Education Program News

This summer has been filled with exciting educational programs. Check out the pictures below to see what we have been up to!

Can you guess the theme for this Friday Family Hike based on the picture above? If you guessed TREES you are correct. We stopped along the trail and played fun activities that taught participants a little more about trees.  This photo was taken after we imagined what it might be like to go from a tiny seed to a HUGE tree like this. We discussed all of the things that trees provide to humans…clean air, toilet paper, building materials, nail polish…etc. There are many reasons we should be grateful for trees. So, have you hugged a tree today to say THANKS? Well, what are you waiting for?

The photos above and below were taken during our weekly Nature Treks program at the REC department. These are the monuments that the kids created during a game in which they were competing to build the first monument on the moon. The rules were similar to capture the flag with the added challenge of taking building materials from the opposing team and creating a monument. Everyone had a blast!

We look forward to seeing you at one of our programs!

A Rockin' Good Time Was Had by All!

On Saturday, July 14, nineteen happy contestants joined us on the shore of Corcoran Pond for our 2nd Annual Rey Center Rock Skipping Contest! Plinkers, pittypats, plonks and gerplunkers abounded as each contestant stepped up to the edge of the pond to show off their skipping skills with their chukker. The best skip of the day occurred during the skip-off for third place in the Hopper division (ages 7-13) when Owen Sheehan came up with 8 skips! The winners in each division are pictured below.

Many thanks to our fantastic judges: Nichole Foster, Ray Kucharski and Dotti Larsson! The day would not have been possible without them. Huge thanks also goes to Jeremy "Rock-it" Phillips for emceeing the contest and to Jordann Landa for volunteering to be our scorecard runner!

Participants warming-up before the contest by cooling off in the Pond while our judges (with yellow hats) discuss their criteria and tactics for the day!

A few nice plinkers!

The New Face at the Rey Center

The Rey Center recently welcomed its newest staff member, Greg LaShoto.  Greg comes to the Rey Center as part of his work at Plymouth State University, where he is beginning a Masters program in Environmental Science and Policy.  Despite having seen all sorts of official paperwork, when his first full day at work began with being given a banana costume to wear, Greg was slightly suspicious that this entire enterprise was a very long and elaborate prank.

Prior to the PSU, Greg worked at a small chocolate company near Boston, MA, and while he enjoys working outdoors and with new people, he does miss the free chocolate and public transit options.  

When not at the Rey Center or in class, Greg can often be found hiking in the White Mountains, running the nordic trails of Waterville Valley, or trying to organize an Ultimate Frisbee game.  Greg has been overwhelmed by the warm reception he has received so far from the entire Waterville Valley community and is looking forward to spending the next few years learning along side all of you!

A Face Everyone Should Love

 Look at that face – now that is a face not only a mother should love, but everyone should love. Maybe you will agree with me after learning a bit more about barn swallows.

From talking to some long-time Waterville Valley residents, I learned that our barn swallow colony is likely descended from the colony that lived under the eaves of the historic Waterville Inn. This colony of birds has been making Waterville Valley their summer home for many years and it is for many of the same reasons that you make Waterville Valley your summer home!