Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Virtual Saturday Family Science Series: Life Underground (ages 5-8)
2020-07-25 10:00 - 10:40 (America/New_York)
Life Underground
Saturday, July 25, 10-10:40am
Does a hole in the earth sound like a comfy place to live? To some animals it absolutely does! Living underground takes serious work but it is also a place many animals make their homes or live out their whole lives. Many of the animals that use the earth as their dwelling live right here in Massachusetts. Come dig in with us! Learn more about this series.
Recommended for ages 5-8
Suggested donation: $5 per child
Maximum group size: 16 children
Registration opens July 21

Game Day Getaway (ages 8–12)
2020-07-23 10:00 - 12:00, 2020-07-09 10:00 - 12:00, 2020-07-02 10:00 - 12:00
Games are a great way to embrace summer fun. In this two-hour all outdoors program, children can be a part of a small group and enjoy the company of other kids playing classic camp games in safety. We’ll spend our time playing verbal games maintaining social distance, and physical games, which can be played in parallel with other kids. Physical games will include classics like Charades, animal style relay races, and Motion Telephone. Verbal games will include Werewolf, Mind Meld, and Contact. While this program will be offered multiple times, each one will consist of games that encourage social distancing, therefore in each session some games may repeat from day to day. Days with inclement weather will need to be rescheduled.
with Aemelia Thompson, Hitchcock Educator
Thursdays, 10–12noon, July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23 and July 30
Fee Per Child: Tier A-$30 per day | Tier B-$24 per day | Tier C-$18 per day

REGISTER HERE
Learn more about our Summer 2020 Children and Family Programs.

Nature Explorer Family Field Trip: Life in a Pond (all ages)
2020-07-22 10:00 - 12:00, 2020-07-15 10:00 - 12:00, 2020-07-08 10:00 - 12:00, 2020-07-01 10:00 - 12:00
A pond is much more than frogs and fish! It demonstrates a beautiful web of life from algae and microscopic organisms to insect larvae and amphibians. We will use our limnology lab tools to practice techniques for observing small aquatic creatures and learning about their unique life cycles and adaptations. At the pond, we will collect and observe several varieties of invertebrates that depend on this habitat.
Join one of our talented Hitchcock Center educators and choose among many fun-filled and hands-on field trips designed for the whole family (age levels for children vary as indicated below). Each field trip is two hours in length. Consider extending the trip by packing a picnic lunch and staying after the program ends! Adults without children are welcome too!!
Wednesdays, 10am–12noon on July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, August 6, 13
Fee per Child: Tier A-$28 per trip | Tier B-$22 per trip | Tier C-$17 per trip
Fee per Adult: Tier A-$33 per trip | Tier B-$26 per trip | Tier C-$20 per trip
(limit up to two adults and three children per family)
REGISTER HERE
Learn more about our Summer 2020 Children and Family Programs.

Nature Discovery Family Adventures: Fairy Houses (ages 3–5)
2020-07-22 10:00 - 11:30
This family program is a wonderful way to spend time outdoors with your young one(s), discovering nature together with Colleen Kelley. We will socially distance for circle time. Each family will be given their own discovery tools to use on our adventure together. We will enjoy a fun story at the end of each session. Choose from one or more of our three themed offerings.

Colors in Nature, July 8 There are so many colors growing outside! We will explore with a collector band and nature art palette and see how many colors we can discover together.
Fairy Houses, July 22 The forest fairies have been waiting for some help in building them new houses! We will take a walk in to the forest and find the perfect place to build some enchanting fairy houses. After story time we will go on a house tour to visit each others creations and see if the fairies have moved in yet!
Little Critters, August 12 So many little creatures have been growing in the fields and forest as the weather warms up. We will use some special tools to search the fields and forests near the Hitchcock Center to see who is flying, crawling and sliding around!

with Colleen Kelley, Hitchcock Educator
Wednesday, 10–11:30am, July 8, July 22, August 12
Fee per Child: Tier A-$20 per day | Tier B-$16 per day | Tier C-$12 per day
Fee per Adult: Tier A-$25 per day | Tier B-$20 per day | Tier C-$15 per day
(limit 1 adult with up to 2 children)
REGISTER HERE
Learn more about our Summer 2020 Children and Family Programs.

Hike and Stream Catch (ages 8–12)
2020-07-21 10:00 - 14:00, 2020-07-07 10:00 - 14:00, 2020-06-30 10:00 - 14:00
Come join an all-outdoor group experience where we’ll hike, explore the woods, catch creatures in a stream, and play games. From the Hitchcock Center, we will hike to the Hampshire woods. Once there, we will spread out along the banks of a stream, each with our own net and basin, to cool our feet in the water and see what creatures we can find. We’ll then make our way to a nearby open field for a socially distant lunch and end with storytelling games. During this four hour program, children will be required to wear masks while hiking and in the stream. We will all sanitize before eating lunch. Social distance will be maintained during the stream catch and games. Days with inclement weather will need to be rescheduled.
with Aemelia Thompson, Hitchcock Educator
Tuesdays, 10am–2pm
June 30, July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28
Fee Per Child: Tier A-$60 per day | Tier B-$48 per day | Tier C-$36 per day

REGISTER HERE
Learn more about our Summer 2020 Children and Family Programs.

