Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Girls into the Wild
2019-05-16 15:30 - 17:30, 2019-05-09 15:30 - 17:30, 2019-05-02 15:30 - 17:30, 2019-04-25 15:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Sometimes you just need to run, explore and play! That’s what we do at Girls into the Wild, and lots more. Girls into the Wild is designed to get girls outside, playing and engaging with nature in their own way. Instructor Katie Koerten strives to offer games and activities that each girl can participate in at her own comfort level, from climbing trees, to playing camouflage in the forest, to running and whooping wildly through fields. Even in winter we’ll spend the entirety of the afternoon outside so bring your warmest layers and come have some snowy fun! Families provide their own transportation to the Hitchcock Center.
Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm
March 28 – June 13 (no program April 18)
With Katie Koerten
Ages 8-11, Grades 3-5
Members: $300/Non-members: $330
Limited to 10 participants.

Nature Play Afterschool
2019-05-15 15:30 - 17:30, 2019-05-08 13:30 - 17:30, 2019-05-01 15:30 - 17:30, 2019-04-24 15:30 - 17:30
Just because it’s cold outside, doesn’t mean your kids need to stay inside to play. Have them join Hitchcock’s Nature Play Afterschool Program, which is designed to let kids be kids. Together we will run, jump, climb, invent, imagine, play and be a free-range kids all while developing self-confidence and learning valuable social skills. During Winter Nature Play, we make snow forts, sled, find animal tracks, play games in the dark and use our imagination as we explore the wooded trails and fields. Instructor Aemelia Thompson (Monday’s) and Jeff Mazur (Wednesdays) provides a safe structure for children to explore nature and encourages children to stretch their limits as they balance on logs, hold salamanders, or co-create new games with their peers.
Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30pm, Extended Days, 1:30pm-5:30pm
March 27 – June 12, 2019 (no class April 17), Extended Days: March 27, April 10, May 8
with Jeff Mazur
Ages 6-9, Grades 1-3
Members: $290/Non-members: $350
Limited to 10 participants.

Our Living Building Tour
2019-05-15 12:00 - 13:00
Come meet our newest educator – our building! It is designed to model systems in nature, it is net zero energy, net zero water, has composting toilets, and has been made with responsibly sourced non-toxic materials, come check it out at one of our bi-monthly tours. Tours typically last from 1-1.5 hours.
Note: We are pleased to be able to offer Spanish language translators for our building tours. If you or someone you know could benefit from translation, please let us know in advance, so that we may schedule a translator for your tour date.
First Fridays at 4pm: January 4, February 1, March 1, April 5, June 7 (no tour May 3)
Third Wednesdays at 12pm: January 16, February 20, March 20, April 17, May 15, June 19
FREE but please register online

Homeschool II: Spring into Citizen Science
2019-05-14 10:00 - 14:00, 2019-04-30 10:00 - 14:00, 2019-04-23 10:00 - 14:00
Spring is an amazing time of year! As the natural world begins to wake up from winter there are lots of changes happening. As part of Spring into Citizen Science – we will become researchers. Working with scientists on local and national science projects, collecting data that matters! For this homeschool series we will dive into different science projects and asking lots of questions, such as: What do spotted salamanders do in spring? Who are our local migrating fish, and why do they migrate? When do flowers bloom and buds burst? And more! Kids can offer a new way of looking at an issue, so bring your scientific mind, observation skills and unique perspective to our class. Through observation, special guests, field trips, and surveys, we will study the world around us and contribute to science while also having fun, exploring and playing games.
With Jeff Mazur
Tuesdays, 10:00am-2:00pm
March 12 – June 4 (No program April 2, 16, May 7)
Members: $450/Non-members: $560

Homeschool I: Animals That Build
2019-05-14 10:00 - 14:00, 2019-04-30 10:00 - 14:00, 2019-04-23 10:00 - 14:00
They don’t use blueprints or fancy tools, but animals can be amazing builders by using natural materials like leaves, sticks and even spit! Whether it’s for nests, homes, camouflage or catching prey, animals have a lot of reasons for their architecture. At this homeschool session we will explore the construction skills of animals and build creations of our own. While we study animals, we will also think about human architecture: we will learn about the features of Hitchcock Center’s “Living Building” and the choices we made to make our building kind to the planet. Hikes, home projects, games and field trips are all part of the fun!
With Katie Koerten
Tuesdays, 10am – 2pm
March 12 – June 4 (No program April 2, 16, May 7)
Members: $450/Non-members: $560
Limited to 15 participants per age group.

