Homeschool II: Biologists in Training
2022-05-31 10:00 - 14:00, 2022-06-07 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
In this evolving weekly homeschool class, we will become biologists, learning more about the life all around us. We will explore life in all sorts of ways – from using a microscope, to venturing into different habitats. We will discover what is underfoot, in the water, or growing right before our eyes. With games, experiments, special guests, home projects and field trips we will have close encounters with different types of living creatures and learn how they survive and thrive. Non-refundable within a week of the start of the program; all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.
With Jeff Mazur
Grades 4-6, Ages 9-12
Tuesdays 10:00am – 2:00 pm
March 8 – June 7 (No program Mar 15, Apr 26, and May 24 for Discovery Days, no class April 19 for April Vacation Week)
Tier A: $732 Tier B:$586 Tier C:$439 Tier D:$293
Limited to 12 participants

Art in the Forest After School Series SPRING
2022-05-31 15:30 - 17:30, 2022-06-07 15:30 - 17:30
Each session of Art in the Forest we will explore and create in the beauty of the outdoors in Spring. The world will be waking up and we’ll be getting outside to make art in it! Our projects could include making casts of animal footprints, painting, and making flower presses. We’ll develop awareness of the details in the natural world and work on our social skills as a group, playing games and building community.
with Aemelia Thompson
Ages 8-11 or Grades 3-5
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30
March 22 – June 7 (no program April 19)
Tier A: $332 Tier B: $265 Tier C: $199 Tier D: $133
Limited to 12 participants

Nature Play Afterschool Series SPRING
2022-05-31 15:30 - 17:30, 2022-06-07 15:30 - 17:30
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 Spring 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.
With Monya Relles
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30
March 22 – June 7 (no program April 19)
Fee per Child: Tier A:$325 | Tier B:$260 | Tier C:$195 | Tier D:$130
Limited to 12 participants

Nature Play Afterschool Series SPRING
2022-06-01 15:30 - 17:30, 2022-06-08 15:30 - 17:30
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 Spring 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.
With Jeff Mazur
Wednesdays, 3:30pm-5:30pm
March 23 – June 8 (no program April 20)
Extended Days on March 23, April 6, & May 11
Fee per Child: Tier A-$403 | Tier B-$322 | Tier C-$242 | Tier D-$161
Limited to 12 participants

Junior Nature Play Afterschool Series SPRING
2022-06-01 15:30 - 17:30, 2022-06-08 15:30 - 17:30
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.
with Aemelia Thompson
Ages 5-7 or Grades K-1
Wednesdays, 3:30pm-5:30pm
March 23 – June 8 (no program April 20)
Extended Days on March 23, April 6, & May 11
Fee per Child: Tier A-$410 | Tier B-$328 | Tier C-$246 | Tier D-$164
Limited to 10 participants

Girls into the Wild Spring (Katie)
2022-06-02 15:30 - 17:30, 2022-06-09 15:30 - 17:30
Girls into the Wild continues into 2022 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!
with Katie Koerten
Ages 8–11 or Grades 3–5
Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm
March 24 – June 9 (no program April 21)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$332 | Tier B-$265| Tier C-$199 | Tier D-$133

Girls into the Wild Spring (Monya)
2022-06-02 15:30 - 17:30, 2022-06-09 15:30 - 17:30
Girls into the Wild continues into 2022 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!
with Monya Relles
Ages 8–11 or Grades 3–5
Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm
March 24 – June 9 (no program April 21)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$332 | Tier B-$265| Tier C-$199 | Tier D-$133

Nature Discovery Preschool Series- Beanstalks to Butterflies: How things change in nature
2022-06-03 09:30 - 11:30, 2022-06-10 09:30 - 11:30, 2022-06-17 09:30 - 11:30
Metamorphosis and how things change in nature is the theme for this popular program. Children will compare their own lives, from newborn to preschooler, with the life cycles of other living things. Through live animal and plant observations, stories, songs, movement, imagery and crafts, children will learn about how and why changes happen. Start your metamorphosis now! An adult must attend with the child to develop a sense of wonder together.
Colleen Kelley
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
Fridays, March 25 – June 17 ( no programs April 15, 22, May 13)
Morning session: 9:30am-11:30 am
Fee per child: Tier A-$361 | Tier B-$289 | Tier C-$217 | Tier D-$145
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.

