The quiet, steady presence of trees makes them powerful teachers. Trees invite us all to slow down, look closely, and discover a whole world just above our heads and under our feet. That spirit of close observation and wonder has been the foundation for a summer of hands-on learning fun using Tree Trekkers, the reading adventure toolkit from Start with a Book all about trees!
Every summer, programs serving children and youth in the metro DC area put Start with a Book resources into action. When the team at WETA’s Reading Rockets and Start with a Book provided resources and trained educators from Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC) in Arlington, Virginia, we knew they would find amazing ways to use Tree Trekkers and recommended books to give students opportunities to explore outdoors, engage their senses, and see the flora and fauna in their neighborhoods in a new light.
AHC develops affordable housing and provides a wide array of educational programs and social services, including a robust Summer Camp program. These summer programs used Start with a Book and Tree Trekkers to help their students branch out with great books and hands-on activities and make fresh discoveries about the natural world. Below, AHC Resident Engagement Education Specialists share how Tree Trekkers enriched summer learning for students at The Apex, Woodbury Park, and Harvey Hall.
— Rachael Walker, Reading Rockets’ Book Life
Tree Trekkers in Nature by Isabella Molano, Resident Engagement Specialist, Education at The Apex
This summer at Apex’s AHC summer camp, students gained a newfound respect and knowledge for the trees and nature they see in their own community every day. We started with the basics – and of course we started with a book! We read Looking for Peppermint: Or Life in the Forest by Maxwell Eaton. It was useful title to remind kids of all the wonderful things they can find when they let themselves get a little lost in nature. After handing out our Tree Trekker journals, students drew and labeled the parts of a tree and then went outside to observe the real thing. In true scientist fashion, we had our field guides in tow and students explored their own backyard and matched the trees they saw to the ones they could find in the Peterson First Guide to Trees by George A. Petrides. We talked about the purpose of a field guide and how to use one, and the kids had fun creating their own versions, sketching the leaves and trees that are native to our home of northern Virginia.
These activities helped foster a sense of appreciation for trees but also helped the kids to be more keen observers. What does the bark look like? What kind of fruits or acorns does this tree produce? What is the habitat of this tree? Is it native to this area or was it brought from somewhere else and planted here because of the way it looks? All these and more questions arose, and students expressed their creativity and curiosity in their Tree Trekker journals. With the help of books and the magic of nature, our Tree Trekkers had a fun and adventurous outdoor summer, proving that just like Peppermint, you can get lost in the forest no matter where you are!
Rooted in Learning by Sigrid Edstrom, Resident Engagement Specialist, Education at Woodbury Park
Each Tuesday, the Woodbury Park summer camp would gather for an hour to learn about trees and the several ways they affect the world around us. We began by drawing pictures of trees from memory. Oddly enough, not one tree in the classroom looked identical! This was the steppingstone to our summer long discussion: each tree is different and serves a different purpose in the world. Whether we were learning about tree biology, types of trees, how they build the homes in our communities, or even how they are homes to many kinds of animal friends, Start with a Book was a necessary resource for a dynamic understanding of trees. We learned about tree science, literature, and history (yes, even history!), and the importance of planting new trees as well as preserving old ones. The Woodbury Park campers are certified Tree Trekkers, and have gained a new appreciation for nature’s ultimate resource.
Under the Trees at Harvey Hall by Norma Hernandez, Resident Engagement Specialist, Education at Harvey Hall
This summer at Harvey Hall, our K–5 students had a blast learning about trees. We focused on the trees all around us, their leaves, bark, roots, and the shade they provide, and how they support our healthy ecosystem. Students learned to notice leaf shapes and veins, compare bark textures, and connect what lives in and around trees, from birds to insects.
On our walks to the nearby nature center, students remain focused to spot their favorite trees and insects. We also observed the life those trees support, such as butterflies, crickets, grasshoppers, frogs, turtles, and the occasional snake at a safe distance. Read‑aloud time kept curiosity high, a favorite title was Be Thankful for TREES by Harriet Ziefert and Brian Fitzgerald, a beautifully illustrated look at how trees support people, animals, and our planet. Students also learned about tree growth rings, the layers inside a trunk that can indicate a tree’s age and even hint at rainy or dry years.
On our nature walks, students used the Tree Trekkers Tree Parts Scavenger Hunt to search for different kinds of trees, compare bark textures (smooth, rough, peeling), and identify leaves by shape and veins. They checked off their finds, made quick sketches, and shared what they noticed together under the shade.
At the end of each day, while waiting for their parents, students took time to water Harvey Hall’s plants. They enjoy the simplicity of caring for the center’s plants— a small but meaningful way to contribute, reflect, and feel rooted in their community.
Resources
Start with a Book: Tree Trekkers
Start with a Book: Nature: Our Green World
