Ambassadors Work Shrimp Fest, Tour Zoo

The Outdoor Family ambassadors have been out and active. Last week they worked the 39th Annual Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores. Besides handing out flyers and explaining the Outdoor Family mission, they helped all the children to make thumbprint art and bracelets made from recycled telephone wire.

[Photos: A few of the ambassadors at the Shrimp Fest.]

This week the ambassadors toured the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo with photographer Sam, who gave some brief instruction before starting out. The aperture, he said, (of a camera) is like the pupil of your eye: it controls how much light gets in. Shutter speed is like opening your eyes quickly, then closing them again. How long were your eyes open? How quickly did you close them?

Looking at the camera.

Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my! The ambassadors saw all three!

A hungry pelican? Swan lake?

By Krysta Denzer.

Blinking Finch, Scraping Squirrel, and Other Observations

By Krysta Denzer

Flowers bloom, birds fly, and seeds begin to sprout in the bird feeder. I find a young male house finch as he sits serenely on the porch. I watch as he stands, blinking every few seconds, slowly, barely, raising and lowering his tail. I saw the slight red on his head and breast, as well as a small red patch on his rear just above his tail.

By the sidewalk, a squirrel noisily scrapes his teeth on a large nut, intent on his prize within. And over there, another squirrel makes off with a mushroom, bringing it back up the tree. A lizard peeks out from under the backyard shed, where a small toadstool grows. Later, a raccoon climbs through the trees, enjoying an early-evening meal of wild grapes.

A little moth must have just left its cocoon (shown hanging from the grass to the left). It's wings are soft and floppy, blown and bent by the wind.

Oyster Gardens on Mobile Bay

 Our local ambassadors are participating in the oyster garden program  with University of Auburn and Dauphin Island SeaLab. The Students are cleaning and protecting the young oyster spat as it grows in the small cages hanging off of piers along the Mobile Bay. This is a great opportunity to learn about oysters and the role they play in our ecosystem.

We are watching for signs of oil from the BP spill and any sea life that might be invasive to the oysters.

Lining our cages (gardens) along the water as we clean the oysters and load the cages.

Students take measurements to chart the growth of the oysters in our gardens.

The students clean the mud and small barnacles off of the oysters during our weekly trip to check on the growth of the oysters.

Students are attaching our gardens to the piers. 

Sea Turtles threatened by the oil spill

our first sighting of oil on the beach in Gulf Shores Alabama

finding dead blue crabs along the Alabama Beach

Interview Tourist and his family on Bon Secour Beach Alabama

Orange Beach on May 14th 2010

Great day at Orange Beach , Alabama

This was a day to visit the Gulf coast area to see if any of the oil has effected  the beaches. So far

we do not see any bad results of the oil spill . We will keep sending updates on the beaches along the coast.

Oil Spill Volunteer and supply round up !!

Outdoor Family Adventures of South Alabama is collecting items and volunteers for the oil clean up along our coast of Baldwin county.

The larger organizations and groups are only working on the large tourist attraction areas.

As  residents and promoters of our wildlife and waterways Members of Outdoor Family Adventures is helping the private land owners with the clean up of their waterfront homes and yards as dead and injured sealife and animals arrive in their area. We are collecting a list of items needed to help in this clean up and rescue of the sea animals of our local residents along  the coastal water ways.

If you can help in collecting items  please email   outdoorfamilyasa@yahoo.com

We will need small boxes, rabbit cages with screen bottoms, baby pools, dawn dish soap, shade tents, small tents to place larger birds and animals in to keep them stable and not bound up in boxes, toothbrushes, rags, sheets, towels, rubber gloves, large nets on sticks, yard gloves,pet carriers, tape for labeling animals,paper for documenting animals, label all items you donate for use and we will return the items to you when finished using them. 

We need Volunteers willing to stay at a clean up site with us while we help the residents along our coast line.

Thank you in advance if you are able to help  us out.

My Trip To The Wonderous Alaska

By: Morgan Dawson

Mountains so tall you can not see the top. Sky so blue it is absurd. Purple and Pink starfish with as many as eight arms! I got a chance to see these things when I went to the amazing state of Alaska. The height of the mountains was extraordinary. Their peaks appeared to touch the sky, and ascend past the clouds. The sky was a magnificent blue and the water was a shimmering turquiose. The clouds were a sparkling white. There were enchanting pink and purple starfish on Alaska's shores. Alaska's beaches were made up of a abundant supply of gorgeous rocks, and the water was ice cold. This shows how grand God is. If he created this, then who knows how beautiful he is!