Nature Discovery Preschool Series- Beanstalks to Butterflies: How things change in nature
2022-06-03 13:00 - 15:00, 2022-06-10 13:00 - 15:00, 2022-06-17 13:00 - 15:00
Metamorphosis and how things change in nature is the theme for this popular program. Children will compare their own lives, from newborn to preschooler, with the life cycles of other living things. Through live animal and plant observations, stories, songs, movement, imagery and crafts, children will learn about how and why changes happen. Start your metamorphosis now! An adult must attend with the child to develop a sense of wonder together.
Colleen Kelley
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
Fridays, March 25 – June 17 ( no programs April 15, 22, May 13)
Afternoon session: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Fee per child: Tier A-$361 | Tier B-$289 | Tier C-$217 | Tier D-$145
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.

Wild Children of the Woods Spring
2022-06-06 15:30 - 17:30
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 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.
With Monya Relles
Ages 8-11 or Grades 3-5
Mondays 3:30-5:30
March 21 – June 6
No program April 18 and May 30th
Tier A:$300 Tier B:$240 Tier C:$180 Tier D:$120
Limited to 12 participants

Nature Play Afterschool Series SPRING
2022-06-06 15:30 - 17:30
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 Spring 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.
with Aemelia Thompson
Ages 6-9 or grades 1-3
Mondays, 3:30-5:30pm
March 21 – June 6 (no program April 18 or May 30)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$300 | Tier B-$240 | Tier C-$180 | Tier D-$120
Limited to 12 participants

Homeschool I: From Raindrop to Reservoir
2022-06-07 10:00 - 14:00
In Homeschool I: Raindrop to Reservoir, we will dive into the exciting world of water. We will explore how all life depends on water, how we humans use water in our daily life, and how we can connect water to our on-site living building. We will approach learning with outdoor play, hands-on activities, journaling, songs, and more.
With Monya Relles
Grades 1-3, Ages 6-8
Tuesdays 10:00am -2:00 pm
March 8 – June 7 (No program Mar 15, Apr 26, and May 24 for Discovery Days, no class April 19 for April Vacation Week)
Tier A: $732 Tier B: $586 Tier C: $439 Tier D: $293
Limited to 12 participants

Spring Birding - Field Trip
2022-06-10 - 2022-06-12 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Winter/Spring Birding Course

with Scott Surner
Join birder extraordinaire and veteran bird course instruction for this bigger and better than ever late winter/spring birding course. This course is all field trips, in all sorts of habitats with all kinds of birds! Course is limited to 12 participants and will be outdoor only for COVID Safety. Participants must be vaccinated and willing to carpool. Sliding Scale Pricing – Tier A- $550 Tier B- $500 Tier C- $450 Tier D- $400.
REGISTER HERE
*Registration opens on Tuesday, January 18 at 9am
FIELD TRIPS:

February 12 – 5AM-Dusk. Cape Ann or Plum Island- Coastal Specialties – Scaups, Common Eider, Harlequin Duck, Surf, Black and White-winged Scoters, Common Goldeneye, Buffleheads, and Red-breasted Mergansers. Purple Sandpipers, Iceland Gull, Glaucous Razorbill, Black Guillemot, and perhaps a Snowy Owl.
February 19 –7AM-12PM. Local – Amherst-Hadley. Winter birds- Hawks, Horned Larks and maybe Lapland Longspur or Snow Buntings. American Tree Sparrows.

February 26 –7AM-12PM. Local – Amherst/Hadley Region. Early waterfowl.

March 5 – 7AM-12PM. Local Waterfowl. By this time waterfowl will be returning to the Valley. We’ll take a look at several vantage points along the Connecticut.

March 19 – 7AM-12PM. Local Waterfowl migration is in full swing. We’ll hit areas in Hadley, Hatfield and Turner’s Falls.

March 26 – 5AM- All Day. Moose Bog, VT. This trip is very weather dependent. Northern Specialties- possibilities include, Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Canada Jay, Boreal Chickadee and perhaps some winter finches, Crossbills, Siskins.

April 2 – 7AM-12PM. Local Local 7:00AM-12:00 Waterfowl and early migrants.

