organization for Hoosier Riverwatch, which is a state-sponsored water quality monitoring initiative.  The Outdoor Education staff is heading up the efforts of recording data taken from our very own Ghost Creek that a lot of guests hike to during their stay.

To determine the quality of the water there are three main areas that we have to test:
1) Habitat – flow, depth, land use, shape, erosion, substrate
2) Chemical – temperature, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, phosphate.
3) Biological – Benthic Macroinvertebrates (animals you can see that don’t have a back bone and live on the bottom).

Our results are then posted on a web database that can be viewed by anyone and provide information for governmental agencies that are working to protect Indiana’s rivers and streams.

The overall rating for Ghost Creek (which is in the Tippecanoe watershed) was very good, which was encouraging to see as camp has invested some money and effort into improving the water quality in the lake and consequently Ghost Creek.

Probably the most fun part for the students…and us, is when we look for as many macroinvertebrates as we can.  Finding these little critters is in itself a good indicator of water quality as many show little tolerance for pollution and findings also reflect the stability and diversity of the larger aquatic food web.  Students from Crawfordsville’s Hoover Elementary helped us with this portion and we were able to tie it in with their Earthship Journey program.

Slide, climb, or just hangout with friends! The Clubhouse is a wonderful new play area near the new Day Camp entrance.  It is situated so it can also be used by campers waiting for trail rides or visiting the mini-farm. Look for it between the Creative Arts Center and River Stables.

Another great part about winter at Camp T is the arrival of the Bald Eagles on the Tippecanoe (had you going for a minute there eh!). Usually in Jan/Feb time there are a number of eagles that arrive as rivers and lakes freeze up in the northern states and Canada.  At the moment we see them daily from the back deck of River Lodge and it is quite a sight to see them swoop down and catch a fish.  Sometimes I think I even hear a turkey off in the woods near chapel shouting  “  ENOCH!!   what do you think you’re doing?”

These are some pictures from last week that were taken off the back deck.

Soaring downstream

This one is developing the characteristic white head and tail, which doesn't happen till 4-5 years old

There have been around 8 different ones sighted on this stretch of the river.

This is a juvenile catching one down towards the mud hike spot.

Calling to each other

Hey, just want to let you know that today is Luciana Miranda’s last day working with us at Camp T. Luciana (a.k.a Luly to most, Lady Bug to School groups and Luly Bagooli to my kids) is heading home to Brazil after 10 months living here away from her family.   It will be sad to see her go as she has become a close member of the Tecumseh family and given a lot of herself in order to have a positive impact on the kids.

Luly has loved her time at camp and all the good friends she’s made and groups she has worked with. She also commented that not only has her English improved tremendously, but that she has learned so much more about herself and matured greatly as a person.

We wish her God’s blessings on her travels home, her reunion with her family and quest to become an English teacher. Thanks Luly for all you have done, We’re going to miss you!!

Yes, it is only 13 degrees outside, but that’s not stopping school groups from braving the cold to come to Camp T and take part in our winter program, “Christmas in the Colonies”.

Three different schools from Indianapolis and Munster have been to Camp this past week for an overnight trip to build upon their classroom studies of Indiana History and bring it to life a little. Taking them back to life as it was in 1811, each student has the chance to participate in a very “hands-on” manner, experiencing what it was like to be a pioneer in Indiana’s early history.

Making quilt squares, Christmas cookies, Button zingers and corn husk dolls; dipping candles; caring for animals; attending a pioneer schoolhouse; learning to communicate with the Native Americans using sign language; setting trap lines; and hunting for food are the kinds of things that every student gets the chance to experience at our pioneer settlement.

As well as the educational aspect to the trip, the camp staff (Llama, Lady Bug, Kilimanjaro and Turkey) also take the groups on a tractor/wagon ride around the staff housing to sing Christmas carols to the families, which is then followed by a fun campfire program and hot chocolate before bed.

It is always great to see students spending time away from school, strengthening relationships with each other and the teachers/parents in a completely different environment than they are used to.

In the next few weeks leading up to Christmas, there will be a few more schools that will brave the cold to come to camp. It is a blessing to be able to serve groups year round, even in the cold of winter.