Birdwatching for Beginners (ages 6 and up)
2020-07-21 09:30 - 11:00
What feathered friends are around us? Using binoculars for adults and older kids, and eye focusers for younger ones, we’ll use our senses of sight and hearing to find and identify birds. Katie will teach you the basics of bird identification using field marks and songs.
Tuesdays, 9:30am–11:00am on June 30, July 7, 14, 21
Fee per Child: Tier A-$20 per day | Tier B-$16 per day | Tier C-$12 per day
Fee per Adult: Tier A-$25 per day | Tier B-$20 per day | Tier C-$15 per day
REGISTER HERE
Learn more about our Summer 2020 Children and Family Programs.

Nature Explorer Family Field Trip: Habitat (all ages)
2020-07-20 10:00 - 12:00, 2020-07-16 10:30 - 12:30
Every living thing needs a home or a habitat to survive. The Hitchcock Center has a variety of local habitats on site to experience first-hand. Just as each neighborhood has its own needs and inhabitants, each habitat has its own animals, plants, and interactions. Our trip will take us through forest, field and wetland where we will focus on the components of each habitat and the adaptations of the animals and plants that live there.
Join one of our talented Hitchcock Center educators and choose among many fun-filled and hands-on field trips designed for the whole family. Each field trip is two hours in length. Consider extending the trip by packing a picnic lunch and staying after the program ends! Adults without children are welcome too!!
Habitat (all ages)
Thursdays, 10:30am-12:30pm, July 2, 16
Monday, 10am-12noon, July 20
Wednesday, 10am-12noon, August 5
Fee per Child: Tier A-$28 per trip | Tier B-$22 per trip | Tier C-$17 per trip
Fee per Adult: Tier A-$33 per trip | Tier B-$26 per trip | Tier C-$20 per trip
(limit up to two adults and three children per family)
REGISTERHERE

Learn more about our Summer 2020 Children and Family Programs.

Nature Explorer Family Field Trip: Bountiful Butterflies (ages 3 and up)
2020-07-16 14:00 - 16:00, 2020-07-09 14:00 - 16:00
Go on a butterfly walk with Jennifer to discover the fluttering friends among us. We will start with some basic tools and background about butterflies and then head to a flowering field with edges that should have a good variety of colorful butterflies.
Join one of our talented Hitchcock Center educators and choose among many fun-filled and hands-on field trips designed for the whole family (age levels for children vary as indicated below). Each field trip is two hours in length. Consider extending the trip by packing a picnic lunch and staying after the program ends! Adults without children are welcome too!!
Thursdays, 2–4pm on July 9, 16, 23, 30
Fee per Child: Tier A-$28 per trip | Tier B-$22 per trip | Tier C-$17 per trip
Fee per Adult: Tier A-$33 per trip | Tier B-$26 per trip | Tier C-$20 per trip
(limit up to two adults and three children per family)

REGISTER HERE
Learn more about our Summer 2020 Children and Family Programs.

Game Day Getaway (ages 8–12)
2020-07-16 10:00 - 12:00
Games are a great way to embrace summer fun. In this two-hour all outdoors program, children can be a part of a small group and enjoy the company of other kids playing classic camp games in safety. We’ll spend our time playing verbal games maintaining social distance, and physical games, which can be played in parallel with other kids. Physical games will include classics like Charades, animal style relay races, and Motion Telephone. Verbal games will include Werewolf, Mind Meld, and Contact. While this program will be offered multiple times, each one will consist of games that encourage social distancing, therefore in each session some games may repeat from day to day. Days with inclement weather will need to be rescheduled.
with Aemelia Thompson, Hitchcock Educator
Thursdays, 10–12noon, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Fee Per Child: Tier A-$30 per day | Tier B-$24 per day | Tier C-$18 per day

REGISTER HERE
Learn more about our Summer 2020 Children and Family Programs.

Hike and Stream Catch (ages 8–12)
2020-07-14 10:00 - 14:00
Come join an all-outdoor group experience where we’ll hike, explore the woods, catch creatures in a stream, and play games. From the Hitchcock Center, we will hike to the Hampshire woods. Once there, we will spread out along the banks of a stream, each with our own net and basin, to cool our feet in the water and see what creatures we can find. We’ll then make our way to a nearby open field for a socially distant lunch and end with storytelling games. During this four hour program, children will be required to wear masks while hiking and in the stream. We will all sanitize before eating lunch. Social distance will be maintained during the stream catch and games. Days with inclement weather will need to be rescheduled.
with Aemelia Thompson, Hitchcock Educator
Tuesdays, 10am–2pm
June 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28
Fee Per Child: Tier A-$60 per day | Tier B-$48 per day | Tier C-$36 per day

REGISTER HERE
Learn more about our Summer 2020 Children and Family Programs.

