Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Girls into the Wild
2024-12-10 15:30 - 17:30, 2024-12-17 15:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York)
with Katie Koerten
Grades 4 – 6
Tuesdays, 3:30 – 5:30 PM
September 3 – December 17 (no program November 5)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$453 | Tier B-$378 | Tier C-$321 | Tier D-$245
Limited to 12 participants
Girls into the Wild is back in Fall 2024 for more romping wildly through the field and forests of the Hitchcock Center with Katie! 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! Genderqueer, nonbinary, agender and trans young people are welcome.

Junior Nature Play Afterschool
2024-12-11 15:30 - 17:30, 2024-12-18 15:30 - 17:30
Junior Nature Play Afterschool
with Lauren Dausch
Grades K – 2
Wednesdays, 3:30 – 5:30 PM
September 4 – December 18 (Extended day (1 PM) on October 23, no program November 27)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$487 | Tier B-$406 | Tier C-$345 | Tier D-$264
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 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.

Nature Play Afterschool
2024-12-11 15:30 - 17:30, 2024-12-18 15:30 - 17:30
Nature Play Afterschool
with Jeff Mazur
Grades 2 – 4
Wednesdays, 3:30 – 5:30 PM
September 4 – December 18 (Extended day (1 PM) on October 23, no program November 27)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$487 | Tier B-$406 | Tier C-$345 | Tier D-$264
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. 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. For those parents deciding between the junior and nature play programs, the latter often travels further and is away from the Hitchcock Center’s play yard longer.

Second Saturday Family Science
2024-12-14 10:00 - 11:00
Second Saturday Family Science
with Lauren Dausch
Ages 5 – 7 or Grades K – 1
Saturdays, 10 – 11 AM
September 14, October 12, November 9, December 14
Suggested Donation: $5–$30 per family
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. We will be learning while moving, often exploring the woods behind our building.
December 14: Winter Magic (Inside/Outside)
Winter is the most magical time of year. During this program we will discover the secrets of ice and snow together!

Christmas Bird Count for Kids and Families
2024-12-15 13:00 - 15:00
Christmas Bird Count for Kids and Families
Sponsored by Hampshire Bird Club
Sunday, Dec 15, 2024
1-3pm
Free, Registration appreciated
Do you want to learn more about birds? Would you like to contribute to science? Join birdwatchers all over America in the Christmas Bird Count (CBC)!
The CBC is a 124-year old event in which bird lovers of all ages and skill levels count all the birds they see in a 24-hour period in December. At this program, there will be something for everyone. We’ll meet at the Hitchcock Center for an indoor program about how to recognize common birds and a story about the history of the Christmas Bird Count. Afterwards, families who are interested may participate in an outdoor bird count, with ID help by Hampshire Bird Club members at the Hitchcock Center bird feeders and beyond. We’ll count every bird we see! Younger participants may decorate “eye focusers” and hit the trails for a self-guided bird scavenger hunt (with paper birds!). Stay as long as you wish. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to a real bird census! This event is rain, slow, sleet or shine. Families may stay and count birds for as much time as they wish but we recommend that you arrive on time for the indoor portion in order to get introduced to the common winter species we are likely to see. Binoculars are welcome but not required.

Wild Children of the Woods
2024-12-16 15:30 - 17:30
with Monya Relles
Grades 3 – 5
Mondays 3:30 – 5:30 PM
September 9 – December 16 (no class October 14 or November 11)
Fee per Child: Tier A:$393 | Tier B:$327 | Tier C:$278 | Tier D:$213
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 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.

Discovery Day: Tracks and Traces
2024-12-17 10:00 - 14:00
Tracks and Traces
with Lauren Dausch
December 17, 10 AM – 2 PM
Ages 6 – 12 or grades 1 – 6
Fee per Child: Tier A:$79 | Tier B:$66 | Tier C:$56 | Tier D:$43
Limited to 12 participants
Winter is the best time of year for tracking! Our day will be full of a variety of activities to foster the young tracker within you. Bring your best observation skills, and a bundle of curiosity!

