Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Fall Birding Class
2019-11-02 06:00 - 15:00, 2019-10-30 18:30 - 20:00, 2019-10-26 07:00 - 12:00, 2019-10-23 18:30 - 20:00, 2019-10-19 07:00 - 12:00, 2019-10-12 (America/New_York)
Join Scott Surner in all his favorite fall birding spots. This course will consist of 4 Wednesday evening classes and 10 field trips to exciting spots locally and throughout New England.

Evening Programs
There will be four evening classes this fall. All programs are held on Wednesday evenings at the Hitchcock Center, starting at 6:30pm and generally end around 8pm. Dates: September 25, October 16, October 30, and November 13.
Field Trips
Saturday, September 28, 7pm-12pm
Local Trip-Fall Warblers and other migrants.
Saturday, October 5, 7pm-12pm
Local Trip- Fall Warblers and Sparrows.
Saturday, October 12, Depart at 6am
Milford Point, Connecticut. All Day. Migrating hawks, shorebirds, and many more. Bring lunch.
Saturday, October 19, 7am – 12pm
Local Trip. Sparrows & waterfowl.
Saturday, October 26, 7am – 12pm
Local Trip. Waterfowl.
Saturday, November 2, 6am – 3pm
Berkshire Lakes Trip. Waterfowl.
Saturday, November 9, 7am – 12pm
Local. Quabbin Reservoir.
Saturday, November 16, 7am – 12pm
Local Trip.
Saturday, November 23-24, Cape Cod. Overnight.
We’ll visit areas from Chatham down to Provincetown. Seabirds, Gannets, late Shearwaters, Gulls, sea ducks, and late migrants. If members of the class decide that this trip is too long, we can substitute the Cape Cod trip with a one-day trip to Cape Ann (North Shore). Note that participants will be responsible for their own motel reservations for the overnight trip to the Cape (more information at the beginning of the class).
Local Trips
Local trips will be to birding destinations in Hampshire, Franklin or Hampden Counties. All trips leave from the Hitchcock Center at the designated times (carpooling encouraged) and we make time for coffee and restroom stops.

with Scott Surner
Wednesdays, 6:30-8pm, September 25, October 16, October 30, and November 13
Saturdays, field trip times vary, September 28-November 24
Members $300/Non-members $360
Registration opens HERE August 28 at 9am. Please note, this class typically fills with a wait list.

Nature Discovery Preschool: From Here To There: How Things Move in Nature
2019-11-01 13:00 - 15:00, 2019-10-25 13:00 - 15:00, 2019-10-18 13:00 - 15:00, 2019-10-11 13:00 - 15:00
Welcome back to a fun fall with Colleen. Children and their adult companion will discover all the wonderful ways that nature’s creatures get around- flying, hopping, slithering, and swimming. We will observe how birds and insects fly, how fish swim, animals hop, seeds move and lots more. This program encourages learning through movement, singing, crafts, games, stories and great adventure! Limited to 12 families per session. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
With Colleen Kelley
Friday afternoon sessions:1-3pm
September 20, 27, October 11, 18, 25, November 1, 15, 22, December 6, 13
(No class October 4, November 8, 29)
Members: $220/Non-members: $264

Nature Discovery Preschool: From Here To There: How Things Move in Nature
2019-11-01 09:30 - 11:30, 2019-10-25 09:30 - 11:30
Welcome back to a fun fall with Colleen. Children and their adult companion will discover all the wonderful ways that nature’s creatures get around- flying, hopping, slithering, and swimming. We will observe how birds and insects fly, how fish swim, animals hop, seeds move and lots more. This program encourages learning through movement, singing, crafts, games, stories and great adventure! Limited to 12 families per session. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
With Colleen Kelley
Friday morning sessions: 9:30-11:30am
September 20, 27, October 11, 18, 25, November 1, 15, 22, December 6, 13
(No class October 4, November 8, 29)
Members: $220/Non-members: $264

Nature Play Afterschool
2019-10-30 15:30 - 17:30, 2019-10-23 13:30 - 17:30, 2019-10-16 15:30 - 17:30, 2019-10-09 15:30 - 17:30
Fall is here, and school has started, and your kids still want to be outside! Hitchcock’s Nature Play Afterschool Program is designed to let kids be kids. Together we will run, jump, climb, invent, imagine, play and be a free-range kids all while developing self-confidence and learning valuable social skills. During Fall Nature Play we will explore wooded trails and fields, play in and near streams, build forts, climb trees, make new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us and use our imaginations. Our instructors provide a safe setting for children to explore nature and encourages children to stretch their limits as they balance on logs, hold salamanders, or co-create new games with their peers. Limited to 10 participants. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Ages 6-9, Grades 1-3
With Jeff Mazur
Wednesday Sessions, 3:30-5:30pm: September 11 – December 18 (no class November 27)
Extended days, 1:30-5:30pm: September 25, October 23, December 11
Members: $390/Non-members: $468

