Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Spring Vacation Days
2023-04-17 08:45 - 15:00, 2023-04-18 08:45 - 15:00, 2023-04-19 08:45 - 15:00, 2023-04-20 08:45 - 15:00, 2023-04-21 08:45 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
SPRING VACATION DAYS 2023
Monday through Friday, April 17 – 21
8:45am-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-$93 | Tier B-$81 | Tier C-$69 | Tier D-$53
Spend your days off from school learning and playing outside at the Hitchcock Center! We’ll explore topics in spring 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

Spring Vacation Days Aftercare
2023-04-17 08:45 - 15:00, 2023-04-18 08:45 - 15:00, 2023-04-19 08:45 - 15:00, 2023-04-20 08:45 - 15:00, 2023-04-21 08:45 - 15:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
SPRING VACATION DAYS 2023 AFTERCARE
Monday through Friday, April 17 – 21
3:00pm – 5:30pm
One Group: Ages 5-10, Grades K-5
Fee per child per day: Tier A-$40 | Tier B-$35 | Tier C-$29 | Tier D-$23
Nature Play time after hours with some down time!

Wild Children of the Woods
2023-04-24 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-05-01 15:30 - 17:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
WILD CHILDREN OF THE WOODS SERIES
With: Monya Relles
Ages 8-11 or Grades 3-5
Mondays 3:30-5:30
March 20 – June 5 (no program April 17 and May 29)
Tier A:$234 Tier B:$203 Tier C:$173 Tier D:$132
Limited to 13 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 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.

Homeschool I: The Science of Small Things
2023-04-25 10:00 - 14:00, 2023-05-02 10:00 - 14:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
HOMESCHOOL I: THE SCIENCE OF SMALL THINGS
With Emily Schuttenberg
Grades 1-3, Ages 6-8
Tuesdays 10:00am -2:00 pm
March 7 – May 30
(No program Mar 14, Apr 11 for Discovery Days, no class April 18 for April Vacation Week)
Tier A: $757 Tier B: $658 Tier C: $560 Tier D: $428
Limited to 13 participants
In Homeschool I: the Science of Small Things, we will investigate the tiny but mighty parts of the world that are often overlooked. Through exploration of insects, seeds, fungi, chemical compounds and more, we will discover that these small things have a big impact! We will approach learning with outdoor play, hands-on activities, journaling, songs, and more.

Homeschool II: Rocks and Water
2023-04-25 10:00 - 14:00, 2023-05-02 10:00 - 14:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
HOMESCHOOL II: ROCKS AND WATER: THE SHAPING OF OUR VALLEY
With Jeff Mazur
Grades 4-6, Ages 9-12
Tuesdays 10:00am – 2:00 pm
March 7 – May 30
(No program Mar 14, Apr 11 for Discovery Days, no class April 18 for April Vacation Week)
Tier A: $757 Tier B:$658 Tier C:$560 Tier D:$428
Limited to 13 participants
We will start at the beginning, the very beginning – the Big Bang, and travel through time discovering how the earth was formed, our continent shaped, and end with where we are today. We will explore the geological and erosional forces that shaped the valley together. This class will be filled with field trips to explore mountains and caves, games, journaling, home projects and more. Together we will develop an appreciation for some of the beautiful parts of our valley as well as how it was formed.
Non-refundable within a week of the start of the program; all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.

Junior Nature Play Afterschool
2023-04-26 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-05-03 15:30 - 17:30
JUNIOR NATURE PLAY AFTERSCHOOL
With: Lauren Dausch
Ages 5-7 or Grades K-1
Wednesdays, 3:30pm-5:30pm
March 22 – June 7 (no program April 19)
Extended Days on March 22, April 5, May 10
Fee per Child: Tier A-$415 | Tier B-$361 | Tier C-$307 | Tier D-$234
Limited to 11 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 Spring Junior Nature Play we will play in the mud and spring rains, look for bugs, and enjoy the warming outdoors. Our instructors provide a safe setting for children to explore nature and encourage children to stretch their limits.

Nature Play Afterschool
2023-04-26 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-05-03 15:30 - 17:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
NATURE PLAY AFTERSCHOOL
With Jeff Mazur
Ages 6-9 or grades 1-3
Wednesdays, 3:30pm-5:30pm
March 22 – June 7 (no program April 19)
Extended Days on March 22, April 5, May 10
Fee per Child: Tier A-$411 | Tier B-$357 | Tier C-$304 | Tier D-$232
Limited to 13 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 spring Nature Play After School we will explore, watch the trees bud, celebrate the green and blooming springtime, and play in the mud. Our instructors provide a safe setting for children to explore nature and encourage children to stretch their limits.

Wild Children of the Woods
2023-04-26 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-05-03 15:30 - 17:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
WILD CHILDREN OF THE WOODS
With: Emily Schuttenberg
Ages 8-11 or Grades 3-5
Wednesdays 3:30-5:30
March 22 – June 7 (no program April 19)
Extended Days on March 22, April 5, May 10
Fee per Child: Tier A-$411 | Tier B-$357 | Tier C-$304 | Tier D-$232
Limited to 13 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 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.

