Acorns, River Clay deposits, Deer spottings!

 November 12, 2025- Henry Cowell Redwood Old Growth Trail and River Trail

Students walked the River Trail, and we found clay deposits at the river. I've found some clay deposits along this river as well but this was a new spot! Some students played with the clay. If only we could harvest some for some primitive pottery making, but we are not allowed to take resources from State parks.

Students explored the river before a major rain the very next day- the very place students got to explore this day was completely filled with rushing river water the next day. Students chose their favorite rock and brought the rock to our 'camp' to use for acorn splitting.

Students helped to break apart harvested valley oak acorns (from Bonny Doon) and take out the meats out of the acorns as a fine motor activity. Discussed the process of leaching acorns of their tannins through long time soaking, or boiling in water, then drying and grinding to flour. Other students drew with crayon. 

Plants Identified: Coyote Bush, Rattlesnake Grass, 

Animals Identified: Deer, Banana Slug 

How to Eat Acorns | Are Acorns Edible & How to Prepare Them

Tree Climbing- Benefits for kids

 In Earthlings, we encourage safe tree climbing. The rule of "3 points of contact" is always used, so there must always be three limbs touching the tree at all times (two hands and a foot, two feet and a hand). Tree climbing is beneficial for everyone, and kids especially, for many reasons. 

Our distant relatives, the apes, have always climbed trees for necessity, built shelters, and made homes in the trees. Being high above the ground provides safety, a perspective of seeing the space as from aback and away. Nestled in trees, I imagine, was some of the safest that apes had ever felt, away from many ground dwelling predators. Tree limbs also provide excellent modes of stretching- hanging with arms on trees or upside down by the legs provides spinal arm, and hip decompression and stretching. You may have felt the relief from using a hang bar on the arms, back, and hips. I think this is no coincidence. 

Climbing is also a mind-body puzzle that places the climber in a high degree of the present moment, where focus on careful placement of limbs is very important, both for safety, and for successfully getting higher. Tree climbing is beneficial for the feet as well, the texture of tree bark on the feet is stimulating and the feet are strengthened and stretched when climbing. Spacial awareness is improved as well. 

Besides the many physical benefits to tree climbing, the mind benefits are apparent as well, with building confidence in the body and feeling satisfied from accomplishing a challenge, and feeling bigger and powerful by reaching new heights. 

How Tree Climbing Boosts Child Development - Nature's Instruments