Game Day Getaway (ages 8–12)
2020-07-23 10:00 - 12:00, 2020-07-30 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Games are a great way to embrace summer fun. In this two-hour all outdoors program, children can be a part of a small group and enjoy the company of other kids playing classic camp games in safety. We’ll spend our time playing verbal games maintaining social distance, and physical games, which can be played in parallel with other kids. Physical games will include classics like Charades, animal style relay races, and Motion Telephone. Verbal games will include Werewolf, Mind Meld, and Contact. While this program will be offered multiple times, each one will consist of games that encourage social distancing, therefore in each session some games may repeat from day to day. Days with inclement weather will need to be rescheduled.
with Aemelia Thompson, Hitchcock Educator
Thursdays, 10–12noon, July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23 and July 30
Fee Per Child: Tier A-$30 per day | Tier B-$24 per day | Tier C-$18 per day

REGISTER HERE
Learn more about our Summer 2020 Children and Family Programs.

Virtual Saturday Family Science Series: Life Underground (ages 5-8)
2020-07-25 10:00 - 10:40
Life Underground
Saturday, July 25, 10-10:40am
Does a hole in the earth sound like a comfy place to live? To some animals it absolutely does! Living underground takes serious work but it is also a place many animals make their homes or live out their whole lives. Many of the animals that use the earth as their dwelling live right here in Massachusetts. Come dig in with us! Learn more about this series.
Recommended for ages 5-8
Suggested donation: $5 per child
Maximum group size: 16 children
Registration opens July 21

Hike and Stream Catch (ages 8–12)
2020-07-28 10:00 - 14:00
Come join an all-outdoor group experience where we’ll hike, explore the woods, catch creatures in a stream, and play games. From the Hitchcock Center, we will hike to the Hampshire woods. Once there, we will spread out along the banks of a stream, each with our own net and basin, to cool our feet in the water and see what creatures we can find. We’ll then make our way to a nearby open field for a socially distant lunch and end with storytelling games. During this four hour program, children will be required to wear masks while hiking and in the stream. We will all sanitize before eating lunch. Social distance will be maintained during the stream catch and games. Days with inclement weather will need to be rescheduled.
with Aemelia Thompson, Hitchcock Educator
Tuesdays, 10am–2pm
June 30, July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28
Fee Per Child: Tier A-$60 per day | Tier B-$48 per day | Tier C-$36 per day

REGISTER HERE
Learn more about our Summer 2020 Children and Family Programs.

Nature Explorer Family Field Trip: Life in a Pond (all ages)
2020-07-29 10:00 - 12:00, 2020-08-06 10:00 - 14:00, 2020-08-13 10:00 - 12:00
A pond is much more than frogs and fish! It demonstrates a beautiful web of life from algae and microscopic organisms to insect larvae and amphibians. We will use our limnology lab tools to practice techniques for observing small aquatic creatures and learning about their unique life cycles and adaptations. At the pond, we will collect and observe several varieties of invertebrates that depend on this habitat.
Join one of our talented Hitchcock Center educators and choose among many fun-filled and hands-on field trips designed for the whole family (age levels for children vary as indicated below). Each field trip is two hours in length. Consider extending the trip by packing a picnic lunch and staying after the program ends! Adults without children are welcome too!!
Wednesdays, 10am–12noon on July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, August 6, 13
Fee per Child: Tier A-$28 per trip | Tier B-$22 per trip | Tier C-$17 per trip
Fee per Adult: Tier A-$33 per trip | Tier B-$26 per trip | Tier C-$20 per trip
(limit up to two adults and three children per family)
REGISTER HERE
Learn more about our Summer 2020 Children and Family Programs.

