Pond dipping in Hampstead Heath

This fall, Ally and Joshua and I enjoyed an afternoon of "Rookie Rangers", a outdoors explorers program:

Hampstead Heath City of London Rookie Rangers Education Program

We were a small group of 7ish to 12ish year olds, a few parents, and 3 fantastic, energetic leaders.

We played get to know you games, field games, and then ventured into a gated area of the Heath where there is a pond.  Into this pond the children dipped nets and then dumped the contents into white trays.  Imagine their joy to discover all kinds of critters squirming, swimming, and living in their pond water.

There were laminated papers which listed common critters so that we could identify them.

After pond dipping, the children took large nets into the forest area to see what types of insects they could capture, study and release...

I love it!  In one of the biggest cities in the world, we can escape and find solace in nature.  There are amazing green spaces right in central London.  Hamstead Heath is often referred to as the "Lungs of London"!