This is Gillian’s second year as an American Heritage Girl. This year she gets to wear a “real uniform” and is having fun earning her badges. I have to say, now that I am understanding everything a little better, I am enjoying it a lot more . It has been a blessing to work with Gillian on earning new badges and to watch her blossom into a wonderful little girl.
Releasing a bird
This weekend we had the privilege to go on a field trip with our pack. All the girls (all ages) were working on their Nature & Wildlife badges. Each age group/level obviously had different things they needed to accomplish to earn their badge, Gillian’s group – the 1st grade Tenderhearts – had some really fun lessons at the educational ranch at Chico Basin.
Wilson Warbler
We started the day, learning & watching how birds are captured, banded, released and tracked. We learned about their migration patterns and what the different kinds of birds eat based on their beaks. Later we drove to the main part of the ranch and got to break for lunch. After lunch, we broke into even smaller groups and got to see the chickens and hens, the kids got to look into their house and see if any eggs had been laid (only one had), after that the kids got to see and hold new baby chicks, this was probably high on the list of favorites.
However, I would have to say that the number one favorite for my little girl was meeting Carrot. Carrot is a beautiful golden Palamino horse. Carrot was so gentle and appeared to really like Gillian and was nuzzling up to her face.
Gillian & Carrot
After visiting with the animals the older AHG’s had a surprise for the younger girls. The older girls made Nature Journals for them to use on the nature hike they were about to go on.
The nature walk took us around a pond, they learned about different plants that were growing their, they learned about ants and why they make their big ant hills and how beneficial they are to the trees and plants around them. We “got” to see a HUGE & horribly ugly spider (ewwww) before heading back to the main area. Many of the kids got a kick out of collecting bones around the area and took home their little trophy’s of the day.
I am so glad that Gillian had this experience together, she made me very proud to be her momma.
Gillian holding a baby chick
WOW! I’m so glad you shared about this wonderful day. I love that Gillian’s group in AHG is called the Tenderhearts… that so exemplifies Gillian and her tender heart.
Chico Basin sounds like a really neat place! That photo of the Wilson Warbler is really cute! And that horse looks like he/she wants Gillian to take him home with her! Sounds like a really neat and wonderful experience for the girls – as well as their mommas 
Gillian is certainly a special girl – just like her mom. Looking forward to hearing about more experiences and badges for Gilli in AHG.