Wanted: Natural Kids!

It seems like I’ve had the same conversation over and over lately—with parents, teachers, friends—lamenting the lack of children’s access to free outdoor play.  Today’s kids spend more time in structured activities or in front of a computer monitor or tablet and less and less just playing outside with friends.  The causes of this problem are myriad: two working parents may not be able to supervise children’s play, less open areas in which to play, increased safety concerns and more scheduled lives mean many of today’s children are growing up without any meaningful engagement with nature.

Fortunately Westmoreland Sanctuary has an antidote to this problem!  

Beginning this Spring we will be offering new nature classes for preschool and elementary age children.  Starting April 9, classes for 3-5 year olds will focus on hands-on, project-based learning introducing nature using their five senses.  Participants will be encouraged to see, touch, smell, hear and sometimes even taste natural materials from our sanctuary. Topics may include: what lives beneath our feet, worms!, what makes an insect, skunk cabbage and other beautiful forest flowers, and the life of a hive. 

For K-2nd grade students learning will be made fun through immersion in the natural world.  Participants will collect creatures from our ponds, create an observation tank, and participate in our monitoring programs.  Topics may include: when a pond awakes, who swims in the water?, who comes to drink?/who comes to eat?, from tadpole to frog, turtles—land or water?,  and where have all the frog’s gone?

Students in grades 3-5 will participate in observational research projects focusing on our forest creatures.  These students will learn how to interpret evidence and record data for research. Topics may include: animal breeding, vernal pool monitoring, bird-banding, nest-box monitoring, and animal signs and tracking.

PRESCHOOL      (must be accompanied by caregiver)                                      Wednesdays 1:30-2:30   “Spring in the Soil: Buds, Bugs and Bees”                         April 10-May 29

GRADES K-2   (drop-off)                                                                                     Thursdays 3:45-5:00 “Spring in the Pond: Frogs, Fish & Turtles”                        April 11-June 13

GRADES 3-5    (drop-off)                                                                        Tuesdays 3:45-5:00 “Spring in the Woods: Birds & Forest Animals”                  April 9-June 11

Registration for these classes is on our website: www.westmorlandsanctuary.org. For questions call 914-666-8448 or info@westmorelandsanctuary.org.

Please check back soon to learn about Summer nature classes at Westmoreland Sanctuary!