Family Programs
A note about registration: Many of our programs fill quickly, so we highly recommend registering on the waiting list. We go to this list first if a space opens up. And by adding your name, you can help us better plan for the programs that are in high demand.
Coming up for families
Owl Prowls 
with Dan Ziomek
Saturday, January 3rd, 6:30 – 9pm
or Friday, January 16th, 6:30 – 9pm
with a bad weather date of Saturday, January 24th
For ages 10 and up
Space is limited; please register now
Sliding Scale: $20, $30, $40
Christmas Bird Count for Kids and Families
Sponsored by Hampshire Bird Club (SOLD OUT!)
Sunday, Dec 14, 2025, 1-3 pm
All Ages Welcome
Free, Space is Limited – Registration Required
Do you want to learn more about birds? Would you like to contribute to science? Join birdwatchers all over America in the Christmas Bird Count (CBC)!
The CBC is a 125-year old event in which bird lovers of all ages and skill levels count all the birds they see in a 24-hour period in December. At this program, there will be something for everyone. We’ll meet at the Hitchcock Center for an indoor program about how to recognize common birds and a story about the history of the Christmas Bird Count. Afterwards, families who are interested may participate in an outdoor bird count, with ID help by Hampshire Bird Club members at the Hitchcock Center bird feeders and beyond. We’ll count every bird we see! Younger participants may decorate “eye focusers” and hit the trails for a self-guided bird scavenger hunt (with paper birds!). Stay as long as you wish. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to a real bird census! This event is rain, slow, sleet or shine. Families may stay and count birds for as much time as they wish but we recommend that you arrive on time for the indoor portion in order to get introduced to the common winter species we are likely to see. Binoculars are welcome but not required.
Past programs for families
Monarch Tagging 
with Jennifer Unkles
all ages
Saturday, September 6, 4-5:30pm
FREE, but registration appreciated
It’s time to tag monarchs before they head south to the overwintering grounds in Mexico. Join Hitchcock Educator Jennifer Unkles who has been tagging monarchs for 25 years, to learn about the monarch’s life cycle, their epic annual migration, how the tagging program works, and tag any monarchs you’re able to catch and release! Bring your family and bring the kids for this hands-on community science tradition!
Monarch Tagging CLASS
with Jennifer Unkles
all ages
Thursday, Sept. 11, 4-5:30pm
Space is limited, registration is required
Donations for materials $10-$25 per family
Celebrate 25 years of this community science tagging program. Get up close to live monarch butterflies, learn how to tag them and release them as well as make your own butterfly net to take home. We will learn how this project helps us understand more about the amazing monarch butterfly migration.
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