Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Nature Play Afterschool
2019-10-16 15:30 - 17:30, 2019-10-23 13:30 - 17:30, 2019-10-30 15:30 - 17:30, 2019-11-06 15:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York)
Fall is here, and school has started, and your kids still want to be outside! Hitchcock’s Nature Play Afterschool Program is designed to let kids be kids. Together we will run, jump, climb, invent, imagine, play and be a free-range kids all while developing self-confidence and learning valuable social skills. During Fall Nature Play we will explore wooded trails and fields, play in and near streams, build forts, climb trees, make new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us and use our imaginations. Our instructors provide a safe setting for children to explore nature and encourages children to stretch their limits as they balance on logs, hold salamanders, or co-create new games with their peers. Limited to 10 participants. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Ages 6-9, Grades 1-3
With Jeff Mazur
Wednesday Sessions, 3:30-5:30pm: September 11 – December 18 (no class November 27)
Extended days, 1:30-5:30pm: September 25, October 23, December 11
Members: $390/Non-members: $468

Girls into the Wild
2019-10-17 15:30 - 17:30, 2019-10-24 15:30 - 17:30, 2019-11-07 15:30 - 17:30
Sometimes you just need to run, explore and play outdoors! That’s what we do at Girls into the Wild, and lots more. Girls into the Wild is designed to get girls outside, playing and engaging with nature in their own way. Instructor Katie Koerten offers games and activities that each girl can participate in at her own comfort level, from climbing trees, to playing camouflage in the forest, to running and whooping wildly through fields – all while noticing the birds that are singing, the flowers that are blooming and the animals that are leaving tracks behind. Come build your confidence and show your wild side! Families provide their own transportation to the Hitchcock Center. Limited to 10 participants. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Ages 8-11, Grades 3-5
With Katie Koerten
Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm
September 12 – December 19 (no program October 31 or November 28)
Members: $355/Non-members: $426

Nature Discovery Preschool: From Here To There: How Things Move in Nature
2019-10-18 09:30 - 23:30
Welcome back to a fun fall with Colleen. Children and their adult companion will discover all the wonderful ways that nature’s creatures get around- flying, hopping, slithering, and swimming. We will observe how birds and insects fly, how fish swim, animals hop, seeds move and lots more. This program encourages learning through movement, singing, crafts, games, stories and great adventure! Limited to 12 families per session. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
With Colleen Kelley
Friday morning sessions: 9:30-11:30am
September 20, 27, October 11, 18, 25, November 1, 15, 22, December 6, 13
(No class October 4, November 8, 29)
Members: $220 / Non-members: $264

Nature Discovery Preschool: From Here To There: How Things Move in Nature
2019-10-18 13:00 - 15:00, 2019-10-25 13:00 - 15:00, 2019-11-01 13:00 - 15:00
Welcome back to a fun fall with Colleen. Children and their adult companion will discover all the wonderful ways that nature’s creatures get around- flying, hopping, slithering, and swimming. We will observe how birds and insects fly, how fish swim, animals hop, seeds move and lots more. This program encourages learning through movement, singing, crafts, games, stories and great adventure! Limited to 12 families per session. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
With Colleen Kelley
Friday afternoon sessions:1-3pm
September 20, 27, October 11, 18, 25, November 1, 15, 22, December 6, 13
(No class October 4, November 8, 29)
Members: $220/Non-members: $264

Fall Birding Class
2019-10-19 07:00 - 12:00, 2019-10-23 18:30 - 20:00, 2019-10-26 07:00 - 12:00, 2019-10-30 18:30 - 20:00, 2019-11-02 06:00 - 15:00
Join Scott Surner in all his favorite fall birding spots. This course will consist of 4 Wednesday evening classes and 10 field trips to exciting spots locally and throughout New England.

