Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Nature Discovery Winter Preschool Days
2022-02-04 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
With Colleen Kelley and Helen Ann Sephton
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
10:00am-11:30 am (Please note the later start time!)

Celebrate the outdoors in winter with your preschooler! Colleen and Helen Ann will teach these three winter programs. Sign up for one, two or all three programs. Come prepared for winter outdoor exploration! Limited to 7 families per day. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Friday, February 4: Signs of Animals and Tracking

Fee per child per day: Tier A-$32 per day | Tier B-$26 per day | Tier C-$19 per day | Tier D- $13
Limited to 7 families. Limit of 2 children per adult.

Wild Children of the Woods Winter
2022-02-07 15:30 - 17:30, 2022-02-14 15:30 - 17:30, 2022-02-28 15:30 - 17:30
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 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.
With Monya Relles
Ages 8-11 or Grades 3-5
Mondays 3:30-5:30
January 10 – March 14 (no class January 17 or February 21)
Tier A:$245 Tier B:$196 Tier C:$147 Tier D:$98
Limited to 12 participants

Nature Play Afterschool Series WINTER
2022-02-07 15:30 - 17:30, 2022-02-14 15:30 - 17:30, 2022-02-28 15:30 - 17:30
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 After School 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.
with Aemelia Thompson
Ages 6-9 or grades 1-3
Mondays, 3:30-5:30pm
January 10 – March 14 (no program January 17 or February 21)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$245 | Tier B-$196 | Tier C-$147 | Tier D-$98
Limited to 12 participants

Discovery Day: Animal Detectives: Uncovering Animal Tracks & Signs
2022-02-08 10:00 - 14:00
Animal Detectives: Uncovering Animal Tracks & Signs
With Jeff Mazur
February 8, 2022
Ages 6-12 or grades 1st – 6th
Tier A:$76 Tier B:$61 Tier C:$46 Tier D:$30
Limited to 12 participants

Today you will become an animal detective! Together we’ll identify tracks, read signs, and study scat as we learn what these fascinating clues can tell us about the animals in our own backyards!

Nature Play Afterschool Series WINTER
2022-02-08 15:00 - 17:30, 2022-02-15 15:30 - 17:30
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 After School 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.
With Monya Relles
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30
January 11 – March 15 (no program February 22)
Tier A:$271 | Tier B:$217 | Tier C:$163 | Tier D:$109
Limited to 12 participants

Art & Games in the Forest After School Series WINTER
2022-02-08 15:30 - 17:30, 2022-02-15 15:30 - 17:30
The Winter session of Art in the Forest will have two focuses; art and games! On the calmer, gentler days of Winter we will explore our own imagination and expression with activities that include ice sculptures, snow painting, and making snow candles. On the harsher Winter days when we need movement to keep our bodies warm, we’ll play games, make snow forts, and build community. Either way, each day we’ll be surrounded by the undeniable beauty of the outdoors, we’ll develop awareness of the details in the natural world and work on our social skills as a group.
with Aemelia Thompson
Ages 8-11 or Grades 3-5
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30
January 11 – March 15 (no program February 22)
Tier A: $271 Tier B: $217 Tier C: $163 Tier D: $109

Nature Play Afterschool Series WINTER
2022-02-09 15:30 - 17:30, 2022-02-16 13:30 - 17:30
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 After School 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.
With Jeff Mazur
Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30
January 12 – March 16
Extended Days on February 16 & March 9 (no program on February 23)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$322 | Tier B-$257 | Tier C-$193 | Tier D-$123
Limited to 12 participants

Junior Nature Play Afterschool Series WINTER
2022-02-09 15:30 - 17:30, 2022-02-16 13:30 - 17:30
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.
with Aemelia Thompson
Ages 5-7 or Grades K-1
Wednesdays, 3:30pm-5:30pm
January 12 – March 16 (no program February 23)
Extended Days on February 16 & March 9
Fee per Child: Tier A-$330 | Tier B-$264 | Tier C-$198 | Tier D-$132
Limited to 10 participants

