by Primitive Pursuits Registrar | Jun 11, 2026 | Events, Photo Gallery, Stories
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of joining Ithaca Forest Preschool at their graduation ceremony. Students and families gathered at Trillium Camp, where there was a yummy potluck. The graduating preschoolers each got a large turkey feather necklace as a symbol of their graduation. It was all smiles from the graduates as they shared nice moments with their instructors!
There was also a showcase of the crafts the students had worked on. Parents and families were very excited to see the amazing creations the students had made. This ceremony was also the last preschool celebration for two of our instructors, Fionna and Liz. Thank you Fionna and Liz for your dedication and knowledge these last years at IFP! We will miss you!
by Primitive Pursuits Registrar | Jun 8, 2026 | Events, Stories
This week, Ithaca Forest Pre School took an awesome field trip to Turtle Crossing Wildlife Rehabiltation Farm, which is in-part led by one of our own staff Dina! The farm is nestled in the lively forests of Ellis Hollow and houses varieties of birds, turtles, geese, and other rescued animals. These injured or orphaned animals are rehabilitated for release back into their natural habitat. I was immediately enchanted by the ambient bird chatter and leaves in the wind.
The pre-schoolers were very excited to see the animals and were even able to interact with them! We split into small groups led by our instructors Fionna, Lyla, and Liz, with support from Dina and rehabilitator and founder Cheryl. In one of the stations, we got to visit birds! The birds were very energetic and friendly. The pre-schoolers were ecstatic because they were able to pet baby ducklings! Cheryl also showed us a large habitat for a bird she is rehabilitating that cannot fly. The kids were enamored by the liveliness of the birds.
In another group, we got to step inside the enclosure where baby geese live! The kids got to run around with the baby geese and pet them. These goslings had lost their mother, so they instead would look to Dina for guidance! Nearby the goslings, a sheep and turkeys said hello to us and put on quite the show of noise!
At the final station, the kids got to feed the animals by throwing food in their pond. We also had lots of visitors such as baby chipmunks scurrying nearby.
Student looking at large goose
Kids looking at a baby duck
To close out the day, Dina introduced us to Leo and Pearl, two large tortoises hanging out in a grassy enclosure. They were very friendly, so the kids were able to pet them on their shells and feed them grass. It was a great day interacting with the animals and learning about the rehabilitation work that Cheryl, Dina, and volunteers do to help our wildlife!
Check out more information about Turtle Crossing farm at sites.google.com/turtlecrossingfarm.org
Instagram: turtlecrossing_wrf
Facebook: Turtle Crossing Wildlife Rehabilitation Farm Inc
Check out more photos from the field trip at https://primitivepursuits.com/pre-school-field-trip/
by Isa Goico | May 19, 2026 | Stories
This past Tuesday, I had the pleasure of joining the preschoolers on a sunny hike through the woods. When I crossed the creek to Trillium Camp, the children were munching on snacks and sharing stories. Sitting in a circle on small logs, the kids giggled and bounced with excitement. Instructor Fionna let everyone know that today we would be adventuring outside of camp to find “The perfect white pine branch.”
Once snacks were finished and backpacks were put away, it was time to head out! In pairs, we walked across the beautiful wooden bridge, over the creek, and into the big field by the pole barn. The children held hands and raced through the grass, giggling as they hurried toward the wooded path. We hopped over fallen branches and softly crunched dried leaves beneath our boots. After passing the first white pine tree, we decided to keep searching for an even larger one.
After a few more minutes of walking, taking in the sunlight through the leaves, listening to the sounds of the creek, and admiring the birds overhead, we finally reached our destination. The perfect white pine tree. Its smooth, sturdy limbs reached high above us, and the children remarked on how beautifully patterned the bark was. Instructor Liz marked the tree with a bandana, and the preschoolers will return to visit it later in the year. We then retraced our steps back to Trillium Camp.