Nature Play Afterschool
2024-12-17 15:30 - 17:30
with Jeff Mazur
Grades 1 – 3
Tuesdays, 3:30 – 5:30 PM
September 10 – December 17 (no program November 5)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$447 | Tier B-$372 | Tier C-$316 | Tier D-$242
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. 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.

School Vacation Day
2025-01-02 08:45 - 15:00, 2025-01-03 08:45 - 15:00, 2025-01-06 08:45 - 15:00
January Vacation Days
Thursday, January 2 with Katie Koerten & Lauren Dausch
Friday, January 3 with Katie Koerten & Lauren Dausch
Monday, January 6 with Chrissy Larson & Rachel Quimby
8:45 AM – 3:00 PM
Grades K – 3
Fee per Day: Choose – Tier A-$109 | Tier B-$91 |or Tier C-$77
Limited to 15 participants
Amherst Public Schools have an extra long winter break this year! Why not spend one to three days having fun and learning at the Hitchcock Center? During these camp-style days, kids will play games, explore the woods and learn about nature. We’ll hope for snow so we can build snow creations, look for tracks, and go sledding. Pack a snack, lunch and warm gear for hours of winter play outside. Sign up for one, two, or all three days!
REGISTER HERE

Owl Prowl with Dan Ziomek
2025-01-03 18:30 - 21:00, 2025-01-10 18:30 - 21:00
Owl Prowls
with Dan Ziomek
Friday, January 3rd, 6:30 – 9pm
or Friday, January 10th, 6:30 – 9pm
with a bad weather date of Saturday, January 11th.

Have you been on an owl prowl? It is a very special treat in the heart of winter. Come seek out the Great-horned owl on a winter (hopefully snowy) night with expert birder Dan Ziomek. Dress super duper warmly. For ages 12 and up. Space is limited; please register now. Sliding Scale: $20, $30, $40
REGISTER here for January 3rd
REGISTER here for January 10th

Girls into the Wild: Winter
2025-01-07 15:30 - 17:30, 2025-01-14 15:30 - 17:30, 2025-01-21 15:30 - 17:30
with Katie Koerten
Grades 4-6
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
January 7 – March 18 (no program February 18)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$299 | Tier B-$261 | Tier C-$222
Limited to 12 participants
Join us in winter 2025 for more romping wildly through the fields and forests of the Hitchcock Center. As always we’ll visit our favorite places to play in the forest, such as Stump City, the Forest Garden, 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.

Nature Play Afterschool: Winter
2025-01-07 15:30 - 17:30, 2025-01-14 15:30 - 17:30, 2025-01-21 15:30 - 17:30
With: Jeff Mazur
Grades 2-4
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
January 7 – March 18 (no program February 18)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$299 | Tier B-$261 | Tier C-$222
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 Winter Nature Play Afterschool 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.

Junior Nature Play Afterschool: Winter
2025-01-08 15:30 - 17:30, 2025-01-15 15:30 - 17:30, 2025-01-22 15:30 - 17:30
With: Isaiah Brown
Grades K-2
Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
January 8 – March 19 (no program on February 19 or March 12)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$269 | Tier B-$234 | Tier C-$199
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 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.

Nature Play Afterschool: Winter
2025-01-08 15:30 - 17:30, 2025-01-15 15:30 - 17:30
With: Jeff Mazur
Grades 2-4
Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
January 8 – March 19 (no program on February 19 or March 12)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$269 | Tier B-$234 | Tier C-$199
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 Winter Nature Play Afterschool 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.

Wild Children of the Woods: Winter
2025-01-13 15:30 - 17:30
With: Monya Relles
Grades 3-5
Mondays 3:30-5:30 p.m.
January 13 – March 17 (no class January 20 or February 17)
Tier A:$238 | Tier B:$207 | Tier C:$176
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’ll 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.
