Summer fun for kids is on tap with a new EXPLORE! programseries from Buttonwood Nature Center, home of The Institute. Designed for kids in grades K to 5, the programs will run on six Thursdays: June 13, 20, 27, and July 11, 18, 25 from 10–11:30 a.m. at Pine Hill Recreation Area near Waynesboro, Pa.
Participants may register for any or all of the six sessions. This year, EXPLORE! sessions will run simultaneously with Buttonwood’s Wee Wonder series for younger kids, so that families with siblings can attend programs at the same time.
All program activities are outside. Taught by Buttonwood educators, each program includes educational activities related to the season.
The six programs are:
Thursday, June 13, 10–11:30 a.m.
Growing Like a Tree
Students will learn about the life cycle of a plant and what plants needs to survive. They will hike through the park looking for plants in all different stages of life, and then get to paint a flowerpot—and plant a seed in it—to take home.
Thursday, June 20, 10–11:30 a.m.
Metamorphosis Magic
Discover how things change—especially frogs and butterflies. Students learn all about the magic of metamorphosis. They will do some life stages yoga, go for a hike, and create a butterfly life cycle craft to take home. There will be opportunities for students to practice teamwork and cooperation, too.
Thursday, June 27, 10–11:30 a.m.
Insect Investigations
Do you know a bug is different from an insect? Students learn all about insects. They will go on a hike to look for insects and record what they see in nature journals. Kids will also create their own insects and build a “Pollinator Hotel” that they can take home to hang in their yard!
Thursday, July 11, 10–11:30 a.m.
Pollination Celebration
Students learn all about the process of pollination—different kinds of pollinators, why animals pollinate, and what bees, the world’s best-known pollinators, do with the nectar they collect while pollinating. There will be a relay race and a fun craft.
Thursday, July 18, 10–11:30 a.m.
Log Sweet Log
Kids get up close with nature as they explore life on, in, and under logs in the forest. Hands, magnifiers, and our senses are all used to explore how this “forest trash” is really a forest treasure. Participants will investigate what makes fallen trees so important to so many forms of life in the forest, including living trees and soon-to-be trees (seeds). Students will use a microscope to look at things they find on their hike.
Thursday, July 25, 10–11:30 a.m.
Painting with Nature
Nature is beautiful to look at, but did you know it can also be used to create beautiful artwork? Students will go on a hike to find natural items that they will use to make art—with no paintbrushes!
Pre-registration and payment in advance is required. Register for any or all of the individual sessions. The fee is $8 for Buttonwood Nature Center/Institute members and $10 for the general public, per child, per program. Limit: 15 children per program.
Register online at: www.buttonwoodnaturecenter.org. For more information, email Buttonwood at jessica@buttonwoodnaturecenter.org or call 717-762-0373.