Evening Programs
There will be four evening classes this fall. All programs are held on Wednesday evenings at the Hitchcock Center, starting at 6:30pm and generally end around 8pm. Dates: September 25, October 16, October 30, and November 13.
Field Trips
Saturday, September 28, 7pm-12pm
Local Trip-Fall Warblers and other migrants.
Saturday, October 5, 7pm-12pm
Local Trip- Fall Warblers and Sparrows.
Saturday, October 12, Depart at 6am
Milford Point, Connecticut. All Day. Migrating hawks, shorebirds, and many more. Bring lunch.
Saturday, October 19, 7am – 12pm
Local Trip. Sparrows & waterfowl.
Saturday, October 26, 7am – 12pm
Local Trip. Waterfowl.
Saturday, November 2, 6am – 3pm
Berkshire Lakes Trip. Waterfowl.
Saturday, November 9, 7am – 12pm
Local. Quabbin Reservoir.
Saturday, November 16, 7am – 12pm
Local Trip.
Saturday, November 23-24, Cape Cod. Overnight.
We’ll visit areas from Chatham down to Provincetown. Seabirds, Gannets, late Shearwaters, Gulls, sea ducks, and late migrants. If members of the class decide that this trip is too long, we can substitute the Cape Cod trip with a one-day trip to Cape Ann (North Shore). Note that participants will be responsible for their own motel reservations for the overnight trip to the Cape (more information at the beginning of the class).
Local Trips
Local trips will be to birding destinations in Hampshire, Franklin or Hampden Counties. All trips leave from the Hitchcock Center at the designated times (carpooling encouraged) and we make time for coffee and restroom stops.

with Scott Surner
Wednesdays, 6:30-8pm, September 25, October 16, October 30, and November 13
Saturdays, field trip times vary, September 28-November 24
Members $300/Non-members $360
Registration opens HERE August 28 at 9am. Please note, this class typically fills with a wait list.

Nature Play Afterschool
2019-10-21 15:30 - 17:30, 2019-10-28 15:30 - 17:30, 2019-11-04 15:30 - 16:30
Fall is here, and school has started, and your kids still want to be outside! Hitchcock’s Nature Play Afterschool Program is designed to let kids be kids. Together we will run, jump, climb, invent, imagine, play and be a free-range kids all while developing self-confidence and learning valuable social skills. During Fall Nature Play we will explore wooded trails and fields, play in and near streams, build forts, climb trees, make new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us and use our imaginations. Our instructors provide a safe setting for children to explore nature and encourages children to stretch their limits as they balance on logs, hold salamanders, or co-create new games with their peers. Limited to 10 participants. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Ages 6-9, Grades 1-3
With Aemelia Thompson
Monday Sessions, 3:30-5:30pm: September 9 – December 16 (no class October 14 or November 11)
Members: $300/Non-members $360

Homeschool I: Marvelous Mammals
2019-10-22 10:00 - 14:00, 2019-10-29 10:00 - 14:00
What do porcupines, blue whales and little brown bats have in common? They’re all mammals! And so are we! This fall we’ll be learning all about the world of mammals – which ones live here and what their adaptations are. These furry, warm-blooded creatures are not so different from you and me. What are their lives like, what do they eat, where do they live? What makes them unique from other animals? Each week we’ll focus on a new mammal and its adaptations and natural history. Every day we’ll explore the outdoors, play games, learn new vocabulary words and further the learning at home with optional home projects. Limited to 12 participants. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Ages 6-8
With Katie Koerten
Tuesdays, 10-2pm
September 24, October 8, 15, 22, 29, November 12, 19, 26, December 3, 10
No class October 1 or November 5
Members: $450/Non-members: $540

Homeschool II: Our Valley, Our Home
2019-10-22 10:00 - 14:00, 2019-10-29 10:00 - 14:00
How many different types of habitats are in the Pioneer Valley? Join us this fall as we try and find out! From mountain tops, to caves, to rivers and forest – there is some much to learn about. During this series, we will be exploring our valley – discovering different types of habitats, and learning about the plants and animals that live there. Each week we will visit a new place around the Hitchcock Center and beyond, focusing on how that place is a special part of the valley ecosystem. Every day we will explore the outdoors, play games and further learning at home with optional home projects. Limited to 12 participants. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Ages 9-12
With Jeff Mazur
Tuesdays, 10am-2pm
September 24, October 8, 15, 22, 29, November 12, 19, 26, December 3, 10
No class October 1 or November 5
Members: $450/Non-members: $540

Nature Discovery Preschool: From Here To There: How Things Move in Nature
2019-10-25 09:30 - 11:30, 2019-11-01 09:30 - 11:30
Welcome back to a fun fall with Colleen. Children and their adult companion will discover all the wonderful ways that nature’s creatures get around- flying, hopping, slithering, and swimming. We will observe how birds and insects fly, how fish swim, animals hop, seeds move and lots more. This program encourages learning through movement, singing, crafts, games, stories and great adventure! Limited to 12 families per session. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
With Colleen Kelley
Friday morning sessions: 9:30-11:30am
September 20, 27, October 11, 18, 25, November 1, 15, 22, December 6, 13
(No class October 4, November 8, 29)
Members: $220/Non-members: $264

