Afterschool Programs

Registration for Fall 2023 programs will open Tuesday, June 13.

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.

MONDAYS

WILD CHILDREN OF THE WOODS SERIES

With Monya Relles
Ages 8-11 or Grades 3-5
Mondays, 3:30-5:30pm
September 11 – December 18 (no program September 25 and October 9)
Tier A:$393 Tier B:$327 Tier C:$278 Tier D:$213
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.

WEDNESDAYS

JUNIOR NATURE PLAY AFTERSCHOOL

With Lauren Dausch
Ages 5-7 or Grades K-2
Wednesdays, 3:30pm-5:30pm
September 6 – December 20 (no program November 22)
Tier A:$453 Tier B:$378 Tier C:$321 Tier D:$245
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 Fall Junior Nature Play we will explore wooded trails and fields, play pretend in our mud kitchen, and make leaf crowns. Our instructors provide a safe setting for children to explore nature and encourage children to stretch their limits.

NATURE PLAY AFTERSCHOOL

With Jeff Mazur
Ages 8-11 or Grades 3-5
Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30
September 6 – December 20 (no program November 22)
Tier A:$453 | Tier B:$378 | Tier C:$321 | Tier D:$245
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. During Fall Nature Play we will explore wooded trails and fields, jump in leaf piles, build forts, climb trees, and make new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us. Our instructors provide a safe setting for children to explore nature and encourage children to stretch their limits.

THURSDAYS

NATURE PLAY AFTERSCHOOL

With Lauren Dausch
Ages 8-11 or Grades 3-5
Thursdays, 3:30-5:30
September 7 – December 21 (*Extended day Oct 26, no program November 23)
Tier A:$480 | Tier B:$400 | Tier C:$340 | Tier D:$260
Limited to 12 participants

GIRLS INTO THE WILD AFTERSCHOOL

with Katie Koerten
Ages 9-12 or Grades 4-6
Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm
September 7 – December 21 (*Extended day Oct 26, no program November 23)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$480 | Tier B-$400| Tier C-$340 | Tier D-$260
Limited to 12 participants

Girls into the Wild is back in Fall 2023 for more romping wildly through the field and forests of the Hitchcock Center. Please note the age adjustment: GITW has shifted to be for students in grades 4 through 6. As always we’ll visit our favorite places to play in the forest, such as Stump City, the Ferns, 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! Genderqueer, nonbinary, agender and trans young people are welcome! *Extended day hours on Oct 26 are 1pm-5:30pm due to early release for Amherst Public Schools.

FRIDAYS

FUN FRIDAY FROLICS **NEW!!**

with Lauren Dausch
Ages: Ages 6-9 or grades 1 – 3*
Fridays, 1:00 – 5:30pm
Fee per Child: Tier A-$82 | Tier B-$68| Tier C-$58 | Tier D-$44
Limited to 12 participants

New! Come frolic in the forest on this Friday afternoon early release day for Amherst elementary schoolers! Bring a snack, lunch and water bottle and come prepared to play outside, no matter what the weather! Limited to 12 participants. *Depending on enrollment, your Kindergartner or 4th grader may be able to join.

September 29: The Fall Forest

October 20: Preparing for Hibernation and Migration

October 27: Spoooooky Creatures!

December 8: Wondrous Winter

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 15% 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 at 15% less than what it costs to run the program.
Tier D: This fee is set at 35% less than what it costs to run the program. This option is available for EBT, WIC, and Connector Care Card to Culture participants, that is, households receiving benefits through the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance and the Massachusetts Health ConnectorFees

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

Read our complete COVID-19 Program Participant Guidelines.

Our programs are designed to be fun and engaging and above all safe. The COVID-19 program guidelines are designed to help protect everyone as we meet the strict health and safety requirements of the CDC and our state. Please take the time to read the information thoroughly. If you feel that you or your child(ren) cannot follow these guidelines, we ask that you wait until these restrictions have been lifted to join one of our programs or events. We may change our guidelines to reflect new guidance from CDC and Massachusetts.