Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Junior Nature Play Afterschool: Spring
2025-06-11 15:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York)
With: Lauren Dausch
Grades K-2
Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
March 26 – June 11 (no program April 23)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$332 | Tier B-$288 | Tier C-$245
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 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: Spring
2025-06-11 15:30 - 17:30
With Jeff Mazur
Grades 2-4
Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
March 26 – June 11 (no program April 23)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$332 | Tier B-$288 | Tier C-$245
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 spring Nature Play Afterschool 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.

Junior Nature Play Afterschool: Spring
2025-06-12 15:30 - 17:30
With: Lauren Dausch
Grades K-2
Thursdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
March 27 – June 12 (no program April 24)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$328 | Tier B-$285 | Tier C-$242
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. In spring Junior Nature Play Afterschool 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.

Firefly Ecology Fireside Program
2025-06-12 20:30 - 21:30
with John Green
Thursday, June 12, 8:30pm
Sliding Scale $10, $20, $30

Do you love the ephemeral season of fireflies? Or maybe you call them lightning bugs, either way come and learn about and enjoy some guided firefly watching. We will have a fire going and snacks so we can talk about fireflies in Hitchcock gardens before we head to fields to revel in them together, a truly magical group experience.

Little Bear Nature Walk
2025-06-13 10:00 - 11:15
Come along on a Little Bear Nature Walk! Little Bear Nature Walks are a way for toddlers, preschoolers and their caregivers to explore nature in an age-appropriate way. Click here to find today’s theme, location, and to register!

Little Bear Nature Walks
2025-06-13 10:00 - 11:15, 2025-06-17 10:00 - 11:15, 2025-06-20 10:00 - 11:15, 2025-06-25 10:00 - 11:15, 2025-06-28 10:00 - 11:15, 2025-07-01 10:00 - 11:15

Battle of the Botanicals
2025-06-18 18:00 - 21:00
We will be inviting some of our region’s top bartender/chef teams to profile their talents and help us raise funds for the Hitchcock Center for the Environment’s environmental justice programs. This event is 21+.
Held on Wednesday, June 18 from 6 – 9 p.m. this ticketed fundraiser is expected to draw 300+ people. Each restaurant team will present a tasting station with an appetizer and cocktail sample that highlight a signature botanical feature. The three top-voted bartenders will then take the stage for a live cocktail mix-off!
A panel of local celebrity judges will name the winner!
Get Tickets

Spring Birding Course: Maine Trip
2025-06-20 - 2025-06-22
(February – June 2025) An optional add-on to the Hitchcock Center’s annual Spring Birding course! The class focuses on identification and migration of New England birds. Click here to get information about each session.

Chickadee Camp
2025-06-30 08:45 - 13:00, 2025-07-01 08:45 - 13:00, 2025-07-02 08:45 - 13:00, 2025-07-03 08:45 - 13:00, 2025-07-07 08:45 - 13:00, 2025-07-08 08:45 - 13:00, 2025-07-09 08:45 - 13:00
Entering Kindergarten*
Mondays – Fridays, 8:45 am – 1 pm
Session 1: June 30 – July 3rd (one week) (no camp on July 4th)
Session 2: July 7 – July 18 (two weeks)
Session 3: July 21 – July 25 (one week)
Session 4: July 28 – August 8 (two weeks)
Session 5: August 11 – August 15 (one week)
The Chickadee program is a safe, nurturing first outdoor day camp experience for young ones. Attentive and loving counselors facilitate safe and curious exploration of the Discovery Yard and Hitchcock trails while sharing enthusiasm and joyful nature connection.

Nature Summer Camp: Animal Superheroes
2025-06-30 08:45 - 15:00, 2025-07-01 08:45 - 15:00, 2025-07-02 08:45 - 15:00, 2025-07-03 08:45 - 15:00
June 30 – July 3rd (one week) (no camp on July 4th)
8:45 am – 3 pm
Fees for Session 1: Tier A $415; Tier B $360; Tier C $325
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. Through outdoor activities, games, observation, nature hikes, and art projects, we will encounter ordinary superheroes with extraordinary adaptations.

Nature Summer Camp: No Place Like Home
2025-07-07 08:45 - 15:00, 2025-07-08 08:45 - 15:00, 2025-07-09 08:45 - 15:00
July 7 – July 18 (two weeks)
8:45 am – 3 pm
Fees for Session 2: Tier A $1020; Tier B $885; Tier C $800
Explore field, forest, farms, and community to discover the fascinating connections of the place we call home. Through hands-on experiences within these habitats, mixed with stories, songs, games, and crafts, we will build our sense of place as we investigate the human and natural history of this place, how our ecosystems work, and all about the many creatures who all call this place home.

Leadership Training Camp
2025-07-07 08:45 - 15:00, 2025-07-08 08:45 - 15:00, 2025-07-09 08:45 - 15:00
July 7 – July 18 (two weeks)
8:45 am – 3 pm
Fees for Session 2: Tier A $1035; Tier B $900; Tier C $810

LTC is a place where teens can develop their skills as naturalists, problem solvers, and community members, and returning leaders can strengthen the skills they’ve been working on. 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 build leadership skills in life, or who just want to learn new skills and have some fun.
