April 20, 2026
Important Dates…
Monday, April 20: Overfield Summer Camp brochure published.
Tuesday, April 21: Meeting for families enrolled in Kindergarten-3rd Grade for 2026-27, 6 p.m. in the Gathering Place.
Sunday, April 26: Overfield at the Dayton Dragons, 1:05 p.m. at Day Air Ballpark.
Friday, May 1: School-wide Night Hike, 6:30 p.m. beginning at the Gathering Place. Campout for 1st-3rd families only in the Meadow after the Night Hike.
Monday, May 4: Overfield Summer Camp registration opens, 8 a.m. on the Overfield website.
Monday, May 11-Friday, May 15: Week-long residency with The Guitar Man, Jim McCutcheon.
Thursday, May 14: OFP Picnic, 5:30 p.m. on the Overfield Playground. Concert with visiting artist, Jim McCutcheon, 6:30 p.m. on the Overfield Playground.
Insights from the World of Words and Melodies
A Spring Story
With the coming of spring, it seems all things are possible. The earth is pulsating with new life and responds with a resounding embrace, giving its blessing for Mother Nature to do what she does so well. For me, it has sparked a series of recollections of shared, rich moments with Overfield children over the years. There is one that stands out prominently in my reflections that had its beginning in the springtime many years ago. I would like to tell you about it.
Inspired and concerned for the welfare of the birds after a long winter, a small group of children decided they wanted to assist them by building nests. They noticed the abundance of robins and focused on them. They examined old nests and saw that these winged architects had used dried grasses, leaves, bits of straw, twigs, and dirt to construct them. Off we went to gather the needed supplies combining everything with water. You can imagine the scene, right? Children up to their elbows in mud, smiling and stirring the concoction like master sorcerers or experienced masons. While they were working, they talked about how grateful the birds would surely be to discover nests already waiting for them.
Next came the task of fashioning the nests out of this muddy, grassy mixture. But how? The children had many ideas which were tested over and over again, summoning all their problem solving skills. They eventually realized they needed a sturdy form to hold the wet ingredients while the nests could dry. But what? Small cardboard boxes? Cups? Bowls? Yes, bowls! Working in teams of two, they scooped, patted, pressed, and shaped the mixture into strong paper bowls, and then they waited. While waiting for the nests to dry, they researched where to place the nests so the robins would find them. Meanwhile, the children talked continually about how the bird couples would respond upon finding the prepared nests waiting for them and what the birds might say to one another. The excitement and anticipation grew everyday. The placement of the nests was quite an event. The mere physical challenges were something to deal with, since neither children nor I are tall. We managed by the children climbing trees, me lifting the children, or us hoisting the nests up with sticks. Again, came the waiting.
We visited the locations every day the children were at school, waiting to see what would occur. Over the next couple weeks, all of the nests, with the exception of one, had fallen out of the trees because of wind or rain, or they simply disappeared. One theory was that the birds preferred another location for their home and took those with them. The last, remaining nest had been thoughtfully placed in the Climbing Trees. We hoped that its secure placement and protection from the elements would give it a greater chance of survival. It also gave the children a clear view of the nest through the branches.
A short while later, my own enthusiasm waning a bit, we returned to the nest. Its edges had broken and fallen away in places, and its once-apparent bowl shape was indistinguishable. What remained was a flimsy foundation composed mostly of sticks and twigs. And yet, there she was! Seated regally upon the rough remains of the nest, was a beautiful mourning dove. In my estimation, she was the most spectacular bird I had ever seen. All I could think was, “Thank you. Thank you.” The children squealed, I cried, and the bird flew away. Fortunately, she returned not long after. We hid in the background and watched how she rearranged the twigs and fussed with the nest. We returned everyday to visit her, a bit wiser and quieter when we approached. The children talked to her saying how much they loved her, they sang to her words of encouragement. Then, lo and behold, one day an egg appeared, then another, and another! Three stunningly beautiful eggs–symbols of life, of hope, and of young children’s unwielding belief in what is possible–lay in the nest. Next came one baby bird, then another, then a third! Witnessing the growth of these babies was absolutely breathtaking for us. By this time, the mama mourning dove didn’t even flinch when we came close. She seemed to know the children were there not to harm them, but were there in awe and admiration. The children watched these little birds grow from naked hatchlings to nest-bound nestlings to feathered fledglings. They were a wonder to behold.
Then one day after a long weekend away from school, we visited again. The nest was empty. No mama, no babies, no physical evidence of what we had experienced. The children didn’t seem upset or worried. It was a moment of joy, actually. After all, that’s what baby birds do: they hatch, they grow, they fly away. But, at that moment in time, there was no remaining evidence that told the story of this particular journey, just a broken down nest with a few bits of feathers and twigs in it. Yet, our shared memories and experiences had not failed us, and we now had this remarkably beautiful story in our hearts forever: the story of a group of young children who knew they could help the birds, and they did.
Carla Briggs – Librarian/Music Lead
Please join us for our annual spring Night Hike on Friday, May 1st from 6:30-7:30 p.m. hosted by our first through third grade classes! The hike will begin at the Gathering Place doors, where maps will be available to guide you along the trail. After you visit the various animal-themed stations please enjoy a self guided scavenger hunt through the preserve to learn about some of the local plants and animals that call our campus home. After your hike join your friends at the fire pit to roast marshmallows and enjoy a lovely spring evening outdoors!
Please note–the overnight portion of the program is for current 1st-3rd grade families only. Thank you for your understanding!
The Overfield organic veggie garden is coming along nicely, and we know it’s going to grow like crazy this summer! The children have been busy amending soil, planting, weeding, and tasting the goodies that have popped up so far! By August, it will be a beautiful space in which children can learn and snack when they return to school.
We are looking for families to sign up for a Sunday-Saturday shift to help keep our garden thriving and producing throughout the summer. Below you’ll find a link to sign up to help keep our garden amazing all summer long.
Expectations are to weed, search for insects on plants, groundhog openings in the fence, and make sure the garden is getting watered. Volunteers usually stop in a few times during their scheduled week.
Overfield Garden Summer Volunteer Signup
Thank you, Robin Ramsey
