Hey Everyone,

I just got back from a week at camp. It was so much fun to be in the outdoors the whole week. The only bad part was it was freezing the whole week so we couldn’t go swimming, but wait that didn’t stop us. The coldest day we were there we ended up having a mud pit. It was a complete blast. Even having to rinse on the the chilling water was fun. We also went on hikes and had scavenger hunts in the woods. I encourage you all to get outside with your friends and think up something fun to do.

Easter is fast approaching. It is coming up this Sunday. I have a goal for all of you this weekend. Instead of sitting inside with you family watching tv, why don’t you take them outside and play your favorite game. The possiblities are endless, you could play catch with a cousin, go to the park with your aunt and uncle, you could sidewalk chalk with your brothers and sisters. Just find something to do under the sun. Take some fun pictures and share them with your friends at school and also your uplandtale friends. I would love to see what kind of fun ideas you guys came up with your families on Easter!!

Happy Easter!!!

If I were a photographer, I would travel the world taking pictures of all the wonderful sites in Nature. Head outside and see what your “camera” captures!

For this one you’ll need a friend, buddy, parent or sibling.
Materials: Nothing just you and your buddy
Time: About ten minuets
Directions: Ok, here’s what you do. Head outside to a grassy area such as a field or school ground. You are going to act as a photographer on a safari and your partner will act as your camera. Once you get to an area have your partner close his or her eyes. You then lead them to a unique feature in nature. (A flower, leaf cutter pattern or wood line) Make sure that it’s not a feature that moves such as a bird. Position your “camera” to take a “picture” by posing their head arms and legs. Tap your “camera” (gently on the shoulder) to have him open his “shutter”(eyes). They may look only at what is in front of them and only for ten seconds. Once time is up they must close their “shutter” again and are led away by the photographer. Once finished, see if the camera can find his/her “picture” in nature again.

By Cassie Schlender

Tasha Zeinstra with her favorite hunting companion Morgan.

Getting involved in the outdoors can be very fulfilling and life changing. Many feel that being in touch with nature can be incredibly boring and a waste of their time, but sometimes you just have to give it a chance and try it.

College student Tasha Zeinstra has something inspirational to share about how her life has been changed by visiting the outdoors. All it took was one time at the age of 15 when her stepdad took her and her brother deer hunting. Ever since then, she’s been hooked on the sport of hunting.

Tasha has been involved in Minnesota’s Lyon County Pheasants Forever Chapter for three years and is enjoying it immensely. She also helps out with the chapter events, including its annual banquet. Tasha really enjoys helping out with the youth hunt because many kids usually don’t get the chance to be outdoors.

Currently, Tasha is studying law enforcement in Willmar, Minnesota. She will graduate in May 2009. Before going to school in Willmar, Tasha went to school in Sanford, North Carolina, to get certified in training police dogs. She then decided to combine two interests: using K-9 partners and working as a Conservation Officer with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
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In order for flowers to spread their seeds they need to move about. No, not the flowers, the seeds! But, how? I have never seen a flower fling a seed, nor have I ever seen one carry it off to a new location and lovingly plant it with care. I have seen some seeds floating by on wispy clouds of puff from a milkweed, and I have seen a few hitch a ride on an animal’s fur or on my pant leg as I tromp in the field. So, you got it Uplanders, I feel a Challenge coming on!

Here’s what you’ll need….

Materials: 1-2 large Beans (this will act as your seed). Odds and ends from around your house (straws, rubber bands, bits of foil, tissue, Popsicle sticks etc…anything you can find) With permission of course. You’ll also probably need scissors, some tape and glue.
Time: 30 mins (20mins to construct, 10 to test)
Directions: I want you to act as if you were a flower and figure out how you’re going to spread your seeds around. You have 20 minutes to construct some sort of device to make your seed travel the farthest. Here’s the catch, you cannot throw your seed you may only two finger drop it. Your device must do the work, as flowers do not have arms to throw. Once you go into testing mode your feet are “rooted” and cannot move!

Think about how seeds travel now. (Spinners, burrs, floaters, flyers)

What methods are most effective?

How can you incorporate that into your design?

Which of your designs worked the best, and traveled the farthest?

Ok get to work, and let me know how it goes!