Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Wild Children of the Woods
2023-11-27 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-12-04 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-12-11 15:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York)
WILD CHILDREN OF THE WOODS SERIES
With Monya Relles
Ages 8-11 or Grades 3-5
Mondays, 3:30-5:30pm
September 11 – December 18 (no program September 25 and October 9)
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.

Homeschool I: Magnificent Mammals
2023-11-28 10:00 - 14:00, 2023-12-05 10:00 - 14:00
Homeschool I: Magnificent Mammals
With Lauren Dausch
Grades 1-3, Ages 6-8
Tuesdays 10:00am -2:00 pm
September 12 -December 5 (No program September 26, November 21, and December 12 for Discovery Days and November 7th for Curriculum Day)
Tier A:$781 Tier B:$651 Tier C:$553 Tier D:$423
Limited to 12 participants
What are mammals and why are they unique? Are all mammal life cycles the same? What roles do different mammals play in our local ecosystems? This fall we will study a variety of local mammals and learn about their behavior. Together we’ll interact with the land around us as we utilize outdoor play, hands-on activities, journaling, songs, and more to enhance our understanding and knowledge of our incredible local mammal friends!

Homeschool II: Outdoor Skills and Exploration
2023-11-28 10:00 - 14:00, 2023-12-05 10:00 - 14:00
Homeschool II: Outdoor Skills and Exploration
With Jeff Mazur
Grades 4-6, Ages 9-12
Tuesdays 10:00am – 2:00 pm
September 12 -December 5 (No program September 26, November 21, and December 12 for Discovery Days and November 7th for Curriculum Day)
Tier A:$781 Tier B:$651 Tier C:$553 Tier D:$423
Limited to 12 participants (if over enrolled, we may open a second class on Thursdays)
Join us as we explore the woods of Hampshire College Campus and other beautiful areas in and around Amherst. During this series, we will build our wilderness skills and overcome challenges together. As we enter into our own survival story, we will need to develop skills to help us to survive, such as, orienteering, fire building, shelter making, plant identification, tracking, and more! This class will also have time built in for free play, journal time to reflect on our experiences and organized games. For this class there may be drop off and pick up locations at the Hitchcock Center, or within a 20 minute drive from the Center.

Junior Nature Play Afterschool
2023-11-29 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-12-06 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-12-13 15:30 - 17:30
JUNIOR NATURE PLAY AFTERSCHOOL

With Lauren Dausch
Ages 5-7 or Grades K-2
Wednesdays, 3:30pm-5:30pm
September 6 – December 20 (no program November 22)
Tier A:$453 Tier B:$378 Tier C:$321 Tier D:$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 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
2023-11-29 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-12-06 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-12-13 15:30 - 17:30
NATURE PLAY AFTERSCHOOL

With Jeff Mazur
Ages 8-11 or Grades 3-5
Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30
September 6 – December 20 (no program November 22)
Tier A:$453 | Tier B:$378 | Tier C:$321 | Tier D:$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. 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.

Climate Action Series: Low Impact Landscapes
2023-11-29 19:00 - 20:00
How to Design Low Maintenance and Low Impact Landscapes that Enhance the Ecology of Place
with Owen Wormser
Wednesday, November 29th at 7:00 PM
Virtual workshop
Registration required, donations appreciated.

Learn how to create beautiful, low-maintenance, low impact, native landscapes. Using techniques based on the observation of the natural world and emulation of existing plant communities, landscape designer and author Owen Wormser offers key techniques for creating beneficial, easy to care for landscapes that support wildlife and enhance habitat. Students will discover important functional and aesthetic qualities offered by native species that are the building blocks for sustainable landscapes. A handful of participants will be chosen to share their land and gardens in the form of photographs and plans that will be used as examples for discussion. Registration required, donations appreciated.
REGISTER FOR THIS WORKSHOP

Nature Play Afterschool
2023-11-30 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-12-07 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-12-14 15:30 - 17:30
NATURE PLAY AFTERSCHOOL

With Lauren Dausch
Ages 8-11 or Grades 3-5
Thursdays, 3:30-5:30
September 7 – December 21 (*Extended day Oct 26, no program November 23)
Tier A:$480 | Tier B:$400 | Tier C:$340 | Tier D:$260
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.

Girls into the Wild
2023-11-30 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-12-07 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-12-14 15:30 - 17:30
GIRLS INTO THE WILD AFTERSCHOOL
with Katie Koerten
Ages 9-12 or Grades 4-6
Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm
September 7 – December 21 (*Extended day Oct 26, no program November 23)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$480 | Tier B-$400| Tier C-$340 | Tier D-$260
Limited to 12 participants
Girls into the Wild is back in Fall 2023 for more romping wildly through the field and forests of the Hitchcock Center. Please note the age adjustment: GITW has shifted to be for students in grades 4 through 6. 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! *Extended day hours on Oct 26 are 1pm-5:30pm due to early release for Amherst Public Schools.