Nature Explorer Family Field Trip: Bountiful Butterflies (ages 3 and up)
2020-07-30 14:00 - 16:00
Go on a butterfly walk with Jennifer to discover the fluttering friends among us. We will start with some basic tools and background about butterflies and then head to a flowering field with edges that should have a good variety of colorful butterflies.
Join one of our talented Hitchcock Center educators and choose among many fun-filled and hands-on field trips designed for the whole family (age levels for children vary as indicated below). Each field trip is two hours in length. Consider extending the trip by packing a picnic lunch and staying after the program ends! Adults without children are welcome too!!
Thursdays, 2–4pm on July 9, 16, 23, 30
Fee per Child: Tier A-$28 per trip | Tier B-$22 per trip | Tier C-$17 per trip
Fee per Adult: Tier A-$33 per trip | Tier B-$26 per trip | Tier C-$20 per trip
(limit up to two adults and three children per family)

REGISTER HERE
Learn more about our Summer 2020 Children and Family Programs.

Lawns Into Meadows Book Launch and Virtual Meadow Tour followed by Q&A
2020-07-30 19:00 - 21:00
In a world where lawns wreak havoc on our natural ecosystems, landscape designer Owen Wormser encourages another approach. Owen’s recently released book, Lawns Into Meadows, Growing a Regenerative Landscape, explains how to plant an organic meadow that’s right for your site.
Meadows create wildlife and pollinator habitat. They’re low maintenance and low cost. They have a built-in resilience that helps them weather climate extremes and they can sequester loads of carbon. They’re also really beautiful all year long.
In this virtual event, Owen will introduce you to his book and take participants on a tour through Bobbie’s Meadow at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Owen designed this meadow now in its second season. He’ll show us some of the plants and talk about the ecology of the meadow, including how it actively provides habitat to many pollinators and other animals.
Books available for curbside pick up at the Hitchcock center or through the Eric Carle book shop.
Thursday, July 30th 7pm – Zoom link provided with registration.
Suggested Donation of $10
Co-sponsored by the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
REGISTER HERE
ABOUT OWEN WORMSER
Owen Wormser was born and raised off the grid in rural Maine. His interest in plants and the natural world led him to pursue a degree in landscape architecture. In 1998 Owen moved to western Massachusetts to start his first landscape design and installation service. Since then he has built hundreds of regenerative landscapes influenced by his study of horticulture, permaculture, organic agriculture, and ecology.

In 2010, Owen started Abound Design, which provides design and installation services with a focus on creating sustainability, regeneration, and beauty. Six years later, he co-founded Local Harmony, a nonprofit that promotes local regenerative projects and has overseen the planting of many thousands of native perennials. His first book, Lawns Into Meadows, Growing a Regenerative Landscape, was released July, 2020.

Owen has been an integral part of the development of Hitchcock’s outdoor Nature Play and Learning Spaces through his nonprofit Local Harmony, everything from design to installation to leading volunteer work parties. We are grateful for his help and expertise and congratulate him on this book release.

Lawns Into Meadows Book Launch and Virtual Meadow Tour followed by Q&A
2020-07-30 19:00 - 21:00
In a world where lawns wreak havoc on our natural ecosystems, landscape designer Owen Wormser encourages another approach. Owen’s recently released book, Lawns Into Meadows, Growing a Regenerative Landscape, explains how to plant an organic meadow that’s right for your site.
Meadows create wildlife and pollinator habitat. They’re low maintenance and low cost. They have a built-in resilience that helps them weather climate extremes and they can sequester loads of carbon. They’re also really beautiful all year long.
In this virtual event, Owen will introduce you to his book and take participants on a tour through Bobbie’s Meadow at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Owen designed this meadow now in its second season. He’ll show us some of the plants and talk about the ecology of the meadow, including how it actively provides habitat to many pollinators and other animals.
Books available for curbside pick up at the Hitchcock Center (please call to arrange a pick up time) and the Eric Carle Museum’s book shop.
Thursday, July 30th 7pm – Zoom link provided with registration.
Suggested Donation of $10
Co-sponsored by the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Registration required

Author bio:
Owen Wormser was born and raised off the grid in rural Maine. His interest in plants and the natural world led him to pursue a degree in landscape architecture. In 1998 Owen moved to western Massachusetts to start his first landscape design and installation service. Since then he has built hundreds of regenerative landscapes influenced by his study of horticulture, permaculture, organic agriculture, and ecology.

