“Horseshoe crabs and other critters"

with

Dr. David Adamski, Ms Dana DeRoche, Dr. Elmore Brown, Dr. Dennis Bartow

For the first time YEG will travel to Cape Henlopen State Park. We will be staying in Youth Camp II in Dorms.  Accommodations include dorms with central air, mess hall, bath house with showers, and various outdoor amenities.  This park is unique in that it has sand-dunes surrounded by pines and other conifers. The observations at the light and sheet should be spectacular! Dana DeRoche will conduct a field trip to show how to collect spiders and Elmore Brown will conduct a field trip to find the elusive hog-nose snake that plays dead!  Later we will have a communal supper at about 3:30 PM followed by a 5/5:30pm field trip to James Farm Ecological Preserve in Ocean View, DE. Please bring a potluck meal to share with all. There is a large dining area and full kitchen (with no pots though).  Ocean View is about 30 -40 minutes from the lodge by car. Dennis Bartow will conduct a field trip on the horseshoe crab, which isn’t a crab but a close relative of spiders. We will learn about the biology of these “living fossils” and each of our students will have a chance to tag a living specimen. Later we will return to the campground for a fire, making smores, and story time. I am told that Elmore Brown may play his guitar. Dr. Adamski will bring his blacklight and mercury vapor lights to see the night flying organisms.  We should be mindful of ticks and mosquitoes during this trip, as well as bringing sunscreen for the daytime hours. No one will be allowed to James Farm Ecological Preserve without protective footwear.  Please observe the speed limits literally while in the park.  It is heavily enforced by rangers. 

Please RSVP to Christina Factor if you plan to attend.