Registration is required for all programs.
Please register online or by calling (203) 938-2117.
ALL NEW SUMMER PROGRAMS
Programs for 4-5 Year Olds and a Parent
Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30 – 11 a.m.
(Note: each class for this age group is limited to 4 parents and 4 children)
Week #1: Wildlife Week
($30 per member child, $40 per non-member child)
This program is now FULL, but we are taking names for a waiting list.
Tuesday July 7- Wetland Wildlife
Tadpoles, dragonflies, diving beetles, and frogs are just some of the fantastic creatures waiting to be discovered! Wear your water shoes, bring your bright eyes, and get ready for fun in our wetlands.
Thursday July 9- Birds of a Feather
What makes a bird a bird? Using an assortment of mounted specimens, you will be amazed at the wonders of birds like owls, geese, and woodpeckers. Then we will be off to the coop to meet our chickens, hold a warm egg, and learn some fun facts about these feathered friends. Make a simple feeder to take home for your backyard birds.
Week #2: Farm Week
($30 per member child, $40 per non-member child)
This program is now FULL, but we are taking names for a waiting list.
Tuesday July 14- Barnyard Beauties
Spend the morning with our cows and sheep! Learn about udders, eyelashes, hooves, and tails. Come into the dairy barn, brush one of our girls, find out what she eats, and where she sleeps. Then it’s off to the pasture to visit with members of our Romney flock, learn how their fleece keeps them dry in the rain and how it is turned into yarn, and then make a fleecy craft to take home.
Thursday July 16- Honey Bees and Other Pollinators
Explore what the BUZZZZ is all about! Learn about our amazing honey bees, look into our observation hive and discover worker bees, drones, and maybe even the queen! Then head out into our meadow to search for many types of beautiful pollinators and discover the important role each of these insects plays in nature.
Week #3: In Celebration of Eastern Woodland Indians
($30 per member child, $40 per non-member child)
This program is now FULL, but we are taking names for a waiting list.
Tuesday July 21- Living off the Land Part I: Family life, Homes, and Games
Come to our longhouse and hear stories about the family life of our area’s original residents. Where did they live, how did they make it through the seasons, what were some of the children’s activities? Indian legends tell us that in addition to hard work, children loved to play games. You will play some of these traditional games of chance and skill and create a game to take home.
Thursday July 23- Living off the Land Part II: Hunting, Fishing, Gathering, and Gardening
Learn about the important roles woodland Indian boys and girls played in keeping their families healthy. Discover (and try) some favorite Native American foods, learn about gardening and the Three Sisters, and storing food for the winter. Make pinch pots out of clay, just the way children did hundreds of years ago.
Week #4: Habitat Week
($30 per member child, $40 per non-member child)
This program is now FULL, but we are taking names for a waiting list.
Tuesday July 28- Habitat Hunt
Calling all Nature Detectives! Let’s explore our woodlands, meadow, and stream. By gently rolling over logs and rocks, and using sweep nets, you will be surprised at how many quiet creatures live right beneath your feet! Let’s put our heads together to consider how animals choose their homes.
Thursday July 30- Nature Scavenger Hunt
Follow our clues, discover exciting natural treasures that are hidden around our pasture and woodlands, and learn more about wildlife along the way! Fun prizes for EVERYONE!
Programs for 6-8 Year Olds
Mondays and Wednesdays 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
(Note: each program in this group is limited to 6 participants)
Week #1: Wildlife Week
($40 per member, $50 per non-member)
This program is now FULL, but we are taking names for a waiting list.
Monday July 6- Wetlands Explorations
What’s the difference between a pond, a marsh, and a stream? Figure out the benefits and challenges of each habitat, and discover why animals like tadpoles, dragonflies, diving beetles, and frogs are so selective about where they live. Wear your water shoes, bring your bright eyes, and get ready for fun in our wetlands.
Wednesday July 8- Wildlife CSI
Our Program Closet is a treasure chest of bones!! Examine skulls and skeletons to determine whether it’s a raccoon, a fox, a coyote, a bear- you will have to follow the clues! You will discover what teeth, beaks, skulls, skeletons, and footprints can tell us about our wild neighbors.
Week #2: Farm Week
($40 per member, $50 per non-member)
This program is now FULL, but we are taking names for a wait list.
Monday July 13- Chickens, Cows, and Sheep, Oh My!
Spend your morning on one of the last working farms in Fairfield County. Discover why our local farms are so important as you visit our chicken coop, barn, Dairy Annex, and pasture. Meet some of our chickens, dairy cows, and members of our Romney flock.
Wednesday July 15- Beekeeping and Planting for Pollinators
Spend time exploring our observation hive and discover the amazingly complex society that lives there. Discuss food sources and the impact of pesticides and weather on the hive. Then stroll through our beautiful pollinator meadow, searching for butterflies, wild bees, and other pollinators. Learn why we are so pleased to be a part of Redding’s Pollinator Pathway and what you and your family can do to help.
