My Rainforest Journal

Our Sister Site is now Live!

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Van Horsen) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:32:00 +0000

While I appreciate you taking the time to explore my site, I would like to remind you tht our sister site - Forever Forest Group is now live.

We have not added a lot o informaton to that site yet, but it will be the future home of the rainforestkid and the rest of my Forever Forest Group friends.

So please be sure to check them out!

Jungle Jordan

Taking time to help others

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Van Horsen) — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 20:19:00 +0000

I hope everyone is having a happy holidays. Over winter break from school, I have had the opportunity to donate my time to help out at the Salvation Army with my brother and grandfather. We helped to pull bags of toys for distribution to needy families. It was a really great thing to do for those that need a little extra help this time of year, and it was also pretty fun!

I hope everyone can take some time this coming year to take some time out and do something nice for someone that needs it.

The following is an article the Alton Telegraph wrote about our volunteering and the Salvation Army's Toy Give-Away.

Volunteers help Salvation Army help others
By CYNTHIA M. ELLIS, The Telegraph

ALTON - Red and green plastic bags filled with toys were lined up by the hundreds Wednesday at the Salvation Army, awaiting distribution to needy families.

Nine-year-old Jordan and her 7-year-old brother, Colin, found the bag they were looking for with a little help from their grandfather, Steve Shedd, 55, of Godfrey.

Shedd, a professor at Principia College in Elsah, brought his grandchildren with him to volunteer during the Salvation Army's annual Toy Giveway."They are off school right now and really wanted to do something to help out," Shedd said. Although this is his first year volunteering at Christmas, Shedd said it was not the first time he donated his labor to the nonprofit organization. He said that during the school year, he brings college students to the Salvation Army to help individuals with filling out job applications and putting together resumes.

He said another reason he chose to help out the organization is that his father has served as a board member for more than 50 years in his home state of Massachusetts."He received an 'Others Award' for his years of service," Shedd said.

Stacy Boyer, a social service worker, said the Salvation Army served 579 families, or 2,738 individuals, during this year's two-day giveaway. "(Volunteers) start bagging everything up the day after Thanksgiving," Boyer said.

She said the Salvation Army identifies the families through an application process with proof of income and expenses. She said some families receive toys and food, while some receive only food. The red and green garbage bags that filled the gymnasium were coded and tagged, which made it easier for volunteers to find everything.

Capt. Randy Tooley said this is the first Christmas event he has been a part of since arriving in Alton more than five months ago. "I worked it at other places I've served at, but not here," Tooley said. He said he noticed the number of volunteers who help out during times of need. "If it weren't for them, we couldn't make this happen," he said. Not only do volunteers give out toys and wrapping materials, they also share themselves.

First-year volunteers Marty Ramirez, 71, of Alton, and Eric Fry, 40, of Moro, said they enjoyed spending the day helping others. Fry said volunteering holds special meaning to him. "The Salvation Army helped my father out years ago when he was hurting for money," he said. Fry said his father went to an agency that told him he would need to repay any assistance he received. He said his father then approached the Salvation Army. "They offered him food and clothes, and when he asked if he needed to repay it, they told him no," he said. "He never forgot their generosity." He said that once his father got back on his feet, he started donating to the charity that helped him.

Fry said his father taught him the value of giving to others, so that is why he decided to volunteer. Fry said he always has given money to the organization and that, for the past two years, he has volunteered during Thanksgiving, so he thought it was time to help out during Christmas, which is the organization's busiest time of year.

Pat Johnson, 70, of Godfrey, said she volunteered because members of her church, Main Street United Methodist Church, are involved. "This is such a needy organization," she said. "To see the outpouring of love that is given, I think that's what makes this event so special." Jordan, of Chesterfield, Mo., said she definitely would volunteer again. "It helps out a good cause," she said. "Plus, I like searching around for the bags."

Happy New Year!

Jungle Jordan

Welcome Another Rainforest Kid!

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Van Horsen) — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 02:38:00 +0000

I would like to welcome Dylan to the Rainforestkid.com family. Dylan was one of the 3 winners, of the trip to the Monte Verde Rainforest this year. Dylan had a great time, and has passed along this drawing he did there. Dylan has also written a great short article of the time he spent there.

"...What I hoped to discover at the Rain Forest was an unnamed bug which was exactly what happened! You see, there was this strange bug that had the back end of a caterpillar and the wings of a butterfly and the front body of a wasp."

It's a great read, and you can find the rest of it here.

Thanks

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Van Horsen) — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 00:35:00 +0000

Thank you to everyone that has read about my project in the childrens edition
of the Sentinal and has visited my website. I've really enjoyed hearing from everybody.

I have been updating my website, and have added my radio interview for download in the Fun Stuff section. I am also working to put up links to other websites that support saving the rainforests.