Tent Camping !!

by Angela Ballard

camping is probably the most enjoyable and fulfilling activity to do with your family. This is so because it brings the whole family together to not only have a good time, but also to instill responsibility through each member’s participation and emphasizes the importance to all of us in respecting and caring for the environment as well.

As a general rule there are two different types of campers RVer’s and tent campers. This article has been written for those who don’t mind ‘roughing it’. Although it seems overrun by the latter, tent camping is still quite popular among many families and this piece will hopefully be of use whether you are a first time camper, or a highly seasoned veteran of canvas and cord. It will touch on some of the options that you as campers have in the way of family tent types, colours, and brand names and will offer suggestions on other camping accessories as well



By far, the most popular name in anything pertaining to camping has got to be the Coleman name. A little over a century ago a man in Brockton, Alabama who went by the initials W.C. Coleman made a drastic change in careers when he switched from selling typewriters door-to-door to inventing the first reading lamp powered by gasoline. Along with all of the accessories that this company offers its customers, Coleman also has some outstanding family tents out on the market too. For instance, their ‘Montana Big Sky’ is an attractive set up in blue and white. Its 16 by 7 foot frame will sleep 4 to 5 people very comfortably and there is also a 7-person model available in orange and gray for slightly larger family groups. The pricing ranges from $180 – $300 depending upon where one is purchased. The Coleman family tent is arguable one of the best family tents on the market, but there are also other brands that will do just fine.

Camping tents don’t take up much space, and are normally easy to transport and carry. Most camp tents even come with their own carry bag that holds everything you need to erect your campsite once you have decided to stop for the night. You can even carry it with you on a hike and travel along hiking trails to destinations that can only be seen by walking their on foot. Imagine finding that perfect spot along an inland pond or lake that is secluded, lush vegetation and a great place to swim or fish and you have with you a camping tent.



This information was taken from the outdooradventuresguide.com blogsite.

Recalled Toys

By Alyce B.

Why are people's children getting sick from toys. Here we are counting down the 5 of the15 biggest recalls of 2009.

1 Infintino is a recalled toy because it has blue metallic fabric the can detach away from the toy causing a choking hazard to young children.

2 Alpargatas flip - flops recalled for the decorative painting on the sole of the shoe contains lead.

3 Evenflo childrens activity center recalled for one end of the activity center can fall off causing a fall hazard to small children.

4 simplicity drop side cribs. Recalled for The crib's plastic hardware can break or deform, causing the drop side to detach. When the drop side detaches, it creates space between the drop side and the crib mattress. Infants and toddlers can roll into this space and become entrapped which can lead to suffocation.

5 Zebco fishing poles recalled for the paint on the reels of these fishing poles contains excessive levels of lead.


my resource for the article was from www.parents.com/baby/safety/biggest recalls of 2009

video

here's a cool video:

Five Star Dinner

by Brianna Ballard

A 5 course meal by the beach on April 5 2010. Frederic's, A locally owned restaurant
at Faulkner State Community College in Gulf Shores, Alabama has a series of
Five course, gourmet meals that the students in the Culinary and Hospitality
programs prepare and serve to guests. Dinners are usually presented once a week
for several weeks during Spring and fall semesters. The campus recommends for guests to wear Casual-Dressy clothing; which is better suited for a gourmet restaurant on
the Gulf Coast of Alabama. The April 5th dinner was reserved for High school students in a Baldwin county home school group. Students attending Faulkner in the Sun-Chief chorus group at the Bay Minette campus entertained guests with amazing vocalists and performances. To get a reservation for one of the upcoming Monday night meals call ahead of time to 251-968-3104. Tickets are 25$ per person.

Targeting Archery!

By: Kristi Hunt

Another outstanding class with Outdoor Family Adventures!