Week #3: In Celebration of Eastern Woodland Indians
($40 per member, $50 per non-member)
This program is now FULL, but we are taking names for a wait list.
Monday July 20- Native Americans: Outdoor Survival
How did they do it: no stores, no cars, no internet? Join us in our longhouse and learn how Native Americans found everything they needed by living off the land- food, medicine, clothing, and materials for their homes. Build your own survival shelter, learn how to use a pump drill, and more.
Wednesday July 22- Native Americans: Hunting, Gathering, and Gardening
Learn about the important roles woodland Indian boys and girls played in keeping their families healthy. Discover (and try) some favorite Native American foods, learn about gardening and the Three Sisters, and storing food for the winter. Make pinch pots out of clay, just the way children did hundreds of years ago.
Week #4: Habitat Week
($40 per member, $50 per non-member)
This program is now FULL, but we are taking names for a waiting list.
Monday July 27- Scavenger Hunt
Create your own Naturalist’s Journal, hike on our trails finding hidden treasure along the way. After fine tuning your skills in observation you may discover signs our wild neighbors have left behind-evidence of flying squirrels, pileated woodpeckers- you never know! Your journal will be perfect for recording your discoveries.
Wednesday July 29- Habitat Hunt
Calling all Nature Detectives! Let’s explore our woodlands, meadow, and stream. By gently rolling over logs and rocks, and using sweep nets, you will be surprised at how many quiet creatures live right beneath your feet! Let’s put our heads together to consider how animals choose their homes.
Programs for 9-10 Year Olds
Mondays and Wednesdays 1 – 3 p.m.
(Note: each program in this group is limited to 6 participants)
Week #1: Wildlife Week
($40 per member, $50 per non-member)
This program is now FULL, but we are taking names for a wait list.
Monday July 6- Wetlands Explorations
What’s the difference between a pond, a marsh and a stream? Figure out the benefits and challenges of each habitat, and discover why animals like tadpoles, dragonflies, diving beetles, and frogs are so selective about where they live. Wear your water shoes, bring your bright eyes, and get ready for fun in our wetlands.
Wednesday July 8- Wildlife CSI
Our Program Closet is a treasure chest of bones!! Examine skulls and skeletons to determine whether it’s a raccoon, a fox, a coyote, a bear…you will have to follow the clues! You will discover what things like teeth, beaks, skulls, skeletons, and footprints can tell us about our wild neighbors.
Week #2: Farm Week
($40 per member, $50 per non-member)
This program is now FULL, but we are taking names for a waiting list.
Monday July 13- Chickens, Cows, and Sheep, Oh My!
Spend your afternoon on one of the last working farms in Fairfield County! Discover why local farms are so important as you visit our chicken coop, barn, Dairy Annex, and pasture. Meet some of our chickens, dairy cows, and members of our Romney flock.
Wednesday July 15- Pollinator Parade
Spend time exploring our observation hive and discover the amazingly complex society that lives there. Then we will walk around the property to view honey bees, butterflies, and beetles in action. Learn the importance of pollinators and about the Pollinator Pathway initiative within our state and town. We will discuss what you can do on your own property to help our pollinators.
Week #3: In Celebration of Eastern Woodland Indians
($40 per member, $50 per non-member)
This program is now FULL, but we are taking names for a wait list.
Monday July 20- Native Americans that Walked our Lands
Examine discoveries made in archeological digs that give us clues to the past – arrowheads, projectile points, hide scrapers, pottery shards, and more. Learn about Woodland Indian families and their strategies for constructing shelters, finding food, and making tools that allowed them to thrive in their surroundings.
Wednesday July 22- Native Americans: Outdoor Survival
How did they do it: No stores, no cars, no internet, no cell phones, no electricity? Join us at our longhouse and learn how the Woodland Indians found everything they needed by living off the land. They were like scientists, discovering medicinal plants, selecting seeds for their gardens, learning how to preserve their food, understanding the habits and importance of their wild neighbors. Learn some of their survival techniques and build a shelter, use a pump drill, make cordage, flake an arrow, and more.
Week #4: Summer Fun
($40 per member, $50 per non-member)
This program is now FULL, but we are taking names for a waiting list.
Monday July 27- Scavenger Hunt and Hike to Mt. Baldy
Create your own Naturalist’s Journal, hike up to the highest point on the property and following clues, find hidden treasure along the way. After fine tuning your skills in observation you will follow Baldy Ridge Trail searching for signs that our wild neighbors (flying squirrels, pileated woodpeckers, and wild turkeys to name a few) have left behind – you never know what you will find! Your journal will be perfect for recording your discoveries.
Wednesday July 29- Old-Fashioned Toys and Games
Make your own kite, paper airplane, whirligig, bullroarer, comet, and more! Let’s have some old-fashioned fun with these flying devices and field test them on the property.
There’s no need for a store when you can create your own toys!