Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Nature Summer Camp Session 4: Biologists in Training
2021-08-03 09:00 - 15:00, 2021-08-04 09:00 - 15:00, 2021-08-05 09:00 - 15:00, 2021-08-06 09:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
In order to hone our biologist skills we will spend our time immersed in nature, become science detectives, and learn more about life all around us. We will explore life in all sorts of ways – venturing into different habitats and encountering creatures of different shapes and sizes. We will discover what is underfoot, in the water, or growing right before our eyes. With games, experiments, hikes and special visitors we will have close encounters with different types of living creatures and learn how they survive and thrive.
Mondays-Fridays, 9am-3pm
Session 2: July 5 – 16 (two weeks)
Session 4: July 26 – August 6 (two weeks)
Tier A: $900 Tier B: $725 Tier C: $545 Tier D: $365
Young Naturalists: Entering grades 1-2
Eco-investigators: Entering grades 3-4
Nature Explorers: Entering grades 5-6
Registration for Nature Summer Camp will open on Monday, February 15 at 9:00pm.
Learn more here.

Nature Summer Camp Session 4: Leadership Training Camp
2021-08-03 09:00 - 15:00, 2021-08-04 09:00 - 15:00, 2021-08-05 09:00 - 15:00, 2021-08-06 09:00 - 15:00
Leadership Training Camp (LTC) will be back again for summer 2021! Over the years, LTC has evolved to meet the growing needs of older and returning campers, and this summer we will evolve to meet the changing needs of a camp during a pandemic. While fewer leaders in training will be attending a session, this summer we are offering two 2-week Leadership Training Camps!
LTC is where new leaders can develop their skills as naturalists, activity leaders, outdoors people, and community members, and returning leaders can strengthen the skills they’ve been developing. This is done through our “spiral” system, with spirals representing your experience in LTC (spiral 1 for first year campers, spiral 2 for second year campers, etc.) and each spiral holding different expectations and skills. While camp will, by necessity, look different this year, we plan to continue with the same spirit of fun, trust, learning, and skill building that are the hallmarks of LTC. We’ll find ways to adapt favorite games, challenges, and activities from years past, and to develop new ones.
Please note that the drop-off and pick-up times for LTC will be different than the schedule for the other Hitchcock Camps. Under current regulations, field trips are not permitted for summer camps. If this guidance changes, we are hoping, this summer, for LTC to visit different locations around Amherst and the surrounding towns. Please note that drop-off and pick-up times for LTC may change on some days depending on our schedule for that day. We are planning for a late night, instead of our traditional overnight as part of our program this summer.
LTC is an active camp, but time is also spent listening and learning from each other by sharing knowledge and talking about our experiences and how they help us become better leaders. It is designed for all Hitchcock campers entering 7th, 8th, and 9th grades looking to learn what it takes to lead others in the outdoors. It is designed for those who may want to be a Counselor-in-Training or Junior Counselor at Hitchcock or other camps, who want a chance to develop leadership skills that can apply to other parts of their life, or who just want to learn new skills and have some fun!
Mondays-Fridays, 9am-3pm
Session 2: July 5 – 16 (two weeks)
Session 4: July 26 – August 6 (two weeks)
Tier A: $995 Tier B: $795 Tier C: $600 Tier D: $400
Entering grades 7-9, only
Registration for Nature Summer Camp will open on Monday, February 15 at 9:00pm.
Learn more here.

Nature Summer Camp Session 5: Nature's Superheroes
2021-08-09 09:00 - 15:00, 2021-08-10 09:00 - 15:00, 2021-08-11 09:00 - 15:00, 2021-08-12 09:00 - 15:00, 2021-08-13 09:00 - 15:00
This session we’re exploring the superpowers of the natural world! We’ll investigate animals’ tricks for hiding from predators and finding food, and learn about awesome adaptations their bodies have to help them leap, fly and swim. We will discover the special powers of plants including toxins, prickly spikes and pollination. Through outdoor activities, games, observation, nature hikes and art projects, we will encounter ordinary superheroes with extraordinary adaptations.
Mondays-Fridays, 9am-3pm
Session 1: June 28 – July 2 (one week)
Session 3: July 19 – 23 (one week)
Session 5: August 9 – 13 (one week)
Tier A: $480 Tier B: $385 Tier C: $290 Tier D: $195
Young Naturalists: Entering grades 1-2
Eco-investigators: Entering grades 3-4
Nature Explorers: Entering grades 5-6
Registration for Nature Summer Camp will open on Monday, February 15 at 9:00pm.
Learn more here.