Explore an Old Growth Habitat
2019-11-03 10:00 - 13:00
Join our Valley’s old-growth forest expert, Bob Leverett, on a walk at the Mohawk Trail State Forest. Come learn what old-growth trees of a variety of species really look like and how their appearance depends partly on their habitat and growing conditions. We will stroll leisurely on graded roads and trails with our eyes trained to the heights as we explore the fascination of these trees. We will visit the Elder Grove to pay our respects to some of these ancient residents. Bob will explain how he measures the trees and update us on the tallest trees. Co-founder of the Eastern Native Tree Society, Bob is brimming with fascinating information!
Meet at the Mohawk State Forest Headquarters building, just off Rt. 2 in Charlemont at 10:00 am. We will finish around 1:00 pm. Dress for weather and bring snacks and water.
Program filled, wait list only
with Bob Leverett
Sunday, November 3, 10am-1pm
$30/person
Registration required

Curriculum Day (No School for Amherst)
2019-11-05 08:30 - 15:00
Schools out? Quick, get your spot at the Hitchcock Center! Curriculum days are a whole lot of fun and learning packed into one day. We will spend much of our time outside so pack weather-appropriate clothing as well as an extra set of clothes just in case. Instructors will provide a supportive environment for each child that encourages them to question, investigate, and wonder. Limited to 12 students. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Grades K-4
with Aemelia Thompson
Tuesday, November 5, 8:30am-3:00pm
$65 members/$78 non-members

Homeschool I: Marvelous Mammals
2019-11-05 10:00 - 14:00
What do porcupines, blue whales and little brown bats have in common? They’re all mammals! And so are we! This fall we’ll be learning all about the world of mammals – which ones live here and what their adaptations are. These furry, warm-blooded creatures are not so different from you and me. What are their lives like, what do they eat, where do they live? What makes them unique from other animals? Each week we’ll focus on a new mammal and its adaptations and natural history. Every day we’ll explore the outdoors, play games, learn new vocabulary words and further the learning at home with optional home projects. Limited to 12 participants. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Ages 6-8
With Katie Koerten
Tuesdays, 10-2pm
September 24, October 8, 15, 22, 29, November 5, 19, 26, December 3, 10
No class October 1 or November 12
Members: $450/Non-members: $540

Homeschool II: Our Valley, Our Home
2019-11-05 10:00 - 14:00
How many different types of habitats are in the Pioneer Valley? Join us this fall as we try and find out! From mountain tops, to caves, to rivers and forest – there is some much to learn about. During this series, we will be exploring our valley – discovering different types of habitats, and learning about the plants and animals that live there. Each week we will visit a new place around the Hitchcock Center and beyond, focusing on how that place is a special part of the valley ecosystem. Every day we will explore the outdoors, play games and further learning at home with optional home projects. Limited to 12 participants. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
Ages 9-12
With Jeff Mazur
Tuesdays, 10am-2pm
September 24, October 8, 15, 22, 29, November 5, 19, 26, December 3, 10
No class October 1 or November 12
Members: $450/Non-members: $540

Landscape and Infrastructure: Re-imagining the Pastoral Paradigm Book Release with author Meg Vickery
2019-11-07 19:00 - 20:30
In her new book local author and lecturer of the History of Art and Architecture Meg Vickery traces the roots and uncovers the significance of the productive activities and elements of pastoral traditions in art and designed landscapes, clearly documenting the persistent and sometimes difficult relationship of aesthetics and production. With rising demand for clean energy, clean water, and locally-grown food, this study offers a historical perspective on how such systems can be integrated into our suburban and urban areas. Vestigial elements of the pastoral tradition have long held aesthetic sway in our suburbs, cities and national parks, both in Britain and America. Now, as new energy- and water-related projects encroach on these spaces, remnants of the pastoral play a crucial role in convincing neighborhood residents, municipal leaders, and energy companies or water authorities of the benefits of a neighboring infrastructure. This book investigates the history of that tradition and highlights the advantages it brings as we re-imagine infrastructure in the twenty-first century.

Thursday, November 7, 7-8:30pm
Light refreshments served
FREE, registration appreciated
