Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Girls into the Wild Afterschool
2023-05-25 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-06-01 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-06-08 15:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | 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!

Nature Discovery Preschool: All About Birds
2023-05-26 09:30 - 11:30, 2023-05-26 13:00 - 15:00, 2023-06-02 09:30 - 11:30, 2023-06-02 13:00 - 15:00, 2023-06-09 09:30 - 11:30, 2023-06-09 13:00 - 15:00, 2023-06-16 09:30 - 11:30, 2023-06-16 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.

Homeschool I: The Science of Small Things
2023-05-30 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
2023-05-30 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
2023-05-31 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-06-07 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
2023-05-31 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-06-07 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
2023-05-31 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-06-07 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
2023-06-01 15:30 - 17:30, 2023-06-08 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.

20th Annual Spring Birding Course
2023-06-03 05:30 - 12:00, 2023-06-08 - 2023-06-11
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

Forest Bathing ART Workshop
2023-06-04 09:00 - 16:00
Forest Bathing ART Workshop
June 4th – 9am – 4pm
Limited to 12 participants
Sliding Scale Price: $80, $100, or $120

Spring is a time of awakening and reemergence from the dark of winter. Come experience this changing of the seasons on a Forest Bathing walk with Todd Lynch, certified ANFT Forest Bathing guide. Forest Bathing offers the opportunity to slow down. It re-aligns our rhythms with the landscape, allowing our senses a respite from everyday demands and uncertainties, and gives us a template to practice on our own time at home. It’s a chance to remember ourselves and the joyful relationships that await us outside. Come experience what the Forest at the Hitchcock Center might share on this 2 hour experience.
REGISTER HERE
About Todd: Todd Lynch is an artist, garden designer and Forest Bathing guide. His passion is to connect people to the world around them through art, plants, beauty and immersion into nature. Todd is an ANFT certified forest therapy guide and has led many walks that connect people to place, plants and ecology. Learn more about Todd at www.ecotropy.net or see some stories on Instagram @ecotropy

Wild Children of the Woods
2023-06-05 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.

Discovery Day: Life in a Pond
2023-06-06 10:00 - 14:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Life in a Pond
With Emily Schuttenberg
June 6, 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
Living in the pond isn’t easy, but dragonfly nymphs, whirligig beetles, and giant water bugs have what it takes! At this class we’ll learn about the amazing adaptations that aquatic insects have to survive, then we’ll take the PVTA to Bramble Hill Farm to collect and observe a wonderful diversity of live specimens.

Second Saturday Family Science
2023-06-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
with Emily Schuttenberg
Ages 5–7 or Grades K–1
Second Saturdays, 10–11am
Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 11, April 8, May 13, June 10
Suggested Donation: $5–$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.
June 10: Poisonous or Venomous
What’s the difference between poisonous and venomous? Where do these toxins come from? How do plants and animals use their toxins? In this Saturday Science we will explore the answers to these questions with hands-on activities, games, and nature exploration.

Chickadee Camp
2023-06-26 08:45 - 13:00, 2023-06-27 08:45 - 13:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Chickadee Camp
Age 5 (must be entering Kindergarten in fall 2023)
Mondays-Fridays, 8:45am-1pm
Session 1: June 26 – June 30 (one week)
Session 2: July 3 – 14 (two weeks
Session 3: July 17 – 21 (one week)
Session 4: July 24 – August 4 (two weeks)
Session 5: August 7 – August 11 (one week)
Fees for 1 week: Tier A $364; Tier B $303; Tier C $258; Tier D $197
Fees for 2 week: Tier A $727; Tier B $606; Tier C $515; Tier D $394
Chickadee Camp is back in summer 2023! This program, designed for rising Kindergartners, is a great first outdoor day camp experience for young ones. Nurturing counselors will facilitate safe and curious exploration of the Discovery Yard and Hitchcock trails while sharing enthusiasm and joyful nature connection. Each day includes morning circle, snack time, song, story, lunch time, games and lots of discovery! The goal of Chickadee camp is for rising Kindergartners to use all their senses to explore nature and feel comfortable and safe learning and playing outdoors. Space is limited.
Children must be five years old and entering Kindergarten in fall 2023 to be eligible to participate. This camp runs from 8:45am to 1:00 pm.

Nature Summer Camp: Making and Tinkering
2023-06-26 08:45 - 15:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Making and Tinkering
Young Naturalists: Entering grades 1-2
Eco-investigators: Entering grades 3-4
Nature Explorers: Entering grades 5-6
Mondays-Fridays, 8:45am-3pm
Session 1: June 26 – June 30 (one week)
Session 4: July 24 – August 4 (two weeks)

Fees for the 1 week session: Tier A $509; Tier B $424; Tier C $360; Tier D $276
Fees for the 2 week session: Tier A $958; Tier B $798; Tier C $678; Tier D $519
Become a nature-inspired inventor! Campers will spend this week outdoors exploring science and biomimicry, and then applying what they learn to create! And yes, chain reaction machines (a.k.a. Rube Goldberg machines) will be part of the fun too! Through investigation and play, campers will discover nature’s smartest lessons and use them to playfully solve problems. By learning from the world around us, we can become sustainable engineers! For the two week session there will be more to explore and field trips.
