This year at camp I have had the privilege to be the Nature Director. Being the Nature Director means that I can lead some really cool sessions with kids and be creative to teach them about Nature. My favorite part about Nature is that I am in charge of taking care of the bunnies. I love animals and spending time with the bunnies has been a dream come true.
These furry little balls never cease to brighten my day. This year we have seven bunnies and they all are unique in their own way. We have two albino bunnies named Mellow and Bolt, two caramel bunnies named Twinkie and Nubbler and three multi colored bunnies named Fuzzball, Tone and Emmi. Each of these bunnies have a special place in my heart and I love getting to spend time with them.
So many children have never seen a bunny before. I know as a kid I had never had the chance to hold or pet a bunny outside of camp. Many kids come to the bunnies when they are feeling stressed or just need a break. This makes the bunnies so important to camp Kintail.
I had a young boy who needed a break from his activities so him and his counsellor came to see the bunnies. I happened to be there and feeding them, and he told me that he had never seen a real bunny before. We talked about the different types of bunnies and what they like to eat. He was surprised to find that often I give them apples as a treat. I soon picked up a bunny and he was able to pet Fuzzball. Kids eyes light up when they feel how soft a bunny is. They become so gentle and quiet, something that doesn’t show through at camp a lot. A smile spread across his face and he was so content to hang out with this bunny. This was a perfect Nature moment, as this boy was petting the bunny a chipmunk came out and sat at his feet. He was so happy with these animals around him.
Time with the bunnies gives children the chance to be calm at camp. When life gets busy and at camp it can be the busiest, they have the chance to sit and relax. The world stops for a moment and they get to interact with a bunny. It is a wonderful time and I am so thankful that we can offer this opportunity to children. Bunnies are a way for children to connect and to relax when they need a break. It is a time for learning about something they don’t traditionally learn about and an experience that they will never forget.
Sarah “Lani” Stockford