Bass Pro Shops invited the students of OFA to use their target practice room to learn about hunting with bows and arrows. The students were introduced to the different sizes and weights of the bows and which ones to use for different game animals. Proper stance, while holding the bow, was also emphasized for safety and accuracy. The instructor demonstrated how to aim with a scope and how to use a release to free the arrow. All the students were given multiple opportunities to practice!

It was extremely fun and educational!

National Environmental Education Week is April 11-17

by Angela Ballard

view this video about the Environmental Education Week

http://www.neefusa.org/video/eeweek_psa

Sea Turtles Threatened by The People Visiting Miami Beach

By Alyce B.

sea turtles threatened by the people visiting Miami beach.

In the night dozens of freshly hatched sea turtles inch their way to the new life in the sea.
These turtle will face many challenges. the female sea turtles who make it to maturity return every summer to lay eggs of their own in nest that typically contain more than 50 eggs, because they must share their breeding ground with beach goers the sea turtles way of life is under increasing threat.

Egg poachers and vandals have destroyed a number of nest conservationist do their best to protect turtles nest. Dozens of turtles are killed by the time breeding season comes. Boat propellers and those who hope to make a profit from the illegal sale of turtle meat are some of the causes. Sea turtles found alive after boating accidents or human attacks are taken to the Miami aquarium where they are treated by Dr. Maya Rodriquez that has about 25 injured turtles. Some turtles have a clipped flipper to a cracked shell or worse one had its insides completely exposed and saved them protection starting at birth is the key to future survival.

my resource for this article was NY times story written by Carmen gentile
published Sep /9 / 09

Why polution should be stopped.

By Morgan Dawson



Have you ever seen cans or bottles floating in the water or sitting beside the road? Have you ever wondered how something so small could effect our earth? Well, fish or any aquatic animal suffers greatly from us throwing thrash onto the road or into the water.
Aquatic animals suffer the most because trash beside the road is likely to wash into the water by rain or blown into it by the wind. Also, the animals could mistake trash as food and eat it, then choke on it. Not just aquatic animals are dealing with polution, mammals and birds could easily be trapped. Something like a plastic six-pack rings could get wrapped around the animal and trap it. Wire or plastic could wrap around the poor animal's throat and possibly choke it to death.
We also will reap the consequences of polution. The polution completely destroys our water. Plastic, glass, beer cans, are just a few of the things that float around in our water for years and years at a time. The polution kills off many species of animals that WE eat, that means less fish for us.
I hope you found out how horrible polution is. So, from now on, wait until you see a trash can or a recycling bin to throw you trash away. That's what they're there for, right? When you do this you will be helping aquatic animals and lands animal have a better home.

Fun Facts About Birds

By Alyce B.


Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a bird?
Or just think about the facts like the most yolks found in a single chickens egg was nine that would have been nine chicks in one egg. I'm pretty sure they would not live that is such a small space for nine chicks too grow in. The egg of a humming bird is the worlds smallest birds egg. The egg of the ostrich is the worlds largest these are just simple facts about birds. I have been looking up things about birds. They are wonderful animals
they are the animals that make the noise in the morning and in the day and one more thing, have you ever wondered why birds are so important well almost all birds can be eaten by other birds or animals. Birds are an important part of the food chains of many animals. But that is not the only reason that birds are important
there are so many reasons that birds are important to our planet. If you want to learn more things about birds just go on the internet and find out so that we can help their habitat.

Zappy Zip Line!

By: Kristi Hunt


Have you ever wanted to know what it feels like to fly? Now you have a chance! Come experience an exhilarating ride ... the zip line! Soar through the air like a bird in flight.

It's a blast!

This is just one of the exciting activities you'll encounter when you visit Camp Baldwin. Come join the adventure!
For more information visit http://www.campbaldwin.org/

















A few Ambassadors getting ready to ride the Zip Line at Camp Baldwin!

To learn the history of the modern zip line click here:
http://knol.google.com/k/ofs/history-of-the-zipline/20psr0naj1u55/2#

Success!

By Chason Ford

It has finally been completed...and what a great success! This past Thursday was the beginning of our classes at Camp Baldwin in Elberta, Alabama. A group of 5th graders from Northside Private School in Dothan, Alabama, made their way for a two day field trip, to learn about  estuary life and surrounding nature. Our two days were spent in three places: the classroom, the ropes course, and out on the water. Participants were presented with native inhabitants of the area such as, snakes, turtles, frogs, lizards, and even alligators. We used this activity as a hands-on tool to learn about the amphibians that live in Alabama. Additionally, team building was accomplished through the the rope's course and our time on the sailboat taught us about another "world", under the sea. 

