Martinsville YMCA at Lake Philpott

On Tuesday, the Martinsville YMCA MHC After 3 group joined us at Philpott Park overlooking the lake. We went through a fish life obstacle course called "Hooks and Ladders" (from Project WILD Aquatic)- the kids played the roles of fish (striped bass), predators (osprey), fishermen, and a dam turbine. While jumping through ropes, gathering food tokens and fish eggs, and doing a long jump (over a pretend waterfall), the students learned about the life cycle of salmon and striped bass. The fish had to make it out to the ocean and back to the spawning ground.

Trying to make it through the turbine.

The surviving fish with their "eggs".

Playing a round of "Bat, Moth" before heading out to the dam.

Then, we met up with Ranger Danny Martin, who took us out to the Philpott Lake Dam, where we got an excellent view of the lake, river, and mountains. He explained how the dam produced electricity and the benefits of hydroelectric power.

Ranger Danny Martin explains how the dam works.

Looking off the river-side of the dam

Viewing Philpott Lake and the Blue Ridge Mountains

Summer is Here!

Today was the first day of MHC After 3 Summer Camp with VMNH programming!

The group from the Martinsville YMCA joined us at Fairy Stone State Park to learn all about water quality and the effects of pollution.

First we all introduced ourselves with a game called "Surf or Turf", in which everyone learned that about 71% of the earth's surface is covered in water, but only about 3% of it is freshwater. We also learned that several of the campers had some exciting stories involving water.

Playing "Surf or Turf"

Playing "Surf or Turf"

Then we did a "Water Quality Relay", and the students learned that any pollution that we put on our land can eventually end up in our streams due to run-off after rain. (This is an example of non-point source pollution.)

Water Quality Relay: Simulation of run-off after rainfall

Next, the students paired up and tested the water quality of the stream that runs through the picnic area. They tested pH (tells us how acidic or basic a solution is), dissolved oxygen, temperature, and turbidity (how clear/murky the water is).

Testing the pH of their water sample

Recording the data

Finally, we finished with a walk in the stream to look for underwater wildlife. We found fish, crayfish, and aquatic insects.

Trying to catch a crayfish

Surveying the scene

Angie shows off the crayfish

More exploring

There's a fish in this cup!

The catcher (and releaser) of the fish

Crayfish!

The Martinsville YMCA group, after a full morning of activities.

Soil Detectives

VMNH and the Martinsville YMCA partnered to begin an ongoing service project at J. Frank Wilson Park (behind VMNH) to attend to the needs of the park. Participants conducted soil testing to discover pH and nutrient levels. Based on the results, shrubs and flowers will be planted that are best suited for the particular type of soil.

Building Ramps

The MHC After 3 Group at the Virginia Museum of Natural History site spent their afternoon building ramps of different heights. They designed each ramp, and then let the ball roll! After experimenting with several ramps of different heights, they analyzed their results and put them into graphs.

Building the ramp foundation with blocks

Testing the ramp

Everyone's focused on the math!

Graphing the results

MHC After 3 Party!

Students gathered from each afterschool site (VMNH, Spencer Penn Centre, Fieldale Community Center, Collinsville and Martinsville YMCA, Boys & Girls Club and the Bassett Community Center) for an end of the year party at the Spencer Penn Centre. The event featured relay games, face painting, and a kick ball game. At the end of the day, participants encircled afterschool staff who threw handfuls of candy into the air. The person who caught the most candy won a prize.

Self-reflection

Michelle Martin, the teen dating violence prevention coordinator from Citizens Against Family Violence, visited MHCA3 participants to discuss a wide range of topics over the course of two weeks. Topics discussed included: proudest moments, greatest accomplishments, personal fears, goal setting and steps to achieve those goals. In addition, students compiled a list of at least 5 positive characteristics to describe themselves. Each activity was depicted through pictures or words and participants were given the opportunity to share with the group.

Walk on Water Bugs!

Students at the Bassett Community Center and the Spencer Penn Center learned about water quality and water bugs in the Walk On Water Bugs program.

Each group builds their own water bugs (out of paper clips) that will actually float on water due to the surface tension.

They then see what happens when dirt is added and then soap, to see if the bugs still float.

The kids built their own filters to see if they could clean the dirty, soapy water.