April 9 – 7AM-12PM. Local TBD

April 16 – 7AM-12PM. Ludlow– Looking for Upland Sandpipers at Westover AFB.

April 23rd– 7AM-12PM Fannie Stebbins Refuge, Longmeadow. Early Warblers, (Palm, Yellow-rumped, Pine, Yellow and maybe Northern Waterthrush)

April 30 – 5AM-Dusk. Plum Island. Waterfowl, Egrets, Shorebirds and maybe a lingering Snowy Owl?

May 7 – 7AM-12PM. Local. Warbler migration starting to ramp up. We’ll visit local areas in Amherst.

May 21 – 6:30AM-12PM. Mt.Holyoke We’ll hike up the main road to the Summit House. Nesting Cerulean and Worm-eating Warblers will be our goal.

May 28th– 5:30AM-12PM. Southwick WMA. We visited this area for the first-time last spring. Nesting Grasshopper Sparrows, Field Sparrows, Prairie Warblers, Eastern Meadowlarks and much more.

Overnight Trip – June 10-12– Ct. Lakes, Pittsburg, NH? To be discussed by class.

Second Saturday Family Science
2022-06-11 10:00 - 23:00
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.
January 8th, February 12th, March 12th, April 9th, May 7th*, and June 11th
Suggested Donation: $5–$30 per family
*The Saturday Science on May 7th has been moved to the first Saturday of May due to space availability.
with Aemelia Thompson
Ages 5–7 or Grades K–1
Saturdays, 10–11am

June 11th: 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.

Nature Discovery Preschool Series – Mammal Friends - PM
2022-06-16 08:00 - 17:00
Helen Ann Sephton
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
Wednesdays, September 28- December 14 (no program October 12 & November 23)
Afternoon session: 1:00 – 3:00pm
Fee per Person: Tier A-$434 | Tier B-$377 | Tier C-$321 | Tier D-$245
Limited to 15 participants. Limit of 2 children per adult. Siblings under 3 are free.
We are pleased to announce a second ten-week Nature Discovery Preschool series, taking place on Wednesdays! Come join us this Fall to learn about local mammals living right in our backyards! Squirrels, deer, skunks, rabbits and raccoons will be just a few of the friends we will make during our ten weeks together. We use live animal observations, puppets, stories, games and songs to help explore and discover.
This Nature Discovery Preschool is a ten week series that takes place outdoors unless there is extreme weather.

Chickadee Camp
2022-06-27 08:45 - 13:00, 2022-06-28 08:45 - 13:00
Age 5 (must be entering Kindergarten in fall 2022)
Mondays-Fridays, 8:45am-1pm
Session 1: June 27 – July 1 (one week)
Session 2: July 5 – 15 (two weeks – No camp July 4)
Session 3: July 18 – 22(one week)
Session 4: July 25 – August 5 (two weeks)
Session 5: August 8– 12(one week)
1 Week Sessions: Tier A – $344 Tier B – $275 Tier C – $206 Tier D – $138
Session 2: Tier A – $625 Tier B – $500 Tier C – $375 Tier D – $250
Session 4: Tier A – $688 Tier B – $550 Tier C – $412 Tier D – $275
For the first time ever, the Hitchcock Center is offering a summer program for 5 year olds! Each morning we will have circle time before playing at our favorite Hitchcock places: the mud kitchen, the Discovery Yard, Root City, Ferns and more! Each day has a playful nature theme and we will make nature projects, sing songs, and play games as well as have story and snack, and end with lunch. Space is limited. Children must be five years old and entering Kindergarten in fall 2022 to be eligible to participate.

Nature Summer Camp: Making and Tinkering
2022-06-27 08:45 - 15:00, 2022-06-28 08:45 - 15:00
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 27 – July 1 (one week)
Session 3: July 18 – 22 (one week)
Tier A: $480 Tier B: $385 Tier C: $290 Tier D: $195
This session we are back to tinkering, building, and engineering! Campers will get unstructured exploration time with simple machines, circuitry, batteries and motors. We’ll challenge ourselves with design and build projects like marble runs and model rainwater captures. Of course we will also build and test chain reaction machines (a.k.a. Rube Goldberg machines). While we will use our “Living Building” classrooms for some of our work, we will be based in our outdoor classrooms with games and nature exploration being an integral part of our day. There will be no field trips this session.
