2010 Reelfoot Refuge Romp

Credit: USFWS

Credit: USFWS

More pictures coming soon!

July 20th, 21st, and 22nd, 2011 was an exciting three days for 22 kids ages 9 to 12. The Reelfoot Refuge Romp is a FREE three day camp from 10am-2pm where youth learn about many different topics that deal with the outdoors.

On July 20th, the Rompers gathered at the Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge visitor center for registration. To start, the Rompers watched a short film about National Wildlife Refuges, and then went outside to learn about mammals and reptiles. Each Romper was able to feel live animal furs and skulls, such as white-tail deer, red fox, beaver, coyote, etc. A live painted turtle was also passed around for children to see and touch. The 21 Rompers then hiked around the refuge and collected leaves for tree identification, such as the tulip poplar, white oak, water oak, bald cypress, etc. and pressed their leaves in field presses. The Rompers were issued backpacks that had items in them such as binoculars, field presses, magnifying glasses, bug viewers, activity cards and guides for identifying leaves, birds, flowers, etc. Rompers were also able to to decorate their own nature journals to take home with them. Animal track moldings were also made by each Romper to take home.

July 21st, the Rompers met at the Reelfoot Lake State Park and were shown live birds of prey and snakes. The Rompers were able to view a live snake feeding to see how certain snakes killed their prey. After viewing the snakes and birds of prey, the Rompers walked the board walk to identify certain types of plants, such as poison ivy, virginia creeper, lizard tail, duck weed, pickerel weed, ect. The kids enjoyed dissecting owl pellets to see what owls ate, and were able to view a variety of small bones found within the owl pellets.

Lastly, on July 22nd, the Rompers met at the Reelfoot Lake State Park again. State Park staff took us out on a pontoon boat cruise to learn about aquatic plants such as the American Lotus, Spatterdock, Buttonbush, Swamp Loosestrife, Cutgrass, etc. After the cruise, each Romper was issued a dip net and a container to collect macro-invertebrates. The Rompers had a blast collecting macro-invertebrates! Once the macro-invertebrates were collected, the Rompers learned how to identify several different invertebrates such as damsilfy and dragonfly larvae, water scorpions, blood worms and many more. At the end of the day, each Romper was given a Reelfoot Refuge Romp t-shirt, along with a goody bag filled with a variety of different items.

All in all, the Rompers, as well as Refuge Ranger Tara Dowdy and Reelfoot Lake State Park staff had a great time!

Thanks to the 22 Rompers who participated; Logan Haynes, Lainey Barker, Trevor Carter, Austin Moore, Garrett Moore, Jay Ramsy, Caylee Weddington, Rebekah Adams, Ebernay McCage, Briley Coffey, Micah Smith, Dayton Thompson, Corey Hines, Christopher Bell, Conner Whaley, Ali Whaley, Brennon Whaley, Carter Swain, Alec Leake, Colby Priest, Tyler Marks, Savannah Marks. Thanks to the parents/guardians of these youth for bringing them each day!