Nature Play Afterschool Series
2021-09-13 13:30 - 17:30, 2021-09-20 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. 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.
with Aemelia Thompson
Ages 6-9 or grades 1-3
Mondays, 3:30-5:30pm
September 13 – December 13 (no program October 11)
*Extended Day: September 13
Fee per Child: Tier A-$401 | Tier B-$321 | Tier C-$241 | Tier D-$160
Limited to 12 participants

Wild Children of the Woods Series
2021-09-13 15:30 - 17:30, 2021-09-20 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 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.
With Monya Relles
Ages 8-11 or Grades 3-5
Mondays 3:30-5:30pm
September 13 -December 13 (no program October 11)
Tier A:$376 | Tier B:$301 | Tier C:$225 | Tier D:$150
Limited to 12 participants

Homeschool I: Making and Tinkering a Better Future
2021-09-14 10:00 - 14:00, 2021-09-21 10:00 - 12:00
In this fall’s Homeschool I class we will be exploring how we create and tinker with the world around us. We will learn by playing with pendulums, marble runs, circuit boards, and more. Through the challenges of making and tinkering we’ll also explore what it means to make mistakes and have resilience, even when something takes more than one try. This class will also have time built in for free play, journal time and organized games.
With Monya Relles
Grades 1-3, Ages 6-8
Tuesdays 10:00am -2:00 pm
September 14 -December 7 (No program Sept 28, Oct 19, and Nov 23 for Discovery Days)
Tier A:$728 Tier B:$582 Tier C:$437 Tier D:$292
Limited to 12 participants (if over enrolled, we may open a second class on Thursdays)

Homeschool II: Connections - Where Does it Come From?
2021-09-14 10:00 - 14:00, 2021-09-21 10:00 - 14:00
In such a product oriented society, it is easy to lose connection with how things are made and the origins of our resources. While researching the path of product production we are able to see first hand the energy that goes into making each product. With games, crafts, special guests, home projects and field trips we will develop an appreciation for the resources, time and energy used to make products that we use daily.
With Jeff Mazur
Grades 4-6, Ages 9-12
Tuesdays 10:00am – 2:00 pm
September 14 -December 7 (No program Sept 28, Oct 19, and Nov 23 for Discovery Days)
Tier A:$768 | Tier B:$615 | Tier C:$461 | Tier D:$308
Limited to 12 participants (if over enrolled, we may open a second class on Thursdays)

Art in the Forest After School Series
2021-09-14 15:30 - 17:30
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 we will explore our own imagination and expression with activities that include drawing, mud sculptures, natural dying, and more. We’ll spend part of our time working together towards creating works of art and part free time in the woods, playing, talking, and building community.
with Aemelia Thompson
Ages 8-11 or Grades 3-5
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30
September 14 – December 14 (no program November 2)
Tier A:$383 | Tier B:$306 | Tier C:$230 | Tier D:$153
Limited to 12 participants

Nature Play Afterschool Series
2021-09-14 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. 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.
With Monya Relles
Ages 6-9 or grades 1-3
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30
September 14 – December 14
Tier A:$401 | Tier B:$321 | Tier C:$241 | Tier D:$160
Limited to 12 participants

Nature Discovery Preschool Series: Spineless Wonders
2021-09-15 09:30 - 11:30
We are pleased to announce a second ten-week Nature Discovery Preschool series, taking place on Wednesdays! Pretend to shrink down real small to explore the spineless wonders of our natural world! This Fall, Helen Ann will introduce children to the crawling, sliding, hopping, flying world of worms, spiders, snails, pill bugs and insects. All those spineless wonders are animals without backbones. Through live observations, puppets, stories, model making, songs and snacks, children will become more familiar with these creatures. Please note: This ten-week series takes place both indoors and outdoors.
With Helen Ann Sephton
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
Wednesdays, September 15 – November 17
Morning session: 9:30 – 11:30am
Fee per Person: Tier A-$271 | Tier B-$217 | Tier C-$163 | Tier D-$109
Limited to 12 participants. Limit of 2 children per adult. Siblings under 3 are free.

