You don’t have to have a lot of gear or travel far to have a great time camping. With your parents’ permission and help, you can camp right in your own backyard.

You’ll Need:

• A tent,
• An air mattress or soft pad to lie on,
• Sleeping bag (or blankets) and a pillow,
• A flashlight with fresh batteries,
• Snacks

1. Set up your tent and make your bed.

2. Play outdoor games until it gets dark.

3. If you have an outdoor grill, ask an adult to start a campfire in it.

4. Roast marshmallows over the fire and make s’mores.

5. Shine your flashlights around and see if you can spot bats, moths, and other night creatures.

6. Crawl into your bed and tell stories or read until you fall sleep. more…

Canada Goldenrod

(Solidago canadensis)

Because of its medicinal qualities Canada Goldenrod received the scientific name ‘solidago’ from the Latin words ‘solidus’ and ‘ago’, meaning ‘to restore or cure’.

Canada Goldenrod is a perennial of the sunflower family that grows from 30-175 cm. It’s stems grow alone.

LEAVES:

Canada Goldenrod

Canada Goldenrod leaves are:

• dark green;
• lance shaped;
• very pointed at the tip;
• usually toothed;
• crowded and numerous on the stem, fewer as progress up the stem.

FLOWERS:

• small heads (2 cm.) of 10-17 ray and disk flowers;
• yellow heads clustered in a plume shape at the top of the stem;
• Canada Goldenrod blooms in late summer and fall.

FRUIT:

• dry;
• one-seeded;
• nut-like;
• hairy have white bristles – like tufts of hair – help in their dispersal.

HABITAT:
Canada Goldenrod is found in low to mid elevations abundant throughout the southern interior many habitats; disturbed areas or forest openings.

FASCINATING FACTS:
there are many species of the goldenrod found all over North America. usually grows near the aster. dried seeds area used in flower arrangements. Canada Goldenrod flowers used in potpourris and in dyes the leaves are eaten as a green.

(information thanks to http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/wilderness/wildflowers/canada.htm) more…