Sunday May 29th 2022 0 1:00pm
Planting the Community Garden
It was always our intent to have the raised community garden beds that Jeff Kargus planted last year - to support the Arnprior Food Bank - to be a joint Outreach and UNPLUG project. Alas, the pandemic didn’t allow UNPLUG to get going in time last year to help plant; our kids did help harvest the garden. Look at these carrots! Planting the 2022 garden will be an UNPLUG event, led by Jeff – on Sunday May 29th at 1:00pm. Email Unplug.SJL@gmail.com or call Alison 613 618-5716.
Kids will help add mulch, fresh soil and earthworms and then plant carrots and onions. To make things easier this year to support this important community outreach: Camp Lutherlyn has donated some wood chips to us which will be put around the gardens so that no mowing is required in those tight areas. An outside tap will be installed close to the gardens – to fill the rain barrels when needed. And, most importantly, a garden volunteer team is being formed to spread the workload on watering the gardens this year – that’s an essential part of getting a good harvest. These volunteers, depending on how many we have, would look after watering for 1-3 weeks each (June through September). The schedule will accommodate everyone’s “away” schedule. If you can help, please call/ text Alison at 613-618-5716.
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2021 Harvest
March 5th
Field & Forest Snowshoe Social
Held at the Blackwell-Hinchley Homestead saw 3 kids (2 under 4 & one aged 8) and a bunch of big kids (i.e. adults) attend. They enjoyed show-shoeing and hot chocolate and camaraderie around the campfire. I heard that the 2.5 year-old managed to do the whole 1.5 km trail with her grandmother!
March 20th
Fortune Farms Sugar Bush
5 kids (2 new brothers from Almonte) and their adults met at “Fortune Farms Sugar Bush” (in Almonte) and saw maple syrup being made over a wood-fired evaporator by the Shanty Men, and then over old-fashioned kettles with the Kettle Boys. Slim (not!) and Shorty (not!) were the ones we met – we didn’t really talk to Tubby or Curly. They gave us tastes of yummy maple syrup and maple fudge. And, back at the entrance, the kids enjoyed some taffy on the snow. Education about the sugar bush wasn’t a high priority for the kids – they liked running on the trails, climbing snow banks and digging in the snow with sticks they found. Anyway, a good time was had by all! This event attracted kids from ages 3-6.
March 27th
Wilderness Survival - Winter
Held at the Zimmerling’s farm, this event saw 3 kids (new to Unplug from Arnprior & Braeside) plus the 3 young Zimmerling kids working on some new material! This activity appealed to kids ages 5 to 11. Enid reports it was chilly weather but with everyone moving around [& with their UNPLUG wool socks], it was good. After an introduction by Ryan (support by Zach), groups shoe their survival tools, hunted for a good site and built a shelter from materials found in the forest. Then they built a fire: matches were provided, birch bark, twigs and logs were gathered and laid; and the warmth was enjoyed!
UNPLUG
UNPLUG KIDS PROGRAM
Calling all Kids, Grandkids and Friends!
ALL WELCOME!
Welcome to a fun, exciting outdoor experience for youth 6 -17 who want to UNPLUG (no screens) and Connect with Nature!
Creating a garden!
- Meeting baby animals!
- Canoeing!
- Exploring night/ daytime sky!
- Nature hiking!
- Kite flying!
Schedule: approximately every 2 weeks (Sunday afternoon).
Site: an interesting nature location normally within a 15 minute drive from Arnprior. Parent drop off/ pick-up required.
Cost: $5 each session per participant, payable at site.
For more details, use the button below or call 613 618-5716
Sponsor: St. John’s Lutheran Church 47 McLachlin Street South Arnprior K7S 2Z1