Not only was this an amazing educational experience, but great fun and fellowship was enjoyed by all.  For further information on how your group can take part in this exciting, fun-filled educational program, please contact Rusty Davidson with Compass Ministries @ 251-752-0367.

Authors of great books

Dr. Geoff Hill shares his research of the swamps of  the Florida panhandle trying to locate Ivory-billed Woodpeckers, a species thought to be extinct for the past 50 years. In 2005, the Laboratory of Ornithology at Cornell University announced a discovery of an Ivory-billed Woodpecker in the big woods of Arkansas. Following the announcement, Dr. Hill, a wildlife science professor at Auburn University, took a research trip  into the swamp forests of Florida. Read his book the Ivorybill Hunters .

Another great and enjoyable author is Brian "Fox" Ellis

Brian Ellis brings history, ecology, art and literature to life in his meticulously researched program that celebrates the life work of an "American Treasure"  Adventures with John James Audubon. Brian is one of America's greatest naturalists and wildlife artists. Listen to tales of his adventures as he enchants you with stories of his travels and travails in the wildest places on the planet.

He is best  known for his books for children

The Web at Dragonfly Pond

Meet Mendel the Hybrid owl

Becky Collier from the Alabama 4-H center ( Coose River Science School) cares for a hybrid owl named Mendel . He is two years old and came to Becky after being born in a clutch of 5 belonging to mixed parents. The Center for Birds and Prey in Charleston, SC. thought they had two males in a shared habitat and only after the arrival of the clutch did they realize one was a female and she is an African Spotted Eagle owl . The father of our little hybrid owl was a  Vermiculated owl. The center offered the hybrid to the Science School to help care for the owl in captivity to prevent further hybrid  offspring  from being produced.

Mendel the hybrid owl recieved his name after the monk Gregor Mendel  best known for his studies on the  hybrid pea plants.

Hands on Watershed study for families

Great outdoor class with Anna King. Families were able to here about our watershed and the important role it plays in our area. The children were able to do a hands on  activity and observe the hazards of  erosion and runoff into our local waters. We then ventured  on a great nature hike and ended on the public boardwalk and beach for some fun in the sand while observing the birds in the area. Was such a great day. March 3, 2010.

families prepare to  participate in a hands on activity.

                                    Anna helps the students prepare for the erosion observation.

                                The kids take a stroll along the waters edge during a great hike .

Come Together

By Chason Ford

In March, the ambassadors of Outdoor Family Adventures will launch the first class in their new aquatic and wildlife classroom. Our ambassadors have spent the last few weeks assisting Rusty Davidson, Director of Compass Ministries, in preparation for this exciting initiative. This past Monday, Rusty and I spent the day cleaning, repairing, and setting up tanks for our animals, along with preparing the materials that will be utilized in teaching others.  Our ambassadors are thrilled to begin our classes and to see this project come together.

                       

One of the turtles that will be in our exhibit, starting in March.                                 

Reptile Expo

Mobile, Alabama

February 20th and 21st 2010
Mobile Civic Center

Want to invite everyone out to Mobile and the great Reptile Expo.

9 A.M.- 4 P.M.
If you Purchase your tickets in advance you will recieve a Discount
1 Day Ticket
Adults $5.00
Children Under 12 $1.00
Children 5 and Under Free!!!!
2 Day Ticket
Adults $8.00
Children Under 12 $2.00
Children 5 and Under Free


Trading




Customers will be allowed to bring animals to Trade. Customers are only allowed to bring 2 animals to the show with them to Trade. If more than 2 animals are brought to the show by an individual then they must pay $5.00 for every extra animal..



If you do bring something to trade you must keep the animal under control at all times. You are held responsible for any animals you bring to the show. Do not bring animals with the intent of selling them. Only Vendors will be allowed to sell

Have fun and check out the site  http://www.gulfcoastreptileexpo.com/

Estuary Exploration

By Joshua Hunt

Students of Outdoor Family Adventures had an amazing experience in the shallow waters of Dauphin Island's Estuaries. Their time there included studies like testing the amount of salinity in the estuary water, learning to identify the different types of swamp marsh snails, and using seine nets¹ the catch and observe the local estuary wildlife.