Nature Discovery Preschool Series: Spineless Wonders
2021-09-15 13:00 - 15:00
We are pleased to announce a second ten-week Nature Discovery Preschool series, taking place on Wednesdays! Pretend to shrink down real small to explore the spineless wonders of our natural world! This Fall, Helen Ann will introduce children to the crawling, sliding, hopping, flying world of worms, spiders, snails, pill bugs and insects. All those spineless wonders are animals without backbones. Through live observations, puppets, stories, model making, songs and snacks, children will become more familiar with these creatures. Please note: This ten-week series takes place both indoors and outdoors.
With Helen Ann Sephton
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
Wednesdays, September 15 – November 17
Afternoon session: 1-3pm
Fee per Person: Tier A-$271 | Tier B-$217 | Tier C-$163 | Tier D-$109
Limited to 12 participants. Limit of 2 children per adult. Siblings under 3 are free.

Junior Nature Play Afterschool Series
2021-09-15 15:30 - 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 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.
with Aemelia Thompson
Ages 5-7 or Grades K-1
Wednesdays, 3:30pm-5:30pm
September 15 – December 15 (no program November 24)
*Extended Days: October 20 & December 8
Fee per Child: Tier A-$436 | Tier B-$349 | Tier C-$261 | Tier D-$175
Limited to 10 participants

Nature Discovery Preschool Series: Prehistoric Preschool
2021-09-17 09:30 - 11:30
Nature Discovery Preschool is back to a ten-week series once again, taking place both indoors and outdoors! This season we will travel back in time to the days of the dinosaurs. Children will learn about dinosaurs through stories, songs, movement and crafts. We will compare different dinosaurs, dig for bones, and learn about the plants they munched on. Come have a dinomite time! Please note: This ten-week series takes place both indoors and outdoors.
With Colleen Kelley
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
Fridays, September 17 – December 3 (no program October 1, 8 and November 26)
Morning session: 9:30-11:30 am
Fee per Child: Tier A-$271 | Tier B-$217 | Tier C-$163 | Tier D-$109
Limited to 12 participants. Limit of 2 children per adult. Siblings under 3 are free.

Nature Discovery Preschool Series: Prehistoric Preschool
2021-09-17 13:00 - 15:00
Nature Discovery Preschool is back to a ten-week series once again, taking place both indoors and outdoors! This season we will travel back in time to the days of the dinosaurs. Children will learn about dinosaurs through stories, songs, movement and crafts. We will compare different dinosaurs, dig for bones, and learn about the plants they munched on. Come have a dinomite time! Please note: This ten-week series takes place both indoors and outdoors.
With Colleen Kelley
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
Fridays, September 17 – December 3 (no program October 1, 8 and November 26)
Afternoon session: 1-3 pm
Fee per Child: Tier A-$271 | Tier B-$217 | Tier C-$163 | Tier D-$109
Limited to 12 participants. Limit of 2 children per adult. Siblings under 3 are free.

Second Saturday Family Science: Composting Critters
2021-09-18 10:00 - 11:00
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.
with Aemelia Thompson
Ages 5–7 or Grades K–1
Saturdays, 10–11am
REGISTER
September 18: Composting Critters
October 9: Spiders!
November 13: Oh Deer!
December 11: Crystals and Snowflakes
Suggested Donation: $5–$30 per family

Monarch Tagging
2021-09-18 14:30 - 16:00
Drop in to see how monarch butterflies are tagged and ask questions about this amazing creature and their hope filled cycle of survival.
With Jennifer Unkles
All ages
Saturday, September 18, 2:30-4pm
REGISTER