On the way back down to camp, one preschooler pointed out an interesting animal track in the mud. We all took turns guessing what it might be. Instructor Fionna, a fantastic animal tracker, identified it as a large dog track. It was amazing to witness the children’s genuine curiosity and excitement as they uncovered this small secret left behind in the mud.
When we returned to camp, we spent some time playing before lunch. The children compared pieces of pine bark they had collected, made mud pies, and played imaginative games beneath the trees. Following Ithaca Forest Preschool this Tuesday, I too felt the magic of being outside. Every new leaf, track, tree, and sound held another story waiting to be uncovered.
Until next time!
Photographer Isa
by Isa Goico | Oct 16, 2025 | Stories
I stopped by Ithaca Forest Preschool last Monday to join students on a wonderful adventure. Seated in their circle, the preschoolers munched on snacks as instructor Monica told a story. Then it was time for the activity—taking care of the “baby trees” in the meadow.
Grabbing buckets and cups from the sandbox, we all set off up the hill. The sun filtered beautifully through the new fall leaves, covering 4-H acres in a golden hue. The children were eager to weed and spread wood chips around the young saplings at the edge of the field.
I asked, “Why do we pull the weeds and grass away?”
One preschooler proudly replied, “To help these trees grow happy!”
Taking turns, the children pulled away the weeds crowding the new trees. Then we all ran to the large wood chip pile to refresh the mulch around each sapling. The kids quickly discovered that they could place the larger woodchip buckets on their backs and pretend to be turtles.
Once all the saplings were cared for, we headed back down the hill for lunchtime. Everyone was smiling and enjoying the crisp fall weather!
by Lyla White | Jun 20, 2025 | Stories
This spring as an end of the year project we made plantain salve with the preschoolers. First they learned about the plant, what it is used for, and how to identify it. Plantain is a great plant to know because it grows commonly in many fields and yards. It is used to help reduce pain and swelling from bee stings, bug bites, minor cuts and scrapes. It can be a real magic plant to have around. After learning about plantain the children harvested many leaves from the field where we gather in the mornings.
After several times gathering and drying the plantain leaves we were ready to infuse the olive oil. This part I did at home, because it required a long consistent low heat. The result was a beautiful green oil. Next we grated beeswax to make it easier to melt. Now it was finally time to make the salve. We melted the wax using a hot water bath over a camp stove and then added the plantain infused oil. Once it was thoroughly mixed and still hot, I poured the salve into small tins.
The children each decorated their own label and during our final day celebration we displayed them all in a plantain altar. It was a really fun project to do in very small parts over a few weeks with the preschoolers. They were all very excited and proud to show off and try out their salve.
by Isa Goico | Apr 9, 2025 | Stories
It was a lively day today at preschool. I came down the hill as the kids enjoyed their snack break by a beautiful warm fire. Gwen read to the kids as they munched on orange slices, crackers, and other delicious foods. My presence was met with waves and smiles with one kiddo remarking “You’re the camera Lady!” I was so happy that they remembered me from my last visit. Another exclaimed, “I’ve never met a REAL photographer before.” I was so excited to join them for a morning of games in the light snow. This time the kids were less shy and began to ask me questions about my job and photos. Whenever a child found a particularly gnarly stick, or hugged their friend, they sang out, “Isa take a photo of this!” Below are a few selections of kid directed photos (Which always turn out to be my favorite). Soon it was time to put mittens back on and transition to the day’s activity. Everyone was anxious to open a clear bin filled with beautiful colored scarves and fabrics. Taking turns, they wrapped scarves around trees in a small circle. Kids played chickadee birds and called each other to signal switching trees before whoever was “it” reached their abandoned tree. Fionna was there whenever kids needed a refresher on the rules. Some were so excited, they ran without remembering to call their friends! Rules or no rules, it was clear the game was a hit. With red cheeks and big smiles, the kids ran and giggled until it was time to slide back down the climbing hill. Another fun filled day in the woods!
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