An Estuary is a body of water partly surrounded by land where fresh water from rivers and streams mix with salt water from the ocean. Along with other coastal waters, they provide about 75% of commercial fish catch. They are also an excellent " nursing ground " habitat for young and vulnerable fish.


The student's enjoyed exploring the natural and beautiful habitat we are surrounded by. The wonderful day of enlightenment was finished off with a nice meal in the Dauphin Island Sea Lab cafeteria.

-

¹A large fishing net made to hang vertically in the water by weights at the lower edge and floats at the top.

Pieces of The Puzzle

By Chason Ford

If you have ever worked on a puzzle before, you know that it takes time. For the last couple of weeks, our Ambassadors have been working on completing our very own puzzle. It began with four white walls and hard wood floor, and it was our job to turn this ordinary room into a wildlife and aquatic paradise. 

After several trips to Camp Baldwin, where the classroom is located, we have successfully managed to fit the majority of the pieces together, by cleaning, painting, organizing, and building. 

This past Monday, I contributed by building table supports and shelves with the help of Rusty Davidson, one of the leaders of Compass Ministries and director of our project.

After many hours, we finally finished two of our tables. These tables will be used for exhibits and to hold materials that will be needed to run the classroom. 

Sometimes puzzles take time to put together, but at the end of the day, the masterpiece is worth the time and effort. In the next couple of months, our Ambassadors will be teaching about wildlife and aquatic environments to children in surrounding schools.

The Absolute

By Blake Dawson

So you think your cold? You may feel cold on the outside, but your core temperature is still 98.6 degrees Farenheit. Unless of course you are suffering from hypothermia.

When objects are hot, such as a frying pan on a burner, the molecules inside are moving very rapidly. On the other hand, in cold objects, such as ice, the molecules inside tend to move more slowly.

At Absolute Zero, (0 degrees on the Kelvin scale, -273 degrees on Celsius and -459 degrees on Farenheit) the molecules in an object are at an almost complete stop.

So next time before you say, "I'm freezing!" just think about the Absolute.

How would you like to have 126 children?

By Morgan Dawson


How would you like to live to be more than a hundred years old? Or have 126 children? I don't know any person who has experienced this, but if we examine the life of the Loggerhead turtle, they might be able to answer these questions. Loggerhead turtles can live up to hundreds of years old and sometimes even thousands! The mothers can lay up to 126 eggs, but only a few of them make it to adulthood because of predators like larger fish, raccoons, and seabirds find the eggs. The Loggerhead turtle buries their eggs from 12 inches to 16 inches deep. The eggs resemble ping pong balls.

As the turtles begin to hatch, they climb their way to just below the surface. There they wait until cooler temperatures signal nightfall so they can make their way to the surface. Then, they head toward the brightest light which is usually the moon reflecting off the sea. Unfortunately, many become disoriented because of lights from houses and stores and head toward them, rather than the sea.

Baby sea turtles swim around the ocean for their entire lifetime until they are fully grown. When the females mate they come back to that exact same beach and lay their eggs.

The 13th Annual Bird Count !!

by Angela Ballard

This is a four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent and in Hawaii. Anyone can participate, so sign up and document the birds you see around your home.

here is a great link to visit for the bird watching fans.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/

Ambassadors work on Classroom

by Angela Ballard

Our ambassadors have been given the opportunity to study their choice of outdoor activities and focus all of the projects they want to do with it on their own. They will be acting as guides during an internship that the students have been given with an outdoor facility.

You can see the ambassadors at work in the building where they will conduct class time for visiting students. They have been painting and preparing the room with the required materials and books that they will use for teaching the classes.

The ambassadors have really enjoyed training for the upcoming activities they will be hosting.

Nest Spotting

Students spot an Osprey's nest, among other great discoveries in Estuary outing.

family day at the Daphne Dog Park.

5 Rivers Delta museum tour.

Ambassadors help with 5 Rivers Halloween Party

Sunday Soup Hike !

canoe trip on the Delta

Ambassadors introduce the Outdoor Family Adventures organization to Baldwin County Commission