Pre-Elementary: Ages 3–5 or Grade Pre-K (In-person)
Registration for Winter Programs opens on Tuesday, December 1, 2020.
We continue to find flexible and adaptive new ways to meet the needs of children and families during this pandemic. Our emphasis is on providing inquiry-based environmental and outdoor education programs for small groups, typically made up of no more than 10–12 individuals. Our programs, as always, are focused on learning from nature, but we are placing a heightened focus on meeting the need children have for unstructured time with their peers. It is essential to children’s social-emotional development and general sense of well-being to be able to play and be free outside with each other!
Programs may also be viewed in a calendar.
Winter Nature Discovery Preschool Adventures
Ages 3–5 or Grades Pre-K
Limited to 12 participants (limit of 2 children per adult).
with Colleen Kelley
Fridays, 10:00–11:30am OR 1:00–2:30pm
January 15, 29, March 19
OR
with Helen Ann Sephton
Fridays, 10:00–11:30am OR 1:00–2:30pm
February 12, 26, March 12, 19
Fee per Child: Tier A-$17 per day | Tier B-$13 per day | Tier C-$9 per day | Tier D- $7
Fee per Adult: Tier A-$21 per day | Tier B-$17 per day | Tier C-$13 per day | Tier D- $9
Come explore the wonders of winter! This award-winning adult and child preschool program offers weekly outdoor exploration together combined with multi-modal learning experiences to foster wonder and curiosity about the natural world. Each program includes movement, song, nature exploration, snacktime, and a story. Sign up for one or more days and choose from one of two time offerings, Friday mornings or afternoons. An adult caregiver must attend with child(ren).
January 15: Winter Wonderland
January 29: Stick Stories
February 12: Snow Surprises
February 26: Plant Pleasures
March 12: Wild About Wind
March 19: Water Wonders
COVID-19 Safety
Read our complete COVID-19 Program Participant Guidelines.
Our in-person programs will be held outdoors, even in the cold weather months. Outdoor learning environments have been shown to be one of the safest ways to teach while preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Masks will be required at all times when social distancing (six feet apart) is not able to be maintained. This will continue until our local and state health officials say otherwise.
As much as our teaching approach is “hands-on,” we will be limiting touching and sharing. If any equipment or materials are needed as part of the program, we will provide participants with their own. All equipment and materials will be returned and individually disinfected at the end of the program.
Participants need to come prepared for all outdoor weather conditions. We suggest bringing a backpack with extra layers, including socks and hats, bottled water, and snacks, as well as insect repellent and sunscreen as-needed.
Fees
Given this time of financial hardship for our community and our organization, we are offering a new sliding scale fee structure aimed to provide greater flexibility in choosing a price that is right for you and your family.
- Tier A: The fee is set 25% higher than what it costs to run the program and helps to support those who cannot afford the full cost of the program.
- Tier B: The fee is set to cover 100% of the program costs.
- Tier C: The fee is set at 25% less than what it costs to run the program.
- Tier D: This fee is set at 50% less than what it costs to run the program. This option is available for EBT, WIC, and Connector Care Card to Culture participants, that is, households receiving benefits through the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance and the Massachusetts Health Connector
