Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Nature Play Afterschool
2016-10-12 15:30 - 17:30, 2016-10-05 15:30 - 17:30, 2016-09-28 15:30 - 17:30, 2016-09-21 13:30 - 17:30, 2016-09-14 15:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Hitchcock’s Nature Play Afterschool Program for children ages 6–9 is all about getting kids outside to run, jump, climb, splash, invent, imagine, play and be a free-range kid. There are many positive impacts of nature play on children’s social, emotional, intellectual, and physical well-being.
with Jeff Mazur
Wednesdays – 3:30pm-5:30pm, extended days 1:30pm-5:30pm
September 14 – December 21 (no class November 23)
Extended days: Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Dec 14
Members: $357/Non-members: $388
On early-release Wednesdays we meet from 1:30pm-5:30pm. Limited to 10 participants.

Space is limited. These programs are part of a series and are not open as drop-in classes. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.

Homeschool II: Digital Ecology
2016-10-11 10:00 - 14:00, 2016-10-04 10:00 - 14:00, 2016-09-20 10:00 - 14:00
with Jeff Mazur
Ages 9-12
Tuesdays, 10:00am-2:00pm
10 classes: September 13, 20, October 4, 11, 18, November 1, 8, 22, 29, December 6
Members: $420/Non-members: $448
Join us to become Eco-photographers! We will be using the camera as a tool to study nature and enhance our observation skills. We’ll explore our world by viewing it through different lenses. During this fall’s Homeschool II class we will delve into the environment through outdoor activities, games, observations and investigations, field trips, art and photography projects. We will investigate different habitats and change how we see the world around us and be the first to document what is living in Hitchcock’s new trail system. Limited to 10 participants.

Homeschool I: Marvelous Mammals
2016-10-11 10:00 - 14:00, 2016-10-04 10:00 - 14:00, 2016-09-20 10:00 - 14:00
with Katie Koerten
Ages 6-8
Tuesdays, 10:00am-2:00pm
10 classes: September 13, 20, October 4, 11, 18, November 1, 8, 22, 29, December 6
Members: $420/Non-members: $448
Come to our first homeschool class in the new Hitchcock Center Living Building, now in a 10-week format! This fall we’ll be learning all about bears, bats, squirrels and more as we dive into the world of mammals. These furry, warm-blooded creatures share a lot in common with us humans. 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. With special visitors, field trips and live animal observations, we’ll discover who these creatures are and what we have in common with them. Online registration opens Tuesday, June 21. Limited to 12 participants.

Nature Discovery Preschool
2016-10-07 13:00 - 15:00, 2016-09-30 13:00 - 15:00, 2016-09-30 09:30 - 11:30, 2016-09-23 13:00 - 15:00, 2016-09-23 09:30 - 11:30
Under Your Toes to Above Your Nose – Layers of the Forest
with Colleen Kelley
Ages 3-5 (adult required to attend with child)
Fridays, Morning session: 9:30am-11:30am
Afternoon session: 1:00pm-3:00pm
September 23, 30, October 7, 21, 28, November 4, 18, December 2, 9, 16
Members: $205/Non-members: $225
Limited to 12 families per session
Come join us this Fall to explore the layers of the forest – starting with under your toes and all the wonders of soil and who lives there – to above your nose exploring the sun, clouds and wind in the sky! Through live animal observations, puppets, games and model making, each week will focus on a different layer of the forest.

Space is limited. An adult is required to attend with child. This program is part of a series and is not open as a drop-in class. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.

Nature Discovery Preschool
2016-10-07 09:30 - 11:30
Under Your Toes to Above Your Nose – Layers of the Forest
with Colleen Kelley
Ages 3-5 (adult required to attend with child)
Fridays, Morning session: 9:30am-11:30am
Afternoon session: 1:00pm-3:00pm
September 23, 30, October 7, 21, 28 (no program on October 21), November 4, 18, December 2, 9, 16
Members: $205/Non-members: $225
Limited to 12 families per session
Come join us this Fall to explore the layers of the forest – starting with under your toes and all the wonders of soil and who lives there – to above your nose exploring the sun, clouds and wind in the sky! Through live animal observations, puppets, games and model making, each week will focus on a different layer of the forest.

Space is limited. An adult is required to attend with child. This program is part of a series and is not open as a drop-in class. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.

Girls Into the Wild
2016-10-06 15:30 - 17:30, 2016-09-29 15:30 - 17:30, 2016-09-22 15:30 - 17:30, 2016-09-15 15:30 - 17:30
with Katie Koerten
Ages 8-11, Grades 3-5
Thursdays, September 15 – December 15 (no class November 24)
3:30pm-5:30pm
Members: $351/Non-members: $416

Calling all girls ages 8-11! Get to know nature, and make friends at the same time at this weekly afterschool program. Now in its third year, Girls into the Wild is designed to bring girls together in a supportive environment that fosters creativity, nature skills and inquiry. Each afternoon will consist of hands-on projects and free outdoor exploration at the Larch Hill Conservation Area. Through playing games, exploring nearby habitats, and connecting with nature, we will develop our confidence, build friendships and have a lot of fun learning! Families provide their own transportation to the Hitchcock Center. Limited to 10 participants.

These programs are part of a series and are not open as a drop-in classes. 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.

