With two weeks off from school for winter recess, it’s easy for boredom to set in. The holiday toys have already been given their test run and cast aside, video games have become tedious, and there doesn’t seem to be anything on television. There’s been no shortage of activities in Cornwall and the youth are taking full advantage.
The Hudson Highlands Nature Museum offered a three-day mini camp from Dec. 29 to 31.
On Monday, environmental educator Carl Heitmuller had a group of youngsters play a game of Sharp Eyes.
Four girls stood side by side across from four boys. Each child had to change three or four things about their appearance – such as pull a sock down, remove a sneaker, or put a sweater on in reverse – and their partner had to guess what’s different.
The exercise was to see how observant the kids are, in preparation for the introduction of the first animal – the rabbit, which also has keen eyesight.
Before unveiling Peter, the Netherland Dwarf Rabbit, Heitmuller offered three clues to the identity of the “critter.”
First he asked what is a mammal: they have hair or fur (this animal is covered in fur), they give birth to live young, and are fed milk. Then he asked what is an herbivore: an animal which only eats plants. Rabbits eat grass, twigs, clover, and flowers. Contrary to popular belief, carrots can make a rabbit sick and possibly die. The third clue, Heitmuller said this animal is very fast and has a tendency to hop. The last clue was a dead giveaway.
Before allowing Peter to roam the small circle created by the children, he explained how the rabbit uses its senses as a means of survival.
As a prey animal, the rabbit is hunted as food by other animals such as the hawk, coyote, and fox.
The rabbit has long ears with muscles at the base which allows it to hear in all directions. The eyes at either side of its head allows the rabbit to see predators sneaking up from behind. The rabbit also has a keen sense of smell. Its brown fur serves as camouflage so it can blend into bushes.
Monday afternoon, the Cornwall Public Library had a special Family Build It event.
At any one time, two dozen children, plus their parents, crowded into the community room. In a pile at the center of the room were Lego of various blues, yellows, reds, whites, blacks, and green.
Some kids went off on their own to construct boats, cars, houses, and even space ships. Others received help from their parents.
Autumn and her son Sonny were first-time visitors to the library and Lego beginners. He was more interested in the people, horses, and cars, rather than the individual pieces.
On the other side of the room were Meghann Chyla and her two sons, Noah and Elijah, both Lego veterans.
On Tuesday, families were invited back to the library to play various board games.
At one table a couple of kids were getting some help, from youth librarian Lisa SinClair, completing a “Pirates of the Caribbean” puzzle. At another, a trio were playing a children’s version of “The Game of Life.”
Sisters Patricia and Karlee King selected Hi Ho Cherry O from a stack of games which included Upwards, Chutes and Ladders, Boggle, Monopoly, Battleship, Scrabble, Cranium, Trivial Pursuit, and more. The sisters are regular visitors to the library, participating in a variety of programs. They even have the schedule memorized.
On the other side of the room, Noah Droz introduced himself and shook the hands of his opponent as he prepared to sit down for a game of chess. Droz is a member of the Cornwall-on-Hudson Elementary School Chess Club. He seemed to be holding his own against his slightly older opponent.
Both activities are offered at least once a month, but SinClair said parents made a special request for them to be held during the winter break.