In 2010, Owen started Abound Design, which provides design and installation services with a focus on creating sustainability, regeneration, and beauty. Six years later, he co-founded Local Harmony, a nonprofit that promotes local regenerative projects and has overseen the planting of many thousands of native perennials. His first book, Lawns Into Meadows, Growing a regenerative landscape, was released July, 2020.

Nature Explorer Family Field Trip: Mountains and Valleys (ages 8 and up)
2020-08-04 10:00 - 12:00, 2020-08-12 10:00 - 12:00
Discover the stories in the stones around us! The Holyoke Range can tell us much about how the Earth’s crust is shaped. It is a geologically unique area, where we can find evidence of shifting tectonic plates, earthquakes, volcanoes, glaciers, and erosion, all in one day’s field trip! We will learn how fascinating geology can be and how the everyday landscape provides intriguing clues to the past. This trip is based at Skinner State Park and involves mostly light hiking with several short steep sections of trail. An additional $5 fee is required at the gate to enter the park.
Join one of our talented Hitchcock Center educators and choose among many fun-filled and hands-on field trips designed for the whole family (age levels for children vary as indicated below). Each field trip is two hours in length. Consider extending the trip by packing a picnic lunch and staying after the program ends! Adults without children are welcome too!!
Tuesdays, 10am–12noon on July 14, 21, August 4, 12
Fee per Child: Tier A-$28 per trip | Tier B-$22 per trip | Tier C-$17 per trip
Fee per Adult: Tier A-$33 per trip | Tier B-$26 per trip | Tier C-$20 per trip
(limit up to two adults and three children per family)
REGISTER HERE[end button]
Learn more about our Summer 2020 Children and Family Programs.

Nature Explorer Family Field Trip: Habitat (all ages)
2020-08-05 10:00 - 12:00
Every living thing needs a home or a habitat to survive. The Hitchcock Center has a variety of local habitats on site to experience first-hand. Just as each neighborhood has its own needs and inhabitants, each habitat has its own animals, plants, and interactions. Our trip will take us through forest, field and wetland where we will focus on the components of each habitat and the adaptations of the animals and plants that live there.
Join one of our talented Hitchcock Center educators and choose among many fun-filled and hands-on field trips designed for the whole family. Each field trip is two hours in length. Consider extending the trip by packing a picnic lunch and staying after the program ends! Adults without children are welcome too!!
Habitat (all ages)
Thursdays, 10:30am-12:30pm, July 2, 16
Monday, 10am-12noon, July 20
Wednesday, 10am-12noon, August 5
Fee per Child: Tier A-$28 per trip | Tier B-$22 per trip | Tier C-$17 per trip
Fee per Adult: Tier A-$33 per trip | Tier B-$26 per trip | Tier C-$20 per trip
(limit up to two adults and three children per family)
REGISTERHERE

Learn more about our Summer 2020 Children and Family Programs.

Nature Discovery Family Adventures: Little Critters (ages 3–5)
2020-08-12 10:00 - 11:30
This family program is a wonderful way to spend time outdoors with your young one(s), discovering nature together with Colleen Kelley. We will socially distance for circle time. Each family will be given their own discovery tools to use on our adventure together. We will enjoy a fun story at the end of each session. Choose from one or more of our three themed offerings.

Colors in Nature, July 8 There are so many colors growing outside! We will explore with a collector band and nature art palette and see how many colors we can discover together.
Fairy Houses, July 22 The forest fairies have been waiting for some help in building them new houses! We will take a walk in to the forest and find the perfect place to build some enchanting fairy houses. After story time we will go on a house tour to visit each others creations and see if the fairies have moved in yet!
Little Critters, August 12 So many little creatures have been growing in the fields and forest as the weather warms up. We will use some special tools to search the fields and forests near the Hitchcock Center to see who is flying, crawling and sliding around!

with Colleen Kelley, Hitchcock Educator
Wednesday, 10–11:30am, July 8, July 22, August 12
Fee per Child: Tier A-$20 per day | Tier B-$16 per day | Tier C-$12 per day
Fee per Adult: Tier A-$25 per day | Tier B-$20 per day | Tier C-$15 per day
(limit 1 adult with up to 2 children)
REGISTER HERE
Learn more about our Summer 2020 Children and Family Programs.