Birdwatching for Beginners (ages 6 and up)
2020-07-14 09:30 - 11:00
What feathered friends are around us? Using binoculars for adults and older kids, and eye focusers for younger ones, we’ll use our senses of sight and hearing to find and identify birds. Katie will teach you the basics of bird identification using field marks and songs.
Tuesdays, 9:30am–11:00am on June 30, July 7, 14
Fee per Child: Tier A-$20 per day | Tier B-$16 per day | Tier C-$12 per day
Fee per Adult: Tier A-$25 per day | Tier B-$20 per day | Tier C-$15 per day
REGISTER HERE
Learn more about our Summer 2020 Children and Family Programs.

Virtual Saturday Family Science Series: Predator and Prey (ages 5-8)
2020-07-11 10:00 - 10:40
Predator and Prey
Saturday July 11, 10-10:40am
Trying to survive out in the wild can be a tough job for any animal, whether you’re a fox looking for a mouse to snack on, or the mouse hiding from the fox! Predatory animals have to hunt other animals for their food and their prey must be smart to avoid them. Both have their place in the ecosystem. Come learn more about the importance of predator and prey at this Saturday Family Science program. Learn more about this series.
Recommended for ages 5-8
Suggested donation: $5 per child
Maximum group size: 16 children
Registration opens July 7

Rivers to Range: Exploring the Pioneer: a 5-Day Institute for Grades 4-8 Educators
2020-07-10 08:30 - 16:00, 2020-07-09 08:30 - 16:00, 2020-07-08 08:30 - 16:00, 2020-07-07 08:30 - 16:00, 2020-07-06 08:30 - 16:00
For thousands of years, the Connecticut River has flowed through Pioneer Valley, shaping the land and life around it. Known for its basalt flows, mountain ranges, dinosaur footprints, and fertile soils, the Pioneer Valley exhibits a rich history of geologic change. Join us to explore opportunities for integrating science and math as you learn about the geologic history of the Pioneer Valley. Visit local field sites, delve into museum collections, and immerse yourself in inquiry-based, standards-driven investigations as you learn about how the modern landscape provides clues to a very different past.
Partners & Collaborators:
Hitchcock Center for the Environment; Beneski Museum of Natural History; Springfield Science Museum; The Trustees of Reservations
July 6-10, 2020 (8:30am – 4:00pm)
Cost:
$450/participant.
$400/participant if attending with one other teacher from your school or district.
$375/participant if attending with 2 or more other teachers from your school or district.
PDPs and Optional Graduate Credit:
40 PDPs are available without graduate credit.
67.5 PDPs and 3 graduate science credits are available from Cambridge College for $225.
67.5 PDPs and 3 graduate credits are available from Framingham State University for $225.
REGISTER HERE

Nature Discovery Family Adventures: Colors in Nature (ages 3–5)
2020-07-08 10:00 - 11:30

Birdwatching for Beginners (ages 6 and up)
2020-07-07 09:30 - 11:00, 2020-06-30 09:30 - 11:00
What feathered friends are around us? Using binoculars for adults and older kids, and eye focusers for younger ones, we’ll use our senses of sight and hearing to find and identify birds. Katie will teach you the basics of bird identification using field marks and songs.
Tuesdays, 9:30am–11:00am on June 30, July 7
Fee per Child: Tier A-$20 per day | Tier B-$16 per day | Tier C-$12 per day
Fee per Adult: Tier A-$25 per day | Tier B-$20 per day | Tier C-$15 per day
REGISTER HERE
Learn more about our Summer 2020 Children and Family Programs.

Nature Explorer Family Field Trip: Habitat (all ages)
2020-07-02 10:30 - 12:30
Every living thing needs a home or a habitat to survive. The Hitchcock Center has a variety of local habitats on site to experience first-hand. Just as each neighborhood has its own needs and inhabitants, each habitat has its own animals, plants, and interactions. Our trip will take us through forest, field and wetland where we will focus on the components of each habitat and the adaptations of the animals and plants that live there.
Join one of our talented Hitchcock Center educators and choose among many fun-filled and hands-on field trips designed for the whole family. Each field trip is two hours in length. Consider extending the trip by packing a picnic lunch and staying after the program ends! Adults without children are welcome too!!
Habitat (all ages)
Thursdays, 10:30am-12:30pm, July 2, 16
Monday, 10am-12noon, July 20
Wednesday, 10am-12noon, Aug. 5
Fee per Child: Tier A-$28 per trip | Tier B-$22 per trip | Tier C-$17 per trip
Fee per Adult: Tier A-$33 per trip | Tier B-$26 per trip | Tier C-$20 per trip
(limit up to two adults and three children per family)
REGISTERHERE

Learn more about our Summer 2020 Children and Family Programs.
