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 Spring 2024

Registration for Spring afterschool opens February 27, 2024.

MONDAYS 

Wild Children of the Woods  

With: Monya Relles
Grades 3 – 5
Mondays 3:30 PM – 5 :30 PM
March 18 – June 3 (no program April 15 and May 27)
Tier A:$314 | Tier B:$261 | Tier C:$222 | Tier D:$170
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 the seasons change in our beautiful woods. 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 Series

with Lauren Dausch
Grades K – 2
Wednesdays, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
March 20 – June 5  (no program April 17)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$346 | Tier B-$288 | Tier C-$245  | Tier D-$187
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 Spring Junior Nature Play we will play in the mud and spring rains, look for bugs, and enjoy the warming outdoors. Our instructors provide a safe setting for children to explore nature and encourage children to stretch their limits. 

Nature Play Afterschool Series

with Jeff Mazur
Grades 2 – 4
Wednesdays, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
March 20 – June 5  (no program April 17)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$346 | Tier B-$288 | Tier C-$245  | Tier D-$187
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 spring Nature Play After School we will explore, watch the trees bud, celebrate the green and blooming springtime, and play in the mud. Our instructors provide a safe setting for children to explore nature and encourage children to stretch their limits.

THURSDAYS 

Nature Play Afterschool Series

with Lauren Dausch
Grades K – 3
Thursdays, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
March 21 – June 6 (no program April 18)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$350 | Tier B-$292 | Tier C-$248  | Tier D-$190
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 spring Nature Play After School we will explore, watch the trees bud, celebrate the green and blooming springtime, and play in the mud. Our instructors provide a safe setting for children to explore nature and encourage children to stretch their limits.

Girls into the Wild

with Katie Koerten
Grades 4 – 6
Thursdays, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
March 21 – June 6 (no program April 18)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$350 | Tier B-$292 | Tier C-$248  | Tier D-$190
Limited to 12 participants

Girls into the Wild continues into 2024 for more romping wildly through the field and forests of the Hitchcock Center. 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 in the outdoors! Come build your confidence and show your wild side! Any young people with an experience of gender marginalization are welcome!

FRIDAYS

FUN FRIDAY FROLICS **NEW!!**

with Alanna Johnston-Rutledge and Lauren Dausch
Grades 1 – 3*
Fridays, 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
March 8, April 5, May 10
Fee per Child: Tier A-$84 | Tier B-$70 | Tier C-$59  | Tier D-$45
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.

April 5 Colors of Nature

May 10 – Insect adventures

Registration for Winter Afterschool programs at Hitchcock Center is open now!

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.

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.

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Hitchcock Center for the Environment