Girls into the Wild Winter(Katie)
2022-02-10 15:30 - 17:30, 2022-02-17 15:30 - 17:30
Join us in winter 2022 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 outdoors! Come build your confidence and show your wild side! Any young people with an experience of gender marginalization are welcome!

with Katie KoertenAges 8–11 or Grades 3–5
Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm
January 13 – March 17 (no program February 24)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$271 | Tier B-$217| Tier C-$163 | Tier D-$109

Nature Discovery Winter Preschool Days
2022-02-11 10:00 - 11:30
With Colleen Kelley and Helen Ann Sephton
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
10:00am-11:30 am (Please note the later start time!)

Celebrate the outdoors in winter with your preschooler! Colleen and Helen Ann will teach these three winter programs. Sign up for one, two or all three programs. Come prepared for winter outdoor exploration! Limited to 7 families per day. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Friday, February 11: Slip, Slide – Ice and Snow!

Fee per child per day: Tier A-$32 per day | Tier B-$26 per day | Tier C-$19 per day | Tier D- $13
Limited to 7 families. Limit of 2 children per adult.

Owl Prowl
2022-02-11 19:30 - 22:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Owl Prowls
with Dan Ziomek
Saturday, January 29th or
Friday, February 11th (cancellation date of Saturday, February 12)
7:30pm – 10pm
Have you been hearing the Great Horned Owls at dusk and dawn? They are hooting. Join valley birder Dan Ziomek for this extra special treat of searching for owls on winter nights! Dress super duper warmly. For ages 12 and up. Space is limited. Cost $25.
REGISTER HERE

Winter/Spring Birding Course - Field Trip
2022-02-12 05:00 - 17:00, 2022-02-19 07:00 - 12:00, 2022-02-26 07:00 - 12:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Winter/Spring Birding Course

with Scott Surner
Join birder extraordinaire and veteran bird course instruction for this bigger and better than ever late winter/spring birding course. This course is all field trips, in all sorts of habitats with all kinds of birds! Course is limited to 12 participants and will be outdoor only for COVID Safety. Participants must be vaccinated and willing to carpool. Sliding Scale Pricing – Tier A- $550 Tier B- $500 Tier C- $450 Tier D- $400.
REGISTER HERE
*Registration opens on Tuesday, January 18 at 9am
FIELD TRIPS:

February 12 – 5AM-Dusk. Cape Ann or Plum Island- Coastal Specialties – Scaups, Common Eider, Harlequin Duck, Surf, Black and White-winged Scoters, Common Goldeneye, Buffleheads, and Red-breasted Mergansers. Purple Sandpipers, Iceland Gull, Glaucous Razorbill, Black Guillemot, and perhaps a Snowy Owl.
February 19 –7AM-12PM. Local – Amherst-Hadley. Winter birds- Hawks, Horned Larks and maybe Lapland Longspur or Snow Buntings. American Tree Sparrows.

February 26 –7AM-12PM. Local – Amherst/Hadley Region. Early waterfowl.

March 5 – 7AM-12PM. Local Waterfowl. By this time waterfowl will be returning to the Valley. We’ll take a look at several vantage points along the Connecticut.

March 19 – 7AM-12PM. Local Waterfowl migration is in full swing. We’ll hit areas in Hadley, Hatfield and Turner’s Falls.

March 26 – 5AM- All Day. Moose Bog, VT. This trip is very weather dependent. Northern Specialties- possibilities include, Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Canada Jay, Boreal Chickadee and perhaps some winter finches, Crossbills, Siskins.

April 2 – 7AM-12PM. Local Local 7:00AM-12:00 Waterfowl and early migrants.

April 9 – 7AM-12PM. Local TBD

April 16 – 7AM-12PM. Ludlow– Looking for Upland Sandpipers at Westover AFB.

April 23rd– 7AM-12PM Fannie Stebbins Refuge, Longmeadow. Early Warblers, (Palm, Yellow-rumped, Pine, Yellow and maybe Northern Waterthrush)

April 30 – 5AM-Dusk. Plum Island. Waterfowl, Egrets, Shorebirds and maybe a lingering Snowy Owl?