Nature Play Afterschool
2019-05-13 15:30 - 17:30, 2019-05-06 15:30 - 17:30, 2019-04-29 15:30 - 17:30
Just because it’s cold outside, doesn’t mean your kids need to stay inside to play. Have them join Hitchcock’s Nature Play Afterschool Program, which is designed to let kids be kids. Together we will run, jump, climb, invent, imagine, play and be a free-range kids all while developing self-confidence and learning valuable social skills. During Winter Nature Play, we make snow forts, sled, find animal tracks, play games in the dark and use our imagination as we explore the wooded trails and fields. Instructor Aemelia Thompson (Monday’s) and Jeff Mazur (Wednesdays) provides a safe structure for children to explore nature and encourages children to stretch their limits as they balance on logs, hold salamanders, or co-create new games with their peers.
with Aemelia Thompson
Mondays, 3:30-5:30pm
March 25 – June 12, 2019 (no class April 15 or May 27)
Age 6-9, Grades 1-3
Members: $225/Non-members $270
Limited to 10 participants.

Saturday Family Science: Ladybugs, Ladybugs, Ladybugs!
2019-05-11 10:00 - 11:00
Join us for seasonal nature and science programs each second Saturday of the month. Designed for children with their parents, these programs will explore cool topics in nature.
May 11: Ladybugs, Ladybugs, Ladybugs!
After waking up from their winter sleep Ladybugs are very hungry! Learn what ladybugs want for lunch and what they do in spring.
Second Saturdays, 10-11am
Free
Registration appreciated. Groups of 6 or more please call ahead.
Saturday Family Science Programs are generously sponsored by Pelham Auto Service and through a grant from the Peter & Elizabeth Tower Foundation.

Nature Discovery Preschool: PreHistoric Preschool
2019-05-10 13:00 - 15:00, 2019-05-10 09:30 - 11:30, 2019-05-03 13:00 - 15:00, 2019-05-03 09:30 - 11:30, 2019-04-26 09:30 - 11:30
This season we will travel back in time to the days of the dinosaurs. Children will learn about dinosaurs through stories, songs, movement and crafts. We will compare different dinosaurs, dig for bones, and learn about the plants they munched on. Come have a dinomite time!
With Colleen Kelley
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
Fridays, Morning session: 9:30-11:30am, Afternoon session: 1-3pm
March 22, 29 April 5,12,26, May 3,10,17,24,31 (no class April 19)
Members: $220/Non-members: $255
Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee. Limited to 12 families per session.

Homeschool Discovery Day: Mountains & Valleys
2019-05-07 10:00 - 14:00
Do you love science and nature? Do you want to see what the Hitchcock Homeschool program is all about? Sign up for our Discovery Days, our one-time programs about science and nature. In a mixed-age setting, we explore cool topics at the Hitchcock Center, meet science experts, and sometimes go on field trips. Our Discovery Day programs are appropriate for everyone from first time to veteran homeschoolers, and we welcome almost-6 year olds who are interested in joining our class in the spring. This is designed as a drop-off program. Limited to 12 participants per program.
May 7: Mountains and Valleys with Katie Koerten
Travel to Skinner State Park to explore some of the most fascinating geology in the world on Mount Holyoke! We’ll go back in time as we imagine the geologic events that took place millions of years ago right under our feet, and see the proof in the rocks. This field trip involves a hike that is strenuous at times.
Tuesdays 10am-2pm
January 15, 29, February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 11
Members: $45 per program/Non-members: $55 per program
Ages 6-12

