Summer Institute: EXPLORE!

The Institute Presents All New Summer EXPLORE! Programs for Kids

EXPLORE! programs are a series of outdoor adventure programs, designed for kids in grades K to 5. All program activities are outside. 

Taught by Institute educators, each program includes educational activities related to the season.­­

Space is limited; pre-register at 717-762-0373 or via email at [email protected].
Sign up for any or all of the individual sessions.
Fee: Single Session: $7 Institute member/$9 general public. 

The Institute is offering a series of six new outdoor adventure programs in June and July. Designed for kids in grades K to 5, the EXPLORE! programs will run on Thursdays, June 23 and 30, and July 7, 14, 21 & 28, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Pine Hill Recreation Area in Waynesboro, Pa.

All program activities are outside. Each week features a different theme. Taught by Institute educators, all programs include educational activities related to the season and theme. 

The programs are:

Thursday, June 23, 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Summer Fun and Fort Building 
This program introduces STEM concepts. Students will enjoy a seasonal nature book, Fort Building Time by Megan Wagner-Lloyd. They will go on a guided “wondering walk” through the forest, and learn how humans keep warm in the winter. Finally, students will work together with others to build a lean-to structure with natural materials.

Thursday, June 30, 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Fairy Houses
After listening to the book, “Fairy Houses” by Tracy Kane, kids will take a hike in the woods, collecting treasures from nature along the way—leaves, rocks, sticks, vines and more—to build a fairy house in the woods. Fairy houses can be created in any season in any outdoor setting. 

Thursday, July 7, 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Nature Journaling
Kids will learn how to keep a field journal, as used by professional naturalists and biologists. This nature journal uses the scientific method of recording field experiences and observations in a diary-like format. Entries are written in complete sentences and narrate what was observed. Examples include finding animal tracks and signs, as well as documenting types of plants, noting date, time, location, weather, habitat and more.

Three more programs round out the series—topics and details will be announced SOON…check back!

Thursday, July 14, 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Program TBA

Thursday, July 21, 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Program TBA

Thursday, July 28, 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Program TBA

EXPLORE! programs are sponsored by The Anderson Family Fund, in memory of Vida Mae Anderson.

Additional support by The Institute’s Today’s Horizon Fund Contributors: The Nora Roberts Foundation; The John R. Hershey Jr. and Anna L. Hershey Family Foundation; Alma W. Oyer; APX Enclosures, Inc.; the Carolyn Terry Eddy Family: Carolyn, with daughters Connie Fleagle & Kim Larkin, and an anonymous donor, in honor of the life and work of Eunice Statler. Facility support courtesy of Washington Township.