May 7 – 7AM-12PM. Local. Warbler migration starting to ramp up. We’ll visit local areas in Amherst.

May 21 – 6:30AM-12PM. Mt.Holyoke We’ll hike up the main road to the Summit House. Nesting Cerulean and Worm-eating Warblers will be our goal.

May 28th– 5:30AM-12PM. Southwick WMA. We visited this area for the first-time last spring. Nesting Grasshopper Sparrows, Field Sparrows, Prairie Warblers, Eastern Meadowlarks and much more.

Overnight Trip – June 10-12– Ct. Lakes, Pittsburg, NH? To be discussed by class.

Second Saturday Family Science
2022-02-12 10:00 - 23:00
Join us for seasonal nature and science programs each second Saturday of the month. Designed for children (ages 5–7) with their parents, these programs will explore cool topics in nature.
January 8th, February 12th, March 12th, April 9th, May 7th*, and June 11th
Suggested Donation: $5–$30 per family
-For Saturday Sciences in January-March we will be learning while moving, often exploring the woods behind our building-
*The Saturday Science on May 7th has been moved to the first Saturday of May due to space availability.
with Aemelia Thompson
Ages 5–7 or Grades K–1
Saturdays, 10–11am
February 12th: Tracks and Traces
While we’re bundled up inside there is still a lot going on outside in Winter! We know this because the animals leave us clues! What tales can animals tell us by looking at what they leave behind?

Winter Forest Bathing at the Hitchcock Center
2022-02-12 14:00 - 16:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Winter Forest Bathing at the Hitchcock Center
With Todd Lynch
Saturday, February 12, 2pm – 4:30pm
and/or Saturday, March 19, 2pm – 4:30pm
$25 per class
REGISTER HERE
Come experience a guided Forest therapy walk with Todd Lynch, certified ANFT guide. Forest and Nature Therapy offers us the opportunity to slow down. It re-aligns our rhythms with the landscape, allowing our senses a respite from everyday demands and uncertainties. It’s a chance to remember our connections to nature and the joyful relationships that await us outside. This guided experience is not a hike or naturalist adventure, but an opportunity to slow down and allow our bodies to engage all of our senses. Please note that this is not “therapy” as commonly denoted in our culture, but an offering of a therapeutic way to be in nature. Guides are not trained clinicians; they hold the space to let the forest be the “therapist”.
What to Expect:
A leisurely walk of about a mile with stops along the way where we will gather and sit. We’ll all wear our masks when we gather together and the walk will be planned in a way to promote safe physical distancing of 6 feet or more between participants.
We will focus on our senses to develop an immediate connection with the forest. This is a very relaxed, slow, and mindful way of walking. The walk should last about 2-2.5 hours and we will finish with a gathering circle where we can share about our experiences..

Winter Vacation Days
2022-02-21 08:30 - 15:00, 2022-02-22 08:30 - 15:00, 2022-02-23 08:30 - 15:00, 2022-02-24 08:30 - 15:00, 2022-02-25 08:30 - 15:00
Monday through Friday, February 21st-25th 2022
8:30-am-3:00pm
Age Groups:
Jumping Mice: Ages 5-6, Grades K-1
Brown Bats: Ages 6-8, Grades 1-2
Groundhogs: Ages 8-10, Grades 3-5
Fee per child per day: Tier A-$95 | Tier B-$76 | Tier C-$57 | Tier D-$38
Spend your days off from school learning and playing outside at the Hitchcock Center! We’ll explore topics in winter ecology while playing games, making crafts and spending time with our live animals. Sign up for as many days as you wish. Five-year olds must be in Kindergarten in order to participate. First graders may register for the K-1 age group or the 1-2 age group. Camp will be held outdoors as much as possible and masks will be worn if/when going inside. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Limited 12 Participants for Jumping Mice
Limited to 15 participants for Brown Bats and Groundhogs
