2026 Summer Adventure Gallery: July 19–25

I draw a giraffe, a lion, and a zebra. I draw a sunset, grass, rocks, gates, mountains, and trees.

Read a book to my baby sister and showed her how to turn the page.

I sewed some scrunchies. One of them is a normal scrunchie, and the other is a patchwork scrunchie. It took a me a while to sew the fabric pieces together for the patchwork one, but it was worth it. I love how unique the patchwork scrunchie is.

I made a butterfly!

I rode my new e-bike from Hayward to Union City.

I went fishing in in the Florida Keys! It was so fun, I caught 5 fish and we got to cook and eat them. It was an amazing adventure, full of snorkeling, camping, fishing and sailing.

My mom helped me use my crayons to draw pictures of a fish, a bunny, and a cat!

Buddy is a red heeler mix who was adopted from Merced Animal Shelter when he was 4 months old. He had already been returned to them once, maybe because he sometimes thought people were livestock and nipped at their shoes! He greeted me with a perfect downward dog, and we've been yoga buddies ever since. As he grew, it became obvious that something was wrong with his left front leg: the doctor thought that when he was a puppy, Buddy's ulna and radius had become fused together during an accident. He had a surgery and spent the next 6 months in a cast - not easy for a wriggly pup who loves action! Buddy loves to zoom around on trails and can catch any ball or frisbee that is thrown. He lies on his back and waits for belly rubs, but sometimes he falls asleep with all four paws in the air.

Hi everyone, My name is Michael. For this Summer Adventure Entry 2026, I learned about the Penguins of Antarctica, and how they prepare for hatchlings and their new younglings, for all of the winter months! Since Antarctica is below the Equator, during the months of June, July and August, the annual winter season is beginning. All of the nests are being prepared, and these Penguins are eating enough to survive the winter months in Antarctica. My wish is that as I continue this Summer Adventure, I learn more about animals, and how these creatures have been thriving, for hundreds of generations! Thank you.

We read "All you can be with ADHD". Clark's mommy has ADHD, and his mommy says ADHD can be genetic, so we wanted to learn more about ADHD and the gifts and powers it brings! Clark read the book with his momma and his mommy and will continue to learn more about neurodiversity and the powers those who are neurodiverse has whether or not he ends up diagnosed with ADHD!

I got to visit my friends’ house and play with their pets! They have three dogs—a German shepherd named Chelsea, two corgis named Kappi and Sesame—and a cat named Coco. I LOVE playing with dogs—puppies are my favorite animal!

Picture Book - The Animals Speak: The Lakota way by S.D. Nelson. A cute picture book of animals, their Lakota name , with pronunciations, and how they teach about life. FROG - GNASHKA (guh-nah-SKAH). Transforms from tadpole to frog. Shows us that we make many changes in our life too. Helps children and adults that animal’s with their characteristics and capabilities can help us understand life.

I meditate on the porch at night under the stars. The noises are so different then the day. The frogs and crickets are so loud. It is calming and while the birds are quiet you can hear the occasional flapping of bat wings.

I made a floor puzzle!

I went into my backyard and looked at all the bugs I found there! Ants, spiders, earthworms, and my favorite — roly polies!