Nature Play Afterschool
2023-04-27 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-05-04 15:30 - 17:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
NATURE PLAY AFTERSCHOOL
With: Emily Schuttenberg
Ages 6-9 or grades 1-3
Thursdays, 3:30pm-5:30pm
March 23 – June 8 (no program April 20)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$325 | Tier B-$282 | Tier C-$240 | Tier D-$183
Limited to 13 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 spring Nature Play After School we will explore, watch the trees bud, celebrate the green and blooming springtime, and play in the mud. Our instructors provide a safe setting for children to explore nature and encourage children to stretch their limits.

Girls into the Wild Afterschool
2023-04-27 15:30 - 17:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
GIRLS INTO THE WILD AFTERSCHOOL
With: Katie Koerten
Ages 8–11 or Grades 3–5
Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm
March 23 – June 8 (no program April 20)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$325 | Tier B-$282| Tier C-$240 | Tier D-$183
Girls into the Wild continues into 2023 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 in the outdoors! Come build your confidence and show your wild side! Any young people with an experience of gender marginalization are welcome!

Fireside Chat with Nolumbeka Project
2023-04-27 18:00 - 19:30
Fireside Chats are back! We invite you to join us fireside at the Hitchcock Center’s Living Building in March and April for our 2023 chats.
They are a great way to enjoy the beauty of a crisp, early-Spring evening and join in engaging conversations on nature-focused topics around a fire with hot beverages and hearty snacks.
Thursday, April 27: Stories of Indigenous Place and Spirit, with Nolumbeka Project

Nature Discovery Preschool: All About Birds
2023-04-28 09:30 - 11:30, 2023-04-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Nature Discovery Spring Preschool Series: All About Birds
With Colleen Kelley
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
Fridays, April 7 – June 16 ( no program April 21)
Morning session: 9:30am-11:30 am
Afternoon session: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Fee per child: Tier A-$434 | Tier B-$377 | Tier C-$321 | Tier D-$245
Limited to 7 families. Limit of 2 children per adult.
Please note: This ten-week series will take place outdoors unless there is extreme weather.
Come welcome in Spring with a ten week series learning all about birds. What makes a bird a bird? What can we find out about feathers, bird food, flight, bird communication, nest building and more!! Through the use of puppets, models, stories, movement and song we will learn together and then explore the local trails to connect to our local bird friends.

20th Annual Spring Birding Course
2023-04-29
20th Annual Spring Birding Course
with Scott Surner
Have you wanted to bird? Do you love birding but don’t get out enough on your own? Then this course is for you, join other birders and the amazing birder Scott Surner for this spring course of going to all the best spots to see all the coolest of birds! This is an intensive course through the spring with many wonderful hours of field trips around New England.
For ages 12 and up. Space is limited to 15 birders. Cost Sliding Scale $750, $700, $650, $600.Class Schedule:

Feb 4th-Local- 7:00-12:00. Kick off the spring class- Winter specialties in the Valley.
Feb 24th-26. Coastal Trip Weekend. Weather permitting of course. Either the North Shore or Cape Cod.
March 4th- 7:00 AM- 12:00 – Local. Returning Waterfowl and late-season winter birds.
March 11th- 7:00-12:00. Local. Waterfowl.
March 18th – 7:00 AM-12:00. Local. More waterfowl. (Hatfield/Turners Falls Area)
April 1st- 7:00-12:00. Local
April 8th- 7:00 AM- 12:00. Local
April 15th- 7:00 AM-12:00. Westover and Tilley Street, Ludlow. Upland Sandpipers, Eastern Meadowlark, early warblers, Rusty Blackbirds?
April 29th- Plum Island. 5:00-Dusk. All Day. Waterfowl, early shorebirds, warblers etc. Last year we encountered a huge flock of Glossy Ibis at the end of the day, over 120 birds. Bring lunch.
May 6th – 6:30 AM- 12:00. Amherst Area. Migration starting to kick into gear. Warblers, Vireo’s etc.
May 13th- 6:30 AM-12:00. Mt. Holyoke. Breeding Cerulean & Worm-eating Warblers.
May 20th- 6;30AM-12:00- Local. Amherst/Hadley Area. Migration at its peak! Warblers, Flycatchers, Vireos, Sparrows etc.
May 27th- NO Class. Memorial Day Weekend.
June 3rd- 5:30-12:00. Southwick Wildlife Area. Grasshopper Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, Indigo Bunting, and Prairie Warblers to name a few.
June 8th- 11th. Connecticut Lakes, Moose Bog, and a new stop in New Hampshire to look for Bicknell’s Thrush. More details to come, but we’ll need to make motel reservations in February. Last year’s trip to this area was very successful. Many species of breeding warblers, Philadelphia Vireo, Canada Jay, Spruce Grouse, American Bittern, Wilson’s Snipe, Cliff Swallows, etc.

Registration opens Friday, January 20 at 9:00 AM
REGISTER HERE

Discovery Day: Marvelous Mammals
2023-05-04 10:00 - 14:00
Marvelous Mammals
With Emily Schuttenberg
May 4, 2023 10am – 2pm
Ages 6-12 or grades 1 – 6
Tier A:$70 Tier B:$61 Tier C:$52 Tier D:$40
Limited to 12 participants
What do porcupines, blue whales and little brown bats have in common? They’re all mammals! And so are we! Join us as we learn about mammal adaptations and the mammals we might run into in our backyards.
