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:

Thurs., 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. 

Wed., July 7, 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Nature Journaling
Kids will learn how to keep a nature journal to record their outdoor experiences and observations in a diary-like format. Students can describe what they saw with words, and draw pictures to illustrate it. Examples include animal tracks and other animal signs, plus different types of plants and flowers. The journal can be used to note the date, time, location and weather, too.

Thurs., July 14, 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Sand—More Than Just Castles!
Students will listen to the book, “When Dragons Move In” by Jodi Moore. They will learn all about sand and shells—where sand comes from, how it was made, and why we have sand in Pennsylvania, far from the beach. While they learn concepts like weathering, erosion and percolation, kids will also use sand in creative projects. Kids will “paint” a sand art picture, and choose a second project of creating a sand art necklace, or bottle art.

Thurs., July 21, 9:30 to 11 a.m.
FUNtography in Nature
Kids will enjoy a guided nature walk, training their eyes to look for what is happening around them in nature and searching for bugs, critters, and plant and leaf patterns. Students learn how to do basic nature photography with a cellphone or other camera (kids should bring some kind of camera).

Thurs., July 28, 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Soil! Can You Dig It
Kids will examine soil for earthworms and look at the different components of soil. They will take a guided hike in the woods, read a book, and make nature mandala art using soil and other natural items.

Thurs., August 4, 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. Finally, students will work together with others to build a lean-to structure with natural materials.

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.