No time for photos, but it did really happen.
I was able to park in the overflow parking area, fairly close to the presentation tent.
There were no pull carts available to move over 200 pounds of rocks from my car to the workshop tent, so someone used the side by side.
I had plenty of time to set up because the presenter before me had his workshop (Snakes and Frogs) under a tree.
A previous presenter had left all of her and her kids stuff on 3 of the tables. Some other people had moved 2 tables to partially outside of the tent and were sitting/eating there.
I just moved some stuff, so I had 1 ½ tables.
Tried to set up everything in a logical manner.
Had two volunteers helping. One was a very elderly lady who could barely walk. She said she wanted to help because she used to go rock hunting. Gladys took care of making sure everyone wrote down their name and put it in the box for the door prizes.
The children there were about ages 4-12. About 30 children and adults.
I showed a piece of Fulgerite when talking about safety when rock hunting. When showing items, I walked in front of each child/parent and moved the item around.
Went on to talk about rocks that are used for things. Copper ore and Granite.
What is copper used for? The children named almost everything.
One of the kids said his family found some copper near an old mine in Michigan. Two pieces of nice copper and two pieces of granite were given to some happy children. Later, one of the young children who was sitting on the ground said he just found a piece of red granite with The same “cool” black in it as the one I passed around.
Rocks that get their blue/green color from Copper. Turquoise, Chrysocolla and Malachite. Some were given to children in awe.
Next up was fossils. Briefly explained how they were formed. Showed and gave away some Pet Wood, Shell, Coral, Coprolite, Turritella and Fossil Soup. The children and their parents loved the fossils.
The fossil clam from Ruck’s Pit was a big hit, as were the large pieces of AZ Pet Wood.
Volcanic rocks were a lava bomb from Miladore, WI and Apache Tears. The children were amazed that there used to be volcanoes so close to where we were. Gave a few of those away.
Time for Geodes and T-Eggs. Showed the outside of a T-Egg that was cut in half. Then the inside. Passed that around. Passed around the Geode/T-Egg that is pictured in
1dave Dave’s book. I called that one Charlie the Clown, as the Geode side looks like a clown. Gave away half a T-Egg that looked like a turtle.
Talked about Wisconsin Moonstone. One family there said her Grandparents live near the private property that has this. The owner is now allowing digging trips. There has to be at least 5 people and the cost is $20.00 or $30.00 to get a few pieces.
Gave away a few pieces of that.
Other rocks that were shown and given away were Amethyst, LSA’s, Central Wisconsin Glacial debris and Rutile Quartz.
Not enough time to show everything I brought.
Time for the children to find their own rocks/fossils in the sand bins. They would either guess at what their find was or ask me. Some wanted to keep two of their finds, which I said was OK.
One parent helped me pack everything in bags/boxes at the end. Finished up just in time, as the next presenter needed to set up.
Most of the children and their parents were very attentive and polite. Almost everyone thanked me and said they hoped I would be back next year. Some had been there last year. They said it was something they looked forward to at the Energy Fair.
One kind comment came from someone a little older than me. He brought his Grandchildren. Said he had been a rock collector for over 50 years. Had never seen some of the things I passed around. I noticed he examined some closely, especially the Coprolite.
I love doing this workshop with the children and their families.
It would not happen without the support of RTH members and the items I purchase or are given to share with children.
Will close with some of my favorite quotes from the children.
Copper is really heavy.
(after giving an Amethyst cluster to a 10 year old girl) Really, WOW! Amethyst is my birthstone.
You mean the yellow crystals used to be the clam guts?
Is the lava still hot?
How can I make my rocks shiny?