Welcome to Ping and Echo, a daily newsletter that links to one amazing podcast episode that is guaranteed to be a great listen for kids and their families. Each newsletter includes links to articles, videos and activities related to the podcast so you can turn every episode into an adventure.
Today’s podcast episode is from Rumble Strip and focuses the voices and stories of loggers who still log by hand across New England. A lot of kids’ stories feature lumberjacks, but too often the reality of what it is like to log by hand today looks very different than those stories. (Note: this podcast might be best for the older kids in the audience, see below). In this podcast there is a wonderful set of voices and a real intimacy and deep knowledge of the land and tools that comes through in the interviews. Many of those interviewed for this story have been in this line of work for many generations. Towards the end of the episode there is a thoughtful conversation about how the loss of a small local profession like logging by hand, can reshape our communities and our land.
Podcast: Rumble Strip
Episode: Logging By Hand
URL: https://www.rumblestripvermont.com/2019/06/logging-by-hand/
Length: 17 minutes
🧐 You Should Know
I’ll always give you a heads up if there is anything in the podcast that might surprise or worry kids. This one may not be suitable for our youngest friends out there. The opening story include a mention of a logger who died, and a later story includes discussion of a logger who gets hurt on the job and describes a bloody scene. Both pass quick and aren’t overly gory, but you should assess your kids’ comfort. It didn’t bother us (ages 8, 11, and 42) but it might bother others.
💡 Try This
After you listen to the episode you can sink your ax into these topics with the links and activities below:
How to Have a Lumberjack Competition With Your Kids - My Kid Adventures
How to Make a Duct Tape Battle Axe - Instructables
Join a community tree planting project - Arbor Day Foundation
🔎 Explore More
Read up on history of logging in New England with these links:
King of the Log Drives: The New England Riverman - New England Historical Society
As forestry dwindles, clear-cuts and houses follow - NBC News
Where does your wood come from? You might be surprised - Forest Society
The name Ping and Echo comes from sonar technology which relies on sending out “pings” and receiving back “echos” to discover the world around you. You can send us pictures of the art and activities created by your kids. Email them to pingandecho@gmail.com and we’ll post all your echos on our Instagram and our Twitter page.
Thanks for lending us your ears and your inbox.
Ruby, Josh, and Toby