Nature Discovery Preschool: From Here to There (AM)
2023-12-01 09:30 - 11:30, 2023-12-08 09:30 - 11:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Fall Nature Discovery Preschool Series – From Here to There: How Things Move in Nature
Colleen Kelley
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
Fridays, September 15 – December 8 (no programs October 13, November 10 & 24)
Morning session: 9:30am-11:30 am
Afternoon session: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Fee per Child: Tier A-$477 | Tier B-$398 | Tier C-$338 | Tier D-$258
Limited to 16 participants. Limit of 2 children per adult. Siblings under 3 are free.
Welcome back to a fun Fall with Colleen. Children and their parents will discover all the wonderful ways that nature’s creatures get around- flying, hopping, slithering and swimming. This program encourages learning through movement, singing, crafts ,games, stories and great adventures. A parent or guardian must attend with the child.
This Nature Discovery Preschool is a ten week series that takes place outdoors unless there is extreme weather.

Nature Discovery Preschool: From Here to There (PM)
2023-12-01 13:00 - 15:00, 2023-12-08 13:00 - 15:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002

Ice and Snow: The Cold Story
2023-12-05 18:30 - 20:00
Ice and Snow: The Cold Story
with John Green
Tuesday, December 5, 6:30pm – 8pm
Registration and Donations appreciated
Winter is beautiful and John Green’s photos will remind you!
Here in New England we are fortunate to have four distinct seasons. Although, due to warming climate the annual temperature average may be higher now than in the past. In southern New England we still experience the influx of migrating birds and blossoming flowers in the spring; thunderstorms and rainbow during the summer and colorful foliage, reverse bird migration and leaf fall in the autumn. However, recent winters have been less dynamic than those we have experienced historically; landscapes are seldom totally transformed by snow cover and waterways are rarely completely immobilized by icy conditions due to sustained frigid temperatures. Fortunately, John has been photographing wintry conditions dating back to the mid 1970’s and the this program ICE and SNOW is the result of my love for the season of cold.
REGISTER HERE

Building Closed Until 2:30 PM
2023-12-06 09:00 - 14:30
Hitchcock Center’s Living Building will be closed until 2:30 PM on 12/6 for a staff event. Thank you!

Fun Friday Frolics Afterschool
2023-12-08 13:00 - 17:30
FUN FRIDAY FROLICS **NEW!!**
with Lauren Dausch
Ages: Ages 6-9 or grades 1 – 3*
Fridays, 1:00 – 5:30pm
Fee per Child: Tier A-$82 | Tier B-$68| Tier C-$58 | Tier D-$44
Limited to 12 participants

New! Come frolic in the forest on this Friday afternoon early release day for Amherst elementary schoolers! Bring a snack, lunch and water bottle and come prepared to play outside, no matter what the weather! Limited to 12 participants. *Depending on enrollment, your Kindergartner or 4th grader may be able to join.
December 8: Wondrous Winter

Second Saturday Family Science
2023-12-09 10:00 - 11:00
with Lauren Dausch
Ages 5–7 or Grades K–1
Second Saturdays of the month, 10–11am
September 9, October 14, November 11, December 9
Suggested Donation: $10–$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 9: Signs of Animals in Winter (Inside/outside)
The winter season is abundant with life even when it doesn’t seem so. Come join us as we learn how to recognize signs of animals in winter, and discover the unique features of the season!

Storytelling Saturday
2023-12-09 11:00 - 15:00
Storytelling Saturday
With Monya Relles
Saturday, December 9
Suggested ages 11-14
Special time: 11am to 3pm
Suggested Donation: $10-$40 per teen
Come visit for a Saturday and play a role playing game (RPG) like Dungeons and Dragons. We’ll build a character and go on a group adventure with Hitchcock Educator Monya as our guide. It might be silly or serious but either way it will be loads of fun.
Adults are welcome at the center during this time but not required to stay for programming. This program will be inside for the duration and masks are welcome but not required.

Discovery Day: Following the fossils
2023-12-12 10:00 - 14:00
Following the fossils
With Emily Schuttenberg
December 12, 10am-2pm
Grades 1-6, Ages 6-12
Tier A:$79 Tier B:$66 Tier C:$56 Tier D:$43
Limited to 12 participants
How can we learn about the amazing animals and plants that lived in the Connecticut Valley hundreds, thousands, and even millions of years ago? By following the fossils! To find these fabulous fossils, we’ll visit the Beneski Museum and explore its collections.
