Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Nature Play Afterschool: Spring
2025-06-04 15:30 - 17:30, 2025-06-11 15:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York)
With Jeff Mazur
Grades 2-4
Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
March 26 – June 11 (no program April 23)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$332 | Tier B-$288 | Tier C-$245
Limited to 12 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 Afterschool 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.

Junior Nature Play Afterschool: Spring
2025-06-05 15:30 - 17:30, 2025-06-12 15:30 - 17:30
With: Lauren Dausch
Grades K-2
Thursdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
March 27 – June 12 (no program April 24)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$328 | Tier B-$285 | Tier C-$242
Limited to 12 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. In spring Junior Nature Play Afterschool 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.

Nature Discovery Series for ages 3-5 (AM)
2025-06-06 09:30 - 11:30
Nature Discovery Series for ages 3-5 (AM)
Nature Did It First! (How nature inspires creative design)
With Chrissy Larson
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
Fridays, March 28-June 6 (no class April 25)
Morning session: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (please note earlier start time for Spring)
Afternoon session: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Fee per child/adult pair: Tier A-$399 | Tier B-$347 | Tier C-$295
Limited to 12 families. Limit of 2 children per adult.
Please note: This ten-week series spends time outdoors each class unless there is extreme weather.
Did you know that hitchhiking burdock seeds inspired velcro? Or that snakeskin inspired safer shoes with better grip? Noticing how things are done in nature and using those ideas to solve human problems is called biomimicry. You might be surprised by the many ways that nature’s own problem solving inspires us to have new ideas and invent new things. Join us this spring to explore the world around us, learning about actual examples of biomimicry and investigating nature to find a new example each class. Lessons include stories, songs, hands-on activities, outdoor adventures, and play.

Nature Discovery for ages 3-5 (PM)
2025-06-06 13:00 - 15:00
Nature Discovery for 3-5 year olds (Adult/Child)
Nature Did It First! (How nature inspires creative design)
With Chrissy Larson
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
Fridays, March 28-June 6 (no class April 25)
Morning session: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (please note earlier start time for Spring)
Afternoon session: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Fee per child/adult pair: Tier A-$399 | Tier B-$347 | Tier C-$295
Limited to 12 families. Limit of 2 children per adult.
Please note: This ten-week series spends time outdoors each class unless there is extreme weather. ​​
Did you know that hitchhiking burdock seeds inspired velcro? Or that snakeskin inspired safer shoes with better grip? Noticing how things are done in nature and using those ideas to solve human problems is called biomimicry. You might be surprised by the many ways that nature’s own problem solving inspires us to have new ideas and invent new things. Join us this spring to explore the world around us, learning about actual examples of biomimicry and investigating nature to find a new example each class. Lessons include stories, songs, hands-on activities, outdoor adventures, and play.

Little Bear Nature Walk
2025-06-09 10:00 - 11:15, 2025-06-13 10:00 - 11:15
Come along on a Little Bear Nature Walk! Little Bear Nature Walks are a way for toddlers, preschoolers and their caregivers to explore nature in an age-appropriate way. Click here to find today’s theme, location, and to register!

Wild Children of the Woods: Spring
2025-06-09 15:30 - 17:30
With: Monya Relles
Grades 3-5
Mondays 3:30-5:30 p.m.
March 24 – June 9 (no program April 21 and May 26)
Tier A:$299 | Tier B:$261 | Tier C:$222
Limited to 12 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.

Girls into the Wild: Spring
2025-06-10 15:30 - 17:30
with: Katie Koerten
Grades 4-6
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
March 25 – June 10 (no program April 22)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$328 | Tier B-$285 | Tier C-$242
Limited to 12 participants
Girls into the Wild continues into 2025 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 Play Afterschool: Spring
2025-06-10 15:30 - 17:30
With Jeff Mazur
Grades 2-4
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
March 25 – June 10 (no program April 22)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$328 | Tier B-$285 | Tier C-$242
Limited to 12 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 Afterschool 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.

Junior Nature Play Afterschool: Spring
2025-06-11 15:30 - 17:30
With: Lauren Dausch
Grades K-2
Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
March 26 – June 11 (no program April 23)
Fee per Child: Tier A-$332 | Tier B-$288 | Tier C-$245
Limited to 12 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.

Firefly Ecology Fireside Program
2025-06-12 20:30 - 21:30
with John Green
Thursday, June 12, 8:30pm
Sliding Scale $10, $20, $30

Do you love the ephemeral season of fireflies? Or maybe you call them lightning bugs, either way come and learn about and enjoy some guided firefly watching. We will have a fire going and snacks so we can talk about fireflies in Hitchcock gardens before we head to fields to revel in them together, a truly magical group experience.

Little Bear Nature Walks
2025-06-13 10:00 - 11:15, 2025-06-17 10:00 - 11:15, 2025-06-20 10:00 - 11:15, 2025-06-25 10:00 - 11:15, 2025-06-28 10:00 - 11:15, 2025-07-01 10:00 - 11:15

Battle of the Botanicals
2025-06-18 18:00 - 21:00
We will be inviting some of our region’s top bartender/chef teams to profile their talents and help us raise funds for the Hitchcock Center for the Environment’s environmental justice programs. This event is 21+.
Held on Wednesday, June 18 from 6 – 9 p.m. this ticketed fundraiser is expected to draw 300+ people. Each restaurant team will present a tasting station with an appetizer and cocktail sample that highlight a signature botanical feature. The three top-voted bartenders will then take the stage for a live cocktail mix-off!
A panel of local celebrity judges will name the winner!
Get Tickets

Spring Birding Course: Maine Trip
2025-06-20 - 2025-06-22
(February – June 2025) An optional add-on to the Hitchcock Center’s annual Spring Birding course! The class focuses on identification and migration of New England birds. Click here to get information about each session.

Chickadee Camp
2025-06-30 08:45 - 13:00, 2025-07-01 08:45 - 13:00, 2025-07-02 08:45 - 13:00, 2025-07-03 08:45 - 13:00, 2025-07-07 08:45 - 13:00
Entering Kindergarten*
Mondays – Fridays, 8:45 am – 1 pm
Session 1: June 30 – July 3rd (one week) (no camp on July 4th)
Session 2: July 7 – July 18 (two weeks)
Session 3: July 21 – July 25 (one week)
Session 4: July 28 – August 8 (two weeks)
Session 5: August 11 – August 15 (one week)
The Chickadee program is a safe, nurturing first outdoor day camp experience for young ones. Attentive and loving counselors facilitate safe and curious exploration of the Discovery Yard and Hitchcock trails while sharing enthusiasm and joyful nature connection.

Nature Summer Camp: Animal Superheroes
2025-06-30 08:45 - 15:00, 2025-07-01 08:45 - 15:00, 2025-07-02 08:45 - 15:00, 2025-07-03 08:45 - 15:00
June 30 – July 3rd (one week) (no camp on July 4th)
8:45 am – 3 pm
Fees for Session 1: Tier A $415; Tier B $360; Tier C $325
This session we’re exploring the superpowers of the natural world! We’ll investigate animals’ tricks for hiding from predators and finding food, and learn about awesome adaptations their bodies have to help them leap, fly and swim. Through outdoor activities, games, observation, nature hikes, and art projects, we will encounter ordinary superheroes with extraordinary adaptations.
