Thirty two enthusiastic children ranging in age from 8 to 10 attended San Saba’s 11th Annual Kids’ Nature Kamp June 1-4, beginning each day at the Gazebo by the pond in the beautiful park. Kampers enjoyed numerous outdoor learning activities in lush settings and came for nature snacks at the Gazebo each midmorning.
Tuesday’s activities included:
• Tree and leaf identification and leaf imprinting as Kampers’ stamped the group color on individual backpacks at the arbor of the Senior Center Backyard with instructors Buddy Whitley and Sarah Saldivar,
• Constructing and decorating bird feeders while learning of bird foods and habitats at the park entrance led by Paula Wood,
• In the museum a presentation on learning the ways of honey bees and their yummy food they provide for us was given by former San Saba resident, Chris Davenport, beekeeper, owner of Longhollow Ranch Honey Company.
• Grasping the roles of predators who attack, and their prey, who hide and camouflage, to protect themselves by playing a game at Ragsdale Pavilion led by McKinley Armstrong, former Ag Life Leader here in San Saba,
• And snack time, arranging the parts of a birdhouse pop tart complete with a roof, hole and bird cookie that each Kamper got to eat, planned by Debbie Shahan.
Wednesday’s activities included:
• The study of clouds, their formation, and the water cycle completed with a craft at the museum front porch by Cindy Sloan and Janis Murray,
• The prep and planting of a pretty annual flower in a take home pot led by Chrissy Baker of Chrissy’s Plants in Richland Springs,
• Using directional maps and finding locations including a scavenger hunt with prizes after following instructions given to go certain directions by Cassandra Merriman,
• The hands-on practice of using the ancient weapon, atlatls, in nature for killing prey by Buddy Whitley,
• The satisfaction of eating a beach scene pudding cup complete with sour patch kids, gummy towels, floats, and paper umbrellas planned by Debbie Shahan.
Finishing up Thursday:
• Kiddos followed the lead of Dianna Furlan making pressed flower note cards to be used as thank you cards for the folks who have donated to the renovation of the beloved San Saba Garden Club building which is our normal place of gathering for Kids’ Nature Kamp,
• Kampers fished in the Mill Pond instructed by Llano’s game warden, Ms. Lin, and aided by many volunteers from the City of San Saba,
• Discussed sightings of different birds found in our area by doing a project with Laurie Fleet and learning of unique things about these birds,
• Reminisced the July 2025 floods of San Saba County with our local Emergency Management personnel Wyatt Deans and Marsha Hardy who spoke of preparedness for such events,
• Snacked one last day on decorative butterfly cakes and yummy treats.
Many volunteers gave of their time to make KNK a success this year, namely the group guides: Kathleen Hawkins and Cissy Williams with the red group, Marcie Butler and Ami Whitley with the green group, Alyssia Torres and Valeria Macias with the yellow group; and Mayce McDowell and Noelle Wood with the blue group.
Assisting with snacks, presentations, and safety were: Juanita Proffitt, Jamie Shelton, Jan Vanderburg, Mona McMahan, Marjean Alexander, Jan Beaver, Denise Mayfield, Susie Kissko, Scott Edmonson, Shane Moore, Sandra Vaughn, Ruby McBee, Emma McBee, Stella Shahan, Cassia Wood, Emily Mays, and Molly Mays. Please forgive me if I left anyone out. What a blessing to have so much help!
Directors of Kids Nature Kamp are Debbie Shahan, Paula Wood, Cindy Sloan, and Sarah Saldivar. The event could not happen without the Keep San Saba Beautiful commission or the San Saba Garden Club who sponsor the fun days!
Thanks to all who participated!