The Rookery

P.M.A. (or Positive Mental Attitude) was the theme of the Herons' day today.  We all started off at a chilly Chickadee landing, and for a while it seemed that no birds were coming.  After a lot of quiet patient waiting, the Chickadees arrived and flitted from head to head.

This morning the Herons braved the ropes course (more stories from Michelle coming soon), using that positive mental attitude to get them selves across those ropes.

   In the afternoon we had Basic Survival, where we learned the acronym for P.M.A. (the most important element for success in a survival situation).  We let the three groups find their own spots and get going building a shelter and a fire.  It was a long three hours, but at the end all groups had created an impressive shelter and lit a fire (though keeping them lit proved to be a struggle).  During the wrap-up our naturalist, Ben, told the kids that they were the most impressive group he had taught in terms of P.M.A.  They struggled and nerves frayed, but each Heron was able to keep working productively with their group – it was great fun to watch that interpersonal learning.  -ET