10:00-11:30am Nature Discovery Preschool Adventure: Beautiful Butterflies
2020-09-04 10:00 - 11:30
This award-winning adult and child preschool program–the adult accompanies their child(ren)–offers weekly outdoor exploration together combined with multi-modal learning experiences to foster wonder and curiosity about the natural world. Sign up for one or or more days and choose one of two time offerings: Friday mornings or afternoons.
with Colleen Kelley
Ages 3–5 or Grade Pre-K
Fridays, 10:00–11:30am or 1–2:30pm
September 4–December 11
Fee per Child: Tier A-$18 per day | Tier B-$14 per day | Tier C-$10 per day | Tier D- $5
Fee per Adult: Tier A-$23 per day | Tier B-$18 per day | Tier C-$13 per day | Tier D- $7
Limited to 12 participants (Limit of 2 children per adult.)

September 4: Beautiful Butterflies
September 11: Seed Surprises
September 25: Ladybug Love
October 2: Leave it to Leaves
October 9: Secret Soil Recipe
October 30: Mouse Houses
November 6: Squirrel Stories
November 20: Bountiful Birds
December 11: Animals Getting Ready for Winter

10:00am-12:00pm Nature-based Field Trip: Life in a Stream
2020-09-04 10:00 - 12:00
Streams are an excellent place for the science of discovery and investigation. The critters who make their home in the stream demonstrate a beautiful web of life, from algae and microscopic organisms, to insect larvae and amphibians. We’ll begin at the Hitchcock Center and use our limnology lab tools to practice techniques for observing small aquatic creatures and learning about their unique life cycles and adaptations. We’ll then head to the Fort River at Groff park, where we will collect and observe several varieties of invertebrates that depend on this habitat.
with Helen Ann Sephton
Minimum Age 5
Fridays, 10am–12noon
September 4–October 16 (no program September 11)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$24 per trip | Tier B-$19 per trip | Tier C-$14 per trip | Tier D- $7
Fee per Adult: Tier A-$28 per trip | Tier B-$23 per trip | Tier C-$18 per trip | Tier D- $9
Limited to 12 participants. Children must be accompanied by an adult (limit 1 adult and up to 4 children).

1:00-2:30pm Nature Discovery Preschool Adventure: Beautiful Butterflies
2020-09-04 13:00 - 14:30

Fall Birding Series with Scott Surner
2020-09-05 07:00 - 11:00, 2020-09-12 07:00 - 11:00
Join Scott Surner for outdoor birding this fall. Good news, in spite of all that isn’t safe right now watching birds outdoors is still to be enjoyed. Field trips will meet at the locations rather than at the Hitchcock Center and there will be no carpooling. Masks will need to be worn when 6ft distance from each other can not be maintained as well as any other COVID-19 health and safety requirements of our state and local health departments. Program enrollment is limited to 10 participants per program and will be held exclusively outdoors.
Saturdays, September 5, 12, 19, 26 and October 10, 17
7 – 11am at varying locations
Fee per person: Tier A – $360, Tier B – $288, Tier C – $216*
Registration will open on Monday, August 10 at 9am.
REGISTER
*Given this time of financial hardship for our community and our organization, we are offering a sliding scale fee structure aimed to provide greater flexibility in choosing a price that is right for you and your family.

4-5:30pm Family Monarch Tagging Program
2020-09-08 16:00 - 17:30, 2020-09-09 16:00 - 17:30
The monarch butterflies are back and their cycle continues! Come for a small group, in-person, class to see them up close, learn about their fascinating life cycle, tag and release pre-caught butterflies and then take a hike to find some others. Nets and supplies will be provided. Data collected will be added for scientific research through the Monarch Watch Citizen Science Project.
with Jennifer Unkles
Ages 3+
Tuesday, September 8, 4-5:30pm
Wednesdays, September 9 and 16, 4-5:30pm
Thursday, September 17, 4-5:30pm
Suggested Donation: $5–$12 per family
Limited to 10 participants

10:00-11:30am Nature Discovery Preschool Adventure: Seed Surprises
2020-09-11 10:00 - 11:30

1:00-2:30pm Nature Discovery Preschool Adventure: Seed Surprises
2020-09-11 13:00 - 14:30

10:00-11:00am Second Saturday Family Science: Pollinators
2020-09-12 10:00 - 11:00
Join us for seasonal nature and science programs, in-person, each second Saturday of the month. Designed for children (ages 5–7) with their parents, these programs will explore cool topics in nature.

