Summer Camp Fun

Ebenezer's Explorers are on the go from the moment we gather to sing and cheer at our morning Camp Circle.  After a rousing round of motivational song, we split into groups and head out to get the morning chores done. 

Some head into the garden with Mr. Shaw to gather whatever is ripe.  Even weeds have been making into the kitchen for meals.  Lamb's Quarters which is similar to spinach (and even better) is one of our favorites! 

A particularly creative and enthusiastic group concocted  a wild weed soup and it was very well received by most : )  In addition to the Lamb's Quarters there was red clover, lemon sorrel and  yellow dock.    

On another day a trip to the pond brought back tasty cat tail flowers and bright red wild strawberries. 

Mr. Charlie's group has been taking care of the rabbits, providing them with gifts of fresh flowers to munch on every day, along with lots of welcomed affection.  They also visit and tend to the ducks and the task of rescuing the forlorn and wayfaring Beatrix, our Muscovy Duck who was being picked on by our other ducks.  We don't know what was going on, but they kept chasing her out of the pond and she was looking very bedraggled and dirty.  Now she has her own little pool and fresh water every day, so thing are turning around for her and she's beginning to perk up.  Once she's back to her old self, we'll see if we can get her back where she belongs. 
This group has also been making a nice new tree swing area for all to enjoy. 

Our new healthy cooking group, led by Mrs. Hook has been providing us with very good "good for you" snacks everyday.  We love to hear that old school bell clanging, announcing it's time to come and eat.  We all come running, wash up and find a seat around the big farm table and then wait to be served by our hosts.  The Butternut Squash Birthday cake was delicious!  Various dips and vegetables, fruit platters, cheeses, freshly made pretzels and biscuits have all been well received! 

We had a fruit smoothie taste test, yesterday, and we voted for our favorite out of 3 mixtures, each sweetened with a different natural sweetener of honey, maple syrup or agave nectar.  It was a tough vote - they all were just perfect on a very hot day.
We're also learning how avocados, carrots and blueberries as well as other simple foods actually nourish our bodies.  It seems like a good idea to eat those red peppers when we know they help our wounds heal better!

After the chores, we get a chance to blow off a some steam with water games, pond exploration and boat building.  We are on a mission to discover the best type of boat to float.  We're experimenting with all sorts of materials and constructions - we're going to find out what works and what doesn't!

One of Mr. Charlie's group projects was to construct a life size raft to sail out onto the pond.  The kids were very enthusiastic and committed to the effort.  Everyone gathered to witness the launch of the Great Raft. 

We watched as the logs floated away from each other when the ropes loosened in the water.  The building team scrambled to hold it together and finally abandoned ship, grabbing individual logs to hang on and float around the pond with.  They learned a few things by their first attempt and used the next few days to work and a new and improved raft. 

Again we gathered and watched apprehensively. It started out well.  Out into the pond it went.  It held.  Success!!!!  We could have sold tickets to all who waited their turn impatiently for their excursion on the Great Raft of Ebenezer Farm!

All of the experiences we are having together are connecting us in new ways, building relationships between children and leaders, children and other children, and each of us with the wonder-filled world of nature.  The older children are having the opportunity to help with the younger ones, whether it's playing games, or crafting or putting on shoes.  They are such a help to us, but even more than that, it's heartwarming to see them grow together in this way. 

As a matter of fact, the whole Ebenezer Farm environment is heartwarming for us, day after day after day.  Tiring...(make that exhausting!),  for sure, but so worth every bit of energy. 

Warmly,

Grace and Caleb

June 2010 Information

June 1, 2010


Welcome to Summer Vacation! We are looking forward to spending many wonder-filled days with your children in the upcoming season. Below you will find a few new changes that you need to be aware of.

The first change we have to share with you is regarding a meeting that our staff had with Karrie Kalich, Associate Professor of Health Science, from Keene State College to discuss the present state of nutrition and physical activity levels of the nation’s children. It is fairly common knowledge that the people in our country are in poor health. As you know, we at Ebenezer Farm believe in the value of nutritious, health sustaining, real food, so Karrie invited us to participate in a “Wellness Initative” Program, with a few other Child Care Centers. They were particularly interested in Ebenezer Farm because of our commitment to active outdoor programs, gardening and healthful nutrition. While gardens and farming are not unusual, they happen to be quite unusual for Child Care facilities. Believe it or not, it is also unusual for children to spend much time outdoors in such large spaces! We were happy to take on the challenge proposed to us in working with the College to make a more dedicated effort to promote healthier lifestyles. We hope you will be willing to join with us in this endeavor, even for a trial period, and that you will find that your entire family will benefit from our experiences.