Homeschool II: Our Valley, Our Home
2019-10-29 10:00 - 14:00, 2019-10-22 10:00 - 14:00, 2019-10-15 10:00 - 14:00
How many different types of habitats are in the Pioneer Valley? Join us this fall as we try and find out! From mountain tops, to caves, to rivers and forest – there is some much to learn about. During this series, we will be exploring our valley – discovering different types of habitats, and learning about the plants and animals that live there. Each week we will visit a new place around the Hitchcock Center and beyond, focusing on how that place is a special part of the valley ecosystem. Every day we will explore the outdoors, play games and further learning at home with optional home projects. Limited to 12 participants. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Ages 9-12
With Jeff Mazur
Tuesdays, 10am-2pm
September 24, October 8, 15, 22, 29, November 12, 19, 26, December 3, 10
No class October 1 or November 5
Members: $450/Non-members: $540

Homeschool I: Marvelous Mammals
2019-10-29 10:00 - 14:00, 2019-10-22 10:00 - 14:00, 2019-10-15 10:00 - 14:00
What do porcupines, blue whales and little brown bats have in common? They’re all mammals! And so are we! This fall we’ll be learning all about the world of mammals – which ones live here and what their adaptations are. These furry, warm-blooded creatures are not so different from you and me. What are their lives like, what do they eat, where do they live? What makes them unique from other animals? Each week we’ll focus on a new mammal and its adaptations and natural history. Every day we’ll explore the outdoors, play games, learn new vocabulary words and further the learning at home with optional home projects. Limited to 12 participants. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Ages 6-8
With Katie Koerten
Tuesdays, 10-2pm
September 24, October 8, 15, 22, 29, November 12, 19, 26, December 3, 10
No class October 1 or November 5
Members: $450/Non-members: $540

Nature Play Afterschool
2019-10-28 15:30 - 17:30, 2019-10-21 15:30 - 17:30
Fall is here, and school has started, and your kids still want to be outside! Hitchcock’s Nature Play Afterschool Program is designed to let kids be kids. Together we will run, jump, climb, invent, imagine, play and be a free-range kids all while developing self-confidence and learning valuable social skills. During Fall Nature Play we will explore wooded trails and fields, play in and near streams, build forts, climb trees, make new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us and use our imaginations. Our instructors provide a safe setting for children to explore nature and encourages children to stretch their limits as they balance on logs, hold salamanders, or co-create new games with their peers. Limited to 10 participants. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Ages 6-9, Grades 1-3
With Aemelia Thompson
Monday Sessions, 3:30-5:30pm: September 9 – December 16 (no class October 14 or November 11)
Members: $300/Non-members $360

Girls into the Wild
2019-10-24 15:30 - 17:30, 2019-10-17 15:30 - 17:30, 2019-10-10 15:30 - 17:30
Sometimes you just need to run, explore and play outdoors! That’s what we do at Girls into the Wild, and lots more. Girls into the Wild is designed to get girls outside, playing and engaging with nature in their own way. Instructor Katie Koerten offers games and activities that each girl can participate in at her own comfort level, from climbing trees, to playing camouflage in the forest, to running and whooping wildly through fields – all while noticing the birds that are singing, the flowers that are blooming and the animals that are leaving tracks behind. Come build your confidence and show your wild side! Families provide their own transportation to the Hitchcock Center. Limited to 10 participants. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Ages 8-11, Grades 3-5
With Katie Koerten
Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm
September 12 – December 19 (no program October 31 or November 28)
Members: $355/Non-members: $426

Nature Discovery Preschool: From Here To There: How Things Move in Nature
2019-10-18 09:30 - 23:30, 2019-10-11 09:30 - 11:30
Welcome back to a fun fall with Colleen. Children and their adult companion will discover all the wonderful ways that nature’s creatures get around- flying, hopping, slithering, and swimming. We will observe how birds and insects fly, how fish swim, animals hop, seeds move and lots more. This program encourages learning through movement, singing, crafts, games, stories and great adventure! Limited to 12 families per session. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
With Colleen Kelley
Friday morning sessions: 9:30-11:30am
September 20, 27, October 11, 18, 25, November 1, 15, 22, December 6, 13
(No class October 4, November 8, 29)
Members: $220 / Non-members: $264

Second Saturday Family Science: Going Batty
2019-10-12 10:00 - 11:00
Join us for seasonal nature and science programs each second Saturday of the month. Designed for children with their parents, these programs will explore cool topics in nature. No registration required. Groups of 6 or more please call ahead.
With Aemelia Thompson
Second Saturdays, 10 – 11am, October through December
Saturdays October 12, November 9, December 14
Members: Free; Non-members: $10 per family

September 14: Pollination Celebration Day
Instead of a typical Second Saturday Science, we are kicking off the fall with our second annual Pollination Celebration Day! Click here for more details.
October 12: Going Batty
Come get cozy with the only mammal that can fly! Found on every continent except Antarctica and in a variety of ecosystems, bats are as fascinating as they are numerous. Come learn about these wonderful creatures and how they benefit our environment.
November 9: Tons of Seeds
Even the largest oak tree begins its life as a tiny seed. For this Saturday Science we’ll be learning all about seeds, what they need, and the tricks plants use to keep them safe and spread them far and wide.
December 14: Nocturnal Life
When the sun sets many of us get ready for rest, but there is a whole world that is just waking up! Get ready for some night life (during the day) and learn about why and how some animals are active while we’re all asleep.