September 12: Pollinators
October 10: Our Trees in Autumn
November 14: Reptiles in Winter
December 12: Fantastic Foxes

with Aemelia Thompson
Ages ages 5–7 and Grades K–1
Saturdays, 10–11am
September 12, October 10, November 15, December 12
Suggested Donation: $5–$12 per family
Limited to 10 participants. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Limit of 3 children per adult.

9:30am-12:30pm The Ology of Ologists Homeschool Adventure Tuesday Series
2020-09-15 09:30 - 12:30
Join us in this fall program series as we learn the jobs that scientists do. We will focus on a different “ology” each week — from archeology to zoology we will explore different realms of science. This will be an all-outdoor program, and will include a morning circle, an activity focused on the ology of the day, followed by a snack, nature exploration and games.
with Jeff Mazur
Ages 9–11 or Grades 4–6
Tuesdays, 9:30am–12:30pm
September 15–November 17
Fee per Child: Tier A-$554 | Tier B-$443 | Tier C-$332 | Tier D-$166
Limited to 10 participants

10:00am-12:00pm Art in the Forest Wednesday Series
2020-09-16 10:00 - 12:00
The natural world has served as inspiration for artists of all varieties for all of humankind’s history. While surrounded by the undeniable beauty of the outdoors, children in the Art in the Forest program will be encouraged to develop awareness of the details in the natural world and learn how to utilize its beauty in artistic expression. Throughout the fall and into winter we will explore our own imagination and expression with activities that include drawing, poetry, structure building, painting and sculpture. We’ll spend part of our time, in-person, working together towards creating works of art and part free time in the woods, playing, talking and building community. This series is being offered two times per week on Mondays and Wednesdays. Please sign up for one of the two days.
with Aemelia Thompson
Ages 7–10 or Grades 2–4
Wednesdays, 10am–12pm
September 16–December 16
Fee per Child: Tier A-$437 | Tier B-$349 | Tier C-$252 | Tier D-$131
Limited to 10 participants

3:30-5:30pm Nature Play Afterschool Wednesday Series
2020-09-16 15:30 - 17:30
Our Nature Play Afterschool Program is designed to let kids be kids. Together we will run, jump, climb, invent, imagine, play and be free-range children, all while developing self-confidence and learning valuable social skills. We will explore wooded trails and fields, play in the leaves, build forts, climb trees, make new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us and use our imaginations. Children will be provided with a safe setting for children to explore nature and stretch their limits as they balance on logs, hold salamanders, or co-create new games with their peers.
with Jeff Mazur
Ages 6–8 or Grades 1–3
Wednesdays, 3:30–5:30pm
September 16–December 16 (no class November 11 or 25)
Extended days: October 21, November 18, and December 16, 1:30–5:30pm
Fee per Child: Tier A-$315 | Tier B-$252 | Tier C-$189 | Tier D-$94
Limited to 10 participants

4-5:30pm Monarch Tagging Program
2020-09-16 16:00 - 17:30, 2020-09-17 16:00 - 17:30

9:30am-12:30pm The Ology of Ologists Homeschool Adventure Thursday Series
2020-09-17 09:30 - 12:30
Join us in this fall program series as we learn the jobs that scientists do. We will focus on a different “ology” each week — from archeology to zoology we will explore different realms of science. This will be an all-outdoor program, and will include a morning circle, an activity focused on the ology of the day, followed by a snack, nature exploration and games.
with Jeff Mazur
Ages 9–11 or Grades 4–6
Thursdays, 9:30am–12:30pm
September 17–November 19
Fee per Child: Tier A-$554 | Tier B-$443 | Tier C-$332 | Tier D-$166
Limited to 10 participants