Living Building Tour
2019-05-03 16:00 - 17:00
Did you know the Hitchcock Center is a Living Building? It is designed to model systems in nature, it’s net zero energy and water, has composting toilets, and has been made with responsibly sourced non-toxic materials. Come find out what makes our building a special teaching tool empowering visitors to ask, “what does sustainability look like in the built environment and in my community?” Bring your questions so we can learn together. Tours typically last from 1-1.5 hours.
First Fridays at 4pm: May 3, June 7
Third Wednesdays at 12pm: May 15, June 19
FREE but please register online
While you’re here, check out our neighbors over at the R.W. Kern Center at Hampshire College, another Living Building Challenge project.

Repair Public
2019-04-28 12:00 - 15:30
Learn how and/or where to fix broken items instead of tossing them into a landfill and buying replacements. The participants and facilitators are local community members just like you. You bring a broken item that you want help repairing as well as a willingness to try to fix it. There will be repair facilitators on-hand to help you figure out how to fix your treasure, each with one or more areas of specialty. We’ll have various tools available for use, as well as some basic supplies like screws, tape, glue, wire nuts, needles, threads, and probably appliance cord with some plug-ends. With all these ingredients, we intend to help you repair whatever you decide to bring in. Learn more…
Sunday, April 28, 12 – 3:30pm
Donations and registration appreciated.

Discovery Yard Garden Volunteer Work Days
2019-04-27 12:00 - 15:00
This spring we are creating our Discovery Yard and Teaching Gardens and we need your help.
The Colleen Kelley Discovery Yard will include natural play structures, log balance beams, a play thicket, a StoryWalk path, and benches and picnic tables for visitors and families to gather. Situated across from the main entrance to our Visitor Center, and adjacent to additional planned teaching gardens and pavilion, The Colleen Kelley Discovery Yard will play a central role in fulfilling the Hitchcock Center’s vision to create a truly world-class environmental education center. Learn more…
Sunday, April 14, 12-3pm
Saturday, April 27, 12-3pm
Registration appreciated.

Nature Discovery Preschool: PreHistoric Preschool
2019-04-26 13:00 - 15:00
This season we will travel back in time to the days of the dinosaurs. Children will learn about dinosaurs through stories, songs, movement and crafts. We will compare different dinosaurs, dig for bones, and learn about the plants they munched on. Come have a dinomite time!
With Colleen Kelley
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
Fridays, Morning session: 9:30a-11:30am, Afternoon session: 1-3pm
March 22, 29 April 5,12,26, May 3,10,17,24,31 (no class April 19)
Members: $220/Non-members: $255
Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee. Limited to 12 families per session.

The Arctic on Fire: The Impacts of Climate Change on Tundra Ecosystems
2019-04-25 18:30 - 20:00
Natalie Baillargeon Photo Chris Linder
Due to climate change, the Arctic is experiencing an increase in wildfires. It is known that wildfires are going to alter the ecosystems; however, the specific biogeochemical impacts are unknown. Natalie Baillargeon and Rhys MacArthur participated in an expedition to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, AK last summer and begun a collaborative project investigating the impacts that wildfires have on plant composition and nutrient cycling. They are now joining us at the Hitchcock Center to share their experience and findings.
Rhys MacArthur Photo Chris Linder
Natalie Baillargeon is a second-year at Hampshire, studying environmental science and policy. Natalie’s research is investigating the impacts of wildfires on plant nutrient and nitrogen cycling in the Arctic.
Rhys MacArthur is currently in her last year at Hampshire College studying Ecology and Environmental Justice. Rhys’s research is focused around the effects wildfires have on the above-ground biomass of arctic tundra ecosystems and the ecological processes that drive vegetation composition.
with Natalie Baillargeon and Rhys MacArthur
Thursday, April 25, 6:30- 8pm
FREE, Registration encouraged
