news 9/14/07

Upcoming Events:
Sept 18-21 - Live Power Community Farm Trip
Sept 23 - Art Building Celebration
Sept 30 - Panther Picnic

As requested:

6S Farm Packing List

• Please label all clothing and equipment with child’s name.
• Pack all clothing and personal belongings in one bag if possible. Pack sleeping bags, pads etc. in another. Kids can take pillows in the car with them for the drive. Bring everything for the car ride to and from the farm in a small day pack which will stay in the car.
• Pack sturdy old clothes for farm work, and a change for each day in case of wet weather.
• Be prepared for both hot and cool weather. It may be hot during the day but will definitely be cool in the evenings and at night.
• Nights WILL be cold so pack warm pajamas or sweats for sleeping, warm socks, and a warm blanket as well as a sleeping bag & pad. A hooded fleece is ideal for sleeping as so much heat is lost through the head.

Clothing & personal effects:

o RUBBER BOOTS!!! (These are available at OSH, and sometimes Payless or Long’s. We also have some to lend.)
o Water bottle with a shoulder or waist strap – very important.
o Work gloves – very important.
o Sturdy shoes
o Slippers or non-slip socks for indoors.
o Jeans or overalls
o Shorts
o Shirts – both long & short sleeved
o Several changes of socks & underwear.
o Rain poncho or jacket with hood. (Simple rain ponchos are available at Target for around $2.)
o Warm jacket
o Warm sweaters or fleece.
o Warm hat, scarf & gloves.
o Sun hat, sunscreen & bandanna.
o Swimsuit.
o Towel & wash bag with basic toiletries.
o Plastic bags for wet & dirty clothes.
o Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries.


Camping Equipment:
o Warm sleeping bag & pillow
o Sleeping pad.
o Plate, cup, bowl, cloth napkin, labeled in a ditty bag.

Other items:
o Writing notebook & pencils/pens – essential!!!
o Independent reading book
o Disposable camera (optional)
o Binoculars, bird-watching books, drawing materials, etc (optional)
o Daypack with picnic lunch, drinks & snacks for the car-ride, money for lunch at Bluebird Cafe on return drive (about $15 - $20).
o Large black trash bag for bringing wet clothes home! I also recommend that you pack underwear, toiletries, flashlight & batteries etc. in separate ziplok bags.


Notes:
We are in the home stretch, just a few short days before we depart for our farm trip. Today we watched The Real Dirt on Farmer John, the story of a family farmer in Illinois. While the history of his farm is quite different than Live Power, I think it gave the kids some insight into the difficulties and beauty of working the land. If you'd like to find out more about Farmer John, he's got a website: www.angelicorganics.com. There's even a song about bees written by John and his girlfriend. Check it out.

Witticism of the Day:
"Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone."