Letterboxing Fun

On May 12th, NKOA had fun searching for a Letterbox filled with trinkets that their leaders placed in Pettengill Woods in Auburn. Each child brought along a trinket to exchange. Our members and their parents had to find our treasure by using a clue filled poem (Thank you Tamra for your creative use of words!).

After our first Letterboxing experience we have since learned from more experienced Letterboxers that we made a few gaffes. First, we used a coffee can instead of a waterproof container. So we will need to exchange that metal can for a tight-sealing Tupperwear. Second, we did not leave a stamp in our Letterbox. A Letterbox should contain a stamp that represents us. Since we are a nature-based group we should have a stamp that reflects that. I believe that someone took pity on us and left a stamp for people to use. But we need to get to work either designing our own or will need to purchase one that reflects what we are about. We should also have a stamp pad in our Letterbox too. But since it was our first time we didn't do too bad if more experienced Letterboxers found it, right?

After scouring online to find a tutorial to show the process here is the best one that YouTube has about Letterboxing:



Also, if you want to design your own stamp here is a tutorial about that:


If you are looking for something fun to do this summer, please check out NKOA's Letterbox!

Barker Mill Trail Cleanup

On May 5th several of our families got together to clean up the Barker Mill Trail in Auburn. The children and their parents clipped prickly bramble, picked up trash, raked, and had fun discovering the bulky waste on the hill beside the trail. Two unusual finds were a reclining chair and a boxing bag!

This was NKOA's second time cleaning up this very underused and undermaintained trail. We were able to get a little further down the trail this time, however we did discover it gets pretty murky in some areas. Eventually we hope to discover where this ellusive trail leads to, as we have yet been able to get very far down due to the overgrowth. But for now we are pretty proud of our efforts!

Despite the trash and brambles we all enjoyed the way the sun sparkled on the Little Androscoggin and the sounds of both the birds and the falls. It was a good day!

If you are looking for a community service project contact the L/A Trails System and tell them you would like to help clean up the Barker Mill Trail.

Coming in the Fall a Science and Technology 4-H Club

In the fall look for a new Science and Technology 4-H Club. This club will include Legos, Lego Robotics, 4-H's Power of the Wind Curriculum, and many other science topics. This will be a collaborative effort, and will be a seperate club from NKOA 4-H. Please let us know your thoughts and ideas! Thank you, Valerie and Tamra

Joining NKOA

If you have a child 5+ years and are interested in joining NKOA 4-H we will be accepting new members in the Fall. As of right now we are full to capacity. If you would like your name included on a waiting list or for more information please contact Valerie vkettelhut@aol.com or Tamra tamra_hartley@yahoo.com . Thank you for your support!

1st Annual Family Nature Day 2010

Mark your calendars...

1st Annual Nature Day 2010

September 11th, 2010 (raindate September 18th)

at Beaver Park in Lisbon

Come enjoy nature with your other 4-Hers in Androscoggin and Sagadahoc county!

This will be a family-friendly event!

If you have any suggestions please let us know?

Visions for the Future: A Nature Playground

Imagine a forested spot in Androscoggin County where children and their parents could go to play. Imagine if you will a playground in a natural setting, but not a playground you would typically see at a school or inner city playground. Picture a ropes course, shelters made out of pine boughs and limbs, climbing structures made out of wood, rope swings, maybe a sandbox, trees to climb and areas to explore nature. Maybe there would be benches to sit on and some picnic tables to lunch at. A place where parent's could take their children to be in nature. This is a dream that I would like to see NKOA make a reality! So I just entered us into the Clifford BE Big in Your Community Contest for a chance to win a $25,000 grant. Let's keep our fingers crossed that come August 16, 2010 we will be a potential winner!

If we would like to send in any supplementary material to accompany our submission we can send in drawings, pictures and other items. If would be great to get some pictures from the kids with their ideas.

NKOA would also love to hear your ideas for this project!

Beaver Park Fishing Derby

Does your child love to fish? Here is a great local event that your child will love!

24th Annual Beaver Park Fishing Derby

May 2, 2010

8:30am-11am

Middle Pond at Beaver Park, Lisbon (Park is located at Cotton Rd and Pinewoods Rd)

All participants must be 15 years old or younger and parents must accompany the children.

Parents who will be helping small children fish do need a valid fishing license.

Registration for the derby will be the morning of May 2nd between 8:30-9:30am and the event is free of charge.

Prizes will be awarded.

FMI: Verla Brooks, Park Ranger

353-9075