Bamberger Ranch Preserve – Three Day Field Trip

The 5^th grade students at Lamar Elementary in San Antonio are preparing for a 3-day/2-night field trip to the Bamberger Ranch Preserve.  Five volunteers will be needed on Day One to lead a nature hike and to assist with tips on insect identification.  Ranch staff will provide instructions in real-time regarding the insect identification activity.

On Day One, the students arrive around 11 am, unpack, and eat their sack lunches.  At 1 pm, students receive a quick lesson on watersheds and then volunteers help guide them from the Center to the patio of Madrone Lake where they see the rain machine demonstration and work on their field journals.  Then volunteers will lead students on a nature hike followed by insect collection/identification.  These activities are scheduled to end by 4 pm.

The summary of Day One volunteer opportunities is as follows.

October 17^th – Arrive by 12:45 pm at the Margaret Bamberger Research & Education Center parking lot and end by 4 pm – Need 5 volunteers

In addition, at least one volunteer is needed each day to help with meals and hands-on lessons in water conservation.  Lunches consist of build-your-own sandwiches/hot dogs and dinners include helping ranch staff prepare a simple entrée, salad, and bread.  After each meal, a subset of students helps with loading the dishwasher and there is a water conservation discussion.  If time permits, you may include a generic discussion on composting.  Asking the students about their activities on the ranch is encouraged as a means of reinforcing the day’s lessons.  Volunteers are welcomed to stay after dinner for the raptor demonstration/discussion should there be one.

The summary of meal preparation/water conservation lessons volunteer opportunities is as follows.

October 17^th – Dinner – Arrive by 4:30 pm – Meal served by 5:30 pm – Need at least 1 volunteer

October 18^th – Lunch – Arrive by 11:45 am – Meal served around noon – Need 1 to 2 volunteers

October 18^th – Dinner – Arrive by 4:30 pm – Meal served by 5:30 pm – Need at least 1 volunteer

October 19^th – Lunch – Arrive by 11:45 am – Meal served around noon – Need 1 to 2 volunteers

If you have any interest in volunteering for any of these activities, please let me know so I can let the ranch staff know who to expect and when.  Hope to see you there!

Patty Harrell