Afterschool 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.
Afterschool Programs Winter 2025
Hitchcock Center offers an early drop off option for afterschool programs at no cost. Children may arrive anytime between 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM. This is an unstructured, supervised time in which children may eat a snack from home and play until the rest of the participants have arrived.
MONDAYS
Wild Children of the Woods Winter
With: Monya Relles
Grades 3-5
Mondays 3:30-5:30 p.m.
January 13 – March 17 (no class January 20 or February 17)
Tier A:$238 | Tier B:$207 | Tier C:$176
Limited to 12 participants
We go to the woods to think, learn, play, and explore in this afterschool series for upper-elementary schoolers. We will roam the grounds of the Hitchcock Center as we watch Fall turn to Winter. We will visit stump city, ferns, and the far-away woods, play some organized games, and learn about the animals, plants, and life in these woods, including ourselves.
TUESDAYS
Nature Play Afterschool Series Winter
With: Jeff Mazur
Grades 1-3
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
January 7 – March 18 (no program February 18)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$299 | Tier B-$261 | Tier C-$222
Limited to 12 participants
Hitchcock’s Nature Play Afterschool Program is designed to let kids be kids. Together we will run, jump, climb, invent, imagine, play and be free-range kids all while developing self-confidence and learning valuable social skills. In Winter Nature Play Afterschool we will explore snowy wooded trails and fields, make snow villages, and sled down the HCE hill. Our instructors provide a safe setting for children to explore nature and encourage children to stretch their limits.
Girls into the Wild Winter
with Katie Koerten
Grades 4-6
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
January 7 – March 18 (no program February 18)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$299 | Tier B-$261 | Tier C-$222
Limited to 12 participants
Join us in winter 2025 for more romping wildly through the fields and forests of the Hitchcock Center. As always we’ll visit our favorite places to play in the forest, such as Stump City, the Forest Garden, and the Faraway Woods – exploring the seasonal beauty of nature as we go. Play games, make friends, and create nature projects outdoors! Come build your confidence and show your wild side! Any young people with an experience of gender marginalization are welcome.
WEDNESDAYS
Junior Nature Play Afterschool Series Winter
With: Isaiah Brown
Grades K-2
Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
January 8 – March 19 (no program on February 19 or March 12)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$269 | Tier B-$234 | Tier C-$199
Limited to 12 participants
Hitchcock’s Junior Nature Play Afterschool Program is designed to let kids be kids. Together we will run, jump, climb, invent, imagine, play and be free-range kids all while developing self-confidence and learning valuable social skills. During Winter Junior Nature Play we will explore snowy wooded trails and fields, make snow villages, and sled down the HCE hill! Our instructors provide a safe setting for children to explore nature and encourage children to stretch their limits.
Nature Play Afterschool Series Winter
With: Jeff Mazur
Grades 2-4
Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
January 8 – March 19 (no program on February 19 or March 12)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$269 | Tier B-$234 | Tier C-$199
Limited to 12 participants
Hitchcock’s Nature Play Afterschool Program is designed to let kids be kids. Together we will run, jump, climb, invent, imagine, play and be free-range kids all while developing self-confidence and learning valuable social skills. In Winter Nature Play Afterschool we will explore snowy wooded trails and fields, make snow villages, and sled down the HCE hill. Our instructors provide a safe setting for children to explore nature and encourage children to stretch their limits.
Fees
Out of a strong commitment to improve access to our programs we are now offering a sliding scale fee structure aimed to provide greater flexibility in choosing a price that is right for you and your family.
- Tier A: The fee is set higher than what it costs to run the program and helps to support those who cannot afford the full cost of the program.
- Tier B: The fee is set to cover 100% of the program costs.
- Tier C: The fee is set less than what it costs to run the program.
- Some additional financial aid is available to help make this program accessible. Please contact Barb or Shelly at 413-256-6006 for more information. This option is available for EBT, WIC, and Connector Care participants, that is, households receiving benefits through the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance and the Massachusetts Health Connector.
Cancellation policy
Cancellation policy for Hitchcock’s seasonal programs: You may cancel your registration for any of our programs up to a week prior to the program’s start date to receive a refund minus a 10% administrative fee. If you cancel within 7 days or less of the program’s start date, we cannot offer a refund unless we are able to fill your spot in the program.
COVID-19 Safety
As per the State of Massachusetts guidelines, if you have symptoms of a respiratory virus, such as a fever, sore throat, cough or a runny or stuffy nose, you should stay home. If you have been exposed to someone with a virus we ask that you please wear a mask and wash hands often to protect others.
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