A special thanks to Mrs. Jean Ponzi for allowing me to offer my radio interview for download. visit her website at http://www.kdhx.org/programs/earthworms.htm .

If you want to learn more about the rainforest visit Mrs.Crandell's website for the Monteverde Conservation League U.S. at: http://www.mclus.org/ and to donate directly to the rainforest go to http://www.mclus.org/give/donate-now/ and mention Jungle Jordan sent you!

I'm also working on a crossword puzzle for my website.
jungle jordan

More Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Van Horsen) — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 01:53:00 +0000

I have gotten to add a few more updates now. I will add more things from my journal and new things I learn. I also hope to add some of the powerpoints I have made about my trip to Costa Rica. I hope to do a fact of the week when I get more time on the computer. Check back often for more things.

Picture

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Van Horsen) — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 00:15:00 +0000

This is a picture I drew when I was at the San Gerardo Field Station. I drew it at night when the lights where off so I had to use my flashlight. It has a buttress root tree on the left and a strangler fig tree on the right with another tree in front of it. The bird on the bottom right is a Bay Headed Tanager that we saw when Mark was showing us birds. The big bird on the left is one I made up because I really liked the colors together. I imagine he lives in the rainforest and maybe some day I will discover him.

Jungle Jordan

Second Solo

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Van Horsen) — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 01:43:00 +0000

This is some rainforest dirt smudges from when I tried to do a leaf print. I found a leaf on my second solo that I wanted to make a print of because I thought it was cool. The leaf rubbing didn’t come out so now I have dirt smudges in my journal to remember my second solo.

My First Solo

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Van Horsen) — Sat, 03 Dec 2005 00:40:00 +0000

I heard lots of bird sounds during my first solo. Such as mra-mra and we-a-hoo-hoo. The picture is from my journal where I wrote down the different sounds I heard and some of the things I saw. My first solo was really special because I got to sit quiet and see the forest. I got to see an agouti which was amazing!! I had a perfect view of the canopy from the small trees below me. I really liked the spot and got to share it with my family later when we did a night hike. When I go back to the rainforest I want to visit that spot again and see if anything has changed and what animals are there now.

Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Van Horsen) — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 23:25:00 +0000

My fundraiser is now over so I hope to have more time for my website. School keeps me busy and I am working on a presentation with Mrs. Strand. Check back again and I hope to have more soon.

Jordan

Im back!

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Van Horsen) — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 03:08:00 +0000

Dear Readers,

I just got back from Costa-Rica late last night. I had a wonderful trip and I really enjoyed it. It was such a wonderful experience for just an eight year old to have. Over the next week or so, we will be adding pictures and more information about my trip. So check back soon!

Tonight, I had an interview with a radio show called Earthworms. We talked about my adventure in the rainforest, what we did, what we heard, what our favorite part was ect. If you would like to listen to the interview , go to KDHX.org. I would like to thank Jean Ponzi for having me.

We are still working on the Pampered Chef fundraiser. The date for the event is Saturday, September 24th. If you would like receive more information about this event, please send me an email through the contact form, and I will send it along as I learn more.

And remember, if you would like to buy a bracelet, or donate to my project, please contact me using this form.

Thanks, Jungle Jordan

Edit: The recording of Jordan's interview has been removed from the KDHX website. If you would like a copy, please send a message through the contact form, and we will send you downloading instructions. Thanks.

Great News

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Van Horsen) — Thu, 04 Aug 2005 00:22:00 +0000

I just found out that my teacher is coming to Costa Rica with me! My teachers name is Mrs. Strand. She teaches 2nd grade at the Principia Lower School. She is a very good teacher. I am very happy that she is coming.

If you would like to contribute to my rain forest fund or just want to say hi, you can contact me by filling out the form on the contact page.

I will be having a pampered chef party when I get back from my trip to raise money for the rain forest. I will be putting more info about the party as it gets closer.

Jordan

We are working on being able to sell the bracelets through Jordan's the website. Unfortunetly, we haven't got all the kinks worked out yet, so if you would like to purchase a braclet, please fill out the form on the contact page and we will get back to you. Thanks! - Jordan's Dad

Jagy

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Van Horsen) — Sat, 23 Jul 2005 13:53:00 +0000

When we were studying the rainforest in our class we each studied an animal. My animal was a jaguar. My friends and I decided to write letters to our animals. My jaguars name was Jagy.

Facts

When I found out I was going to Costa Rica, Jagy told me on a letter.
Jagy can write!
and more to come!

Welcome To My Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Van Horsen) — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 01:16:00 +0000

I am at home, thinking what it will be like in Costa-Rica. I ask myself questions. Some like:

What will I do there?
What will I see?
After the trip, Would I ever get to go again?
Will it be fun?

What would your answers be?