4 H Program Delights Nature Lovers

The squeals of excitement and glee were deafening when Williamsburg 4-H leader John Lewis uncrated a wiggling snake and a fast-moving turtle in front of the NRC’s preschool and after school children. The squeals didn’t stop until the children took turns petting the snake and turtle. Then their interest turned to bugs. The curious little group of nature explorers then sat spellbound around the parameters of a tarp while John handed out plastic forks and encouraged each child to dissect clumps of old logs and look for bugs. The program was designed to help the children understand the difference between helpful and harmful insects – some of which they find when planting and harvesting fruits and vegetables in the Center’s organic garden. The kids, especially the girls, loved the dissecting process and were thrilled by the worm casings, larva, spiders and beetles they uncovered, examined and discussed. The dissected logs were mulched and returned to the garden.