Volunteer Training
2016-10-05 15:00 - 17:00, 2016-09-21 09:00 - 11:00
Living Building Docent
We are looking to train docents to lead our building tours for the public and special groups. The new building offers an opportunity to use our building as an educational tool to teach about energy efficiency, rainwater capture, composting toilets, non toxic building materials, etc. We are looking for individuals passionate about green building and comfortable leading and talking to the public.
Becoming a Living Building Docent requires you take 2 trainings followed by a practice tour and be able to commit to offering two tours a month.
Current Training Dates:
Wednesday, September 21st 9am – 11am
Wednesday, October 5th 3pm – 5pm
Learn more about volunteering here.

Grand Opening Celebration!
2016-10-01 10:00 - 16:00
Grand Opening Celebration!
845 West Street, Amherst (**please see locations & times below**)
Saturday, October 1
FREE
Update 10/1: All celebration activities are happening as scheduled, rain or shine.
We welcome you and your family to join us as we premier our new Living Building and launch a new era of environmental education programs. Our grand opening celebration is open to all and will feature:
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IMPORTANT
Events begin at 845 West Street at noon. If you would like to come at 10AM to join the parade, please start with us at 525 South Pleasant Street.
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SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
Migration parade • Starting at 10am
From 525 S. Pleasant Street to 845 West Street
2 1/2 miles • shuttle return available • rain or shine
Opening ceremony • Starting at 12pm
At our new home • 845 West Street (Route 116)
Activities for the whole family • 12:30–4pm
Children’s games & investigations • food truck• ice cream social • building tours • nature walks • meet the animals & more!
ACCESSIBILITY
While the morning migration parade is not accessible, we currently offer three accessible parking spaces and walkways around the building. Our building supports accessible access throughout. Future trail planing includes accessible access, but are only roughed in at this point.
SPANISH LANGUAGE TRANSLATION
We will have 3 translators available on site during the grand opening for translation during building tours and nature walks.
Subscribe to our email list and watch your inbox for more specific details as our Grand Opening Celebration nears!
Not familiar with our new building yet? Find answers to your questions.

Volunteer Training
2016-09-27 15:30 - 17:00
Visitor Center/Reception
The Visitor Center will be the heart of our new living building. We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to greet the public and introduce them to our building and philosophy, as well as orient them to our programs, trails, gardens, and exhibits, etc. This will also include sharing the live animals, answering the phones, administrative tasks and helping to maintain the tidiness of the space. We are looking for a weekly shift commitment and participation in a volunteer training.
Current Training Dates :
Wednesday, September 7th 10am-11:30am
Friday, September 9th 1pm-2:30pm
Tuesday, September 27th 3:30pm-5pm
Thursday, October 20th 10am – 11:30am
Learn more about volunteering here.

Homeschool Discovery Day
2016-09-27 10:00 - 14:00
with Patrick O’Roark
Tuesdays 10:00am-2:00pm
Ages 6-12
Members: $42 per day /Non-members: $46 per day
Tuesdays, September 27 , October 25, November 15 , December 13
Do you love science and nature? Do you want to see what the Hitchcock Homeschool program is all about? Sign up for our Discovery Days, our one-time programs about science and nature. Themes to be announced this summer. Limited to 12 participants per program.

Monarch Tagging
2016-09-17 16:00 - 18:00
with Jennifer Unkles

Wednesday, September 14, 4-6pm
Saturday, September 17, 4-6pm (after Caterpillar Lab)
FREE, but registration appreciated
It’s time to tag monarchs before they head south to the overwintering grounds in Mexico. Join Hitchcock Educator Jennifer Unkles who has been tagging monarchs since 1997, to learn about the monarch’s life cycle, their epic annual migration, how the tagging program works, and tag any monarchs you’re able to catch and release! Bring your family and bring the kids for this hands-on citizen science tradition!

Caterpillar Lab
2016-09-17 13:00 - 16:00
Join the folks from the Caterpillar Lab in Keene, New Hampshire, to see their collection of butterfly and moth caterpillars. They’ll display them on tables in our classroom for all to see up close. You’ll observe cool camouflage, warning coloration, spikey spines, horns and false eyes! And you might even smell some new smells! Each larva will be eating its specific host food plant. And you’ll see photos of the butterflies and moths that emerge from these curious, crawling critters! The variety of amazing adaptations will inspire you about the diversity of life on the planet. If you haven’t already experienced this impressive display, you’re in for a treat. Bring your family, friends and other teachers!

Open House for Teachers
2016-09-17 13:00 - 16:00
You are invited to join Hitchcock Center educators and staff for an Open House at the Center’s new “Living” building on September 17, 2016, from 1:00-4:00PM. This is your chance to see our new one-of-a-kind educator! This event and all activities are free and open to families, children, and friends. Come join us at 845 West St. in Amherst!

Please join us to:

Tour our new Living Building and trails – tours at 2:00 & 3:00
Learn about new school programs – presented at 1:30 & 2:30
Chat with Hitchcock educators about your school program wants and needs
Experience the Caterpillar Lab – 1:00-4:00
Join citizen science monarch tagging – 4:00

Monarch Tagging
2016-09-14 16:00 - 18:00
with Jennifer Unkles

Wednesday, September 14, 4-6pm OR
Saturday, September 17, 4pm (after Caterpillar Lab)
FREE, but registration appreciated
It’s time to tag monarchs before they head south to the overwintering grounds in Mexico. Join Hitchcock Educator Jennifer Unkles who has been tagging monarchs since 1997, to learn about the monarch’s life cycle, their epic annual migration, how the tagging program works, and tag any monarchs you’re able to catch and release! Bring your family and bring the kids for this hands-on citizen science tradition!
