January 8, 2011- Winter Play Day!

One of our inspirations for Little Fenway

We traveled in the summer of 2011, to see this real Little Fenway owned by Mr. O'Connor. Video below of the beautiful field.

http://youtu.be/g8BnzzWe7xA
video

October 20, 2011 "John Dewey Day"

Our fall collection of leaves and such :)

One of the most famous philosophers of modern education; today was his birthday.
Interesting link to read over.




http://www.iep.utm.edu/dewey/

~New~ What nature teaches us!

The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep

Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends,

‘Tis not too late to seek a newer world.

- Alfred, Lord Tennyson

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20111009/GREEN01/110090306/Classroom-without-walls-Outdoor-education-an-old-concept-some-say-needs-grand-revival?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p


A great link on why children need outdoor experiences.



Richard Louv - on Education:

http://youtu.be/PY6fBRKPZKg

~ Autumn Greetings ~

Mama Kitty teaching her first lesson "catching a mouse and having supper"

Toddler kittens....

Tucker, Mary Beth, Maddie, and Nathan Hobbs

Our new "Mini-Lops" additions to the rabbit village

Gary, Selena, Brock, Cooper, and Hillary Harris.

Hillary and Brock spending time with the rabbits.





Happy Fall !

Well, this entry finds our grass growing on Little Fenway and our football and basketball areas. We are enjoying great weather in middle Tennessee! Fall is here - it is apparent in the changing scenery and animal behaviors. Today I will make post about our unique name: Barn Swallow Summer Camp. I will also include various pictures of my children and their experiences with animals and farm life in general.

The term “Barn Swallow” was derived from the migratory birds that return every year when I was a child at my grandfather’s idyllic red barn. When I was a child, I named my childhood club “The Barn Swallow Club”. Barn Swallows are considered like “summer campers” in that they return to their homes in the summer. Children in our rural community would return every year to use their enthusiastic imagination to create a world designed around natural elements. Hay served as the material for most of the furnishings. We built a kingdom of hay made into desks, tables, and chairs. The times shared in the hay loft of this club became deep rooted in our minds and hearts forever. I will never forget the feeling of the freedoms when  using my creativity and applying knowledge to the natural world around me; for that my life has led me to creating a “habitat” for children in which they too can create, imagine, and build these memories. I am joined by my life long friend and also former Barn Swallow Club member, Tucker Hobbs (& family). Our hope is that your child’s summer is filled with inspiration, self-esteem building, and warm, cherished memories!

Pictures only~

Our latest additions! Two day old kittens...they look just like their mama.