When Ebenezer Farm was first established, it was our desire to provide all of the food for the children who are with us, and we are slowly working toward that. Being inspired by our meeting with Karrie, we decided a good first step would be to take on the morning snacks. We plan to include the children in the enjoyment of preparing healthful foods, and we are expecting this to encourage their enthusiasm. We will choose recipes and snacks that contain no refined sugar, or highly processed ingredients. For sweeteners, we will use natural alternatives such as honey, maple syrup or molasses. The use of sugar can be saved for special occasions with family, at home. In order to make this most successful, we are kindly requesting 100% participation from all of our families, in this new menu style - both with what we provide and what you send in for lunch and afternoon snacks. Therefore, if healthier eating appeals to you, please keep your foods simple. Refrain from the use of prepackaged foods, or read labels and refuse all items with sugar, corn syrup, long lists of preservatives etc. See the attached list for many ideas of good foods to provide. We certainly don’t want to cause any difficulties for you. If your children balk at this idea, perhaps a matter of fact explanation that this is our new policy and a bit of patience will be enough. There may be an adjustment period, depending on their present diet. They will be fine, and they will find there are plenty of good choices that are good for the mind and body!

On June 19th some of our staff will join with Keene State College to discuss our experiences and perspectives at a seminar for other Child Care facilities. If you care to share any personal insights with us, please do.

Birthday Celebrations are also part of our new policy for healthier eating. We will now include preparing a nutritional (and delicious) cake with the children as a special activity. This will free you from at least one item on your to-do list.

Daily drop-off - Our programs will begin promptly at 9:00 am. Please be sure that your child has settled in by that time so that we can proceed with our activities. Late arrivals also mean that you may need to bring your child to us, if we have left the area. *Note that children brought after 8:00 am must have bug spray and sunscreen applied by parent.

Pick up times - are now pre-scheduled to enable us to provide the best, most complete experience for your children. I have looked at the schedule and tried to accommodate the most people possible. You will not be charged extra if we ask you to pick your child up later for our convenience. Of course, you certainly may pick your child up earlier on any day, but if we are not in sight, you will need to call the posted cell phone number, and we will tell you where to find us, so as not to disrupt the activity that we have organized.

Pick up times are: 12:30 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm After 5:00 pm - we’ll be near the building.

Your child’s cubby or backpack must be stocked with a freshly filled water bottle, lunch, (with extra healthy snack for children who are here all day), dual light hiking/water shoes (crocs are fine – no flip flops), appropriate back up clothing, bathing suit, towel, rain gear, bugspray and sunscreen. We will refill water bottles as needed. Cubbies need to be cleaned out weekly.

In all these things, if you have concerns, we remind you to ask for time to talk. We want to do our very best for your families!

And, as always, we thank you, for it is our greatest pleasure and privelege to share our days with your children.

Savor this glorious season!

~ * Grace and Caleb
Watch out for High Fructose Corn Syrup

The following article is found at http://www.stoneyfield.com/

Vicki Koenig, MS, RD, CDN

While health professionals and researchers debate whether high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is comparable to sugar, many are also debating whether or not HFCS is natural. Is it the same as sugar? Is it natural? Let me shed some light on this.

HFCS is not found in nature

HFCS is an inexpensive sweetener made from genetically modified corn. It’s enzymatically processed from cornstarch into a liquid sweetener. One or two of the enzymes are also genetically engineered. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides no definition of what the word "natural" means and does not regulate its use on labels.

Still, it’s hard to think of HFCS as natural after its complex processing. There is also no organic HFCS available, because organic standards prohibit genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

HFCS: similar to sugar?

HFCS and sugar both contain the simple sugars fructose and glucose in similar amounts. They are both found in nutritionally depleted products like soda, candy, juice drinks, jams, ketchup, and packaged baked goods.

Earlier research suggested HFCS was responsible for the U.S. obesity epidemic. Research conducted in 2008 doesn’t support this. Is it the sweetener, the foods, or the amount of sweetener in the diet? The source of sweetener doesn’t seem to matter. The truth is that we eat too much. HFCS in the U.S. diet mirrors the rise in obesity, but likely did not cause it.

Even if HFCS is metabolized like sugar, it doesn’t mean I recommend it

Stonyfield Farm uses only natural and organic ingredients in its products. Naturally milled organic sugar is its natural sweetener. This is a much less-processed form of cane sugar. The processing uses less energy and produces less waste than refined white sugar or HFCS, so there are environmental benefits, too.

Less sugar in Stonyfield yogurt than you might think

The amount of sugar listed on Stonyfield nutrition labels is not all added sugar. It includes the milk sugar lactose, natural fruit sugar, and added sugar. That’s why 6 ounces of plain yogurt has 12 grams of sugar, yet no added sugar. It’s the lactose!

Sugar isn’t all bad.

Sugar can be used to make healthy foods more appealing. For many, a small amount of added sugar in a healthy food like yogurt makes the taste enjoyable. Otherwise, they might not eat it and get the benefits of calcium, protein, and probiotics. If you’re going have a sweetened food, it’s best to choose a naturally sweetened, healthy one. That’s why I recommend you avoid foods that contain HFCS.