WAYNESBORO – Buttonwood Nature Center, home of The Institute, is offering a new winter EXPLORE! program timed for after school. Designed for children in grades K to 5, the programs will run on six Tuesdays: Jan. 14, 21, 28 and Feb. 4, 11, 18, from 4–5 p.m. at Pine Hill Recreation Area. Participants may register for any or all of the sessions.
All program activities are outside. Taught by Buttonwood educators, each program includes educational activities related to the season.
The six programs are:
Jan. 14: The Five Frozen Senses
Children will practice using their senses to observe nature in winter. They’ll go on a scavenger hunt hike, make their own winter wind chimes and observe all the life that is still in the forest during winter while they learn about the natural world.
Jan. 21: Everything Evergreen!
Children will discover why evergreen trees are wonderful. They keep their leaves all year round and provide much-needed winter habitat. Students learn all about these special trees with a hike, an evergreen needle art project and a fun game.
Jan. 28: Whooo Gives a Hoot?
Students discover the amazing life of owls. They’ll learn to use binoculars and will go on a hike to look for owls in the forest. Children will create an owl craft to take home.
Feb. 4: The Science of Snow
Students learn all about winter precipitation. They’ll play games to learn about the water cycle, try to freeze bubbles in the cold winter air and learn about how animals actually use snow to keep WARM!
Feb. 11: Clever Camouflage
Some animals use camouflage to hide in plain sight, from birds to mammals. Students learn about winter camouflage while playing games and making crafts.
Feb. 18: The Basics of Black Bears
Black bears are known to be great sleepers, but there’s so much more to know about them. Students will learn about black bears and how they hibernate. They’ll go on a short hike, play a game and get to see and feel a real bear pelt.
Pre-registration and payment in advance is required. Register for any or all of the individual sessions. The fee is $6 for Buttonwood Nature Center/Institute members and $7 for the general public, per child, per program. Limit: 15 children per program.
Students may register online at: www.buttonwoodnaturecenter.org. For more information, readers may email Buttonwood at jessica@buttonwoodnaturecenter.org or call 717-762-0373.
EXPLORE! programs are sponsored by The Anderson Family Fund, in memory of Vida Mae Anderson, and Buttonwood’s Today’s Horizon Fund Contributors: The Nora Roberts Foundation; Marge Kiersz; APX Enclosures; Don Gibe and Nancy Erlanson; and the family of the late Carolyn Terry Eddy, with daughters Connie Fleagle and Kim Larkin. Facility support is courtesy of Washington Township.
