Summer Camp 2021

by Cara Davenport, Education Manager

It was a full summer (8 weeks, to be exact) of hiking, exploring, and playing in the nooks and crannies of Merck Forest’s woods, fields, ponds, and streams. Not only did we welcome over 60 campers to MFFC for a summer camp experience, we also had the support of two new camp counselors, Bella and Ali, who were a fantastic addition to our summer camp team. Who came to camp? Where were we? What did we do and see? Here are some of the highlights from this summer:

Farm-focused camps (Barnyard & Beyond Camp, Ag Camp): Our younger and older cohorts each spent their week learning about chickens, horses, sheep, and all the other animals that have their homes on or near the farm. Our boots carried us from the edges of the pond, to the chicken coop, to the blueberry patch, and to the fields where the sheep munched away on fresh grass. We explored the fringes of the farm and the nearby ecosystems, checked out soil, captured and observed insects in Merck’s pollinator habitat, and learned about seeds in the fields and the forest. In our “Camp Census” of all the living organisms we saw during the week, we recorded 38 plants and animals.

Water-focused camps (Dragonflies & Cattails Camp, Aqua Camp): Exploring the ponds, streams, and watersheds of Merck Forest was how we spent our time during these two camps. We observed the water cycle in action in the woods, discovered a red-winged blackbird nest perched in the willows on the bank of a pond, caught slippery salamanders, googly-eyed water scorpions, and colorful frogs, peered into puddles, and explored the two different routes to the Atlantic Ocean that a raindrop falling onto Merck Forest might take.

Forest-focused camps (Woods & Wildlife Camp, Wilderness Camp): Younger and older cohorts alike spent the week down at our Yurt on the Discovery Trail, exploring the abundant mushroom varieties scattered throughout the woods as well as plenty of other interesting wildlife. We constructed forts and elf houses, played Camouflage and other forest games, hiked the trails, and learned outdoor skills and strategies for staying safe in the woods. At our “Stump Seat Circle” behind the Yurt, where we ate lunch each day, we were kept company by daddy long legs, caterpillars and chipmunks; they also joined us at our Thursday campfire and s’mores-making session!

Trail Crew camps:

Our 7th and 8th grade trail crews spent their time doing team-building games, learning outdoor skills, and working on various land management projects. We removed invasive species like Bush Honeysuckle and Garlic Mustard, cleared trails, learned about managing forests and created brush piles for wildlife, and worked alongside two Vermont Youth Conservation Corps leaders to build a new access trail to the Burke trail loop. For two weeks kids in yellow hard hats hiked around Merck Forest learning, laughing, and improving the trails and land as they went. Check out the new Burke connector trail and follow it to the Burke Loop Trail the next time you visit and are looking for an interesting and short (under an hour) hike!

We are grateful to all the people who made these camps possible this summer – all the parents and campers, our counselors Bella and Ali, the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps leaders, and the staff at Merck Forest who supported camp behind the scenes in so many ways. We’re looking forward to the next season of camp in 2022!

Congratulations Dylan Durkee for winning 2nd Place in The My Wood-Mizer Project Contest (Exterior Projects)!

“Merck Forest has 3,200 acres of forest. The organization wanted me to build this small structure for an entrance to lead into the property. The goal was to have a structure that would draw attention to the organic beauty of Merck Forest. Prior to starting the project, I prayed that the Lord would give me a vision and bring the right timbers across my path so that I could build a unique structure that would represent the beauty of Merck Forest. Seeing the standing trees turn into a structure, on the same property, is very unique and satisfying. The ability to do that with my Wood-Mizer mill is incredible, I am always taken away by how cool that is.” – Dylan Durkee