Youth Programming

This program has been postponed due to an impending snow storm. New date will be in March—check back soon for details! The group will take a hike to identify trees at Red Run Park, make Play-Doh molds of tree bark textures, discover how to tell the age of trees by looking at ‘tree cookies’ (cross […]

The group will listen to the book, The Mitten by Jan Brett. Activities include an animal track hike, looking for animal habitats and homes, dissecting pine cones to find the seeds hidden inside, and making nature chimes. Email us at [email protected] to register for this program. Instructor: Beth Skroban Grades: K–5 Cost: $5 member, $6 non-member. Limit: […]

In addition to listening to a nature story book, students will go on a discovery hike searching for natural treasures and shapes found in nature and make a plant/seed garland for the birds. Email us at [email protected] to register for this program. Instructor: Beth Skroban Grades: K–5 Cost: $5 member, $6 non-member. Limit: 10. Location: Red Run Park […]

The group will take a hike to identify trees at Red Run Park, make Play-Doh molds of leaves and bark, discover how to tell the age of trees by looking at ‘tree cookies’ (cross sections), and learn about tapping trees for maple syrup. A storybook will accompany the syrup portion. Email us at [email protected] to register for […]

Activities include a sensory nature walk, bird identification and learning bird calls, and playing games. The group will also listen to a nature storybook. Email us at [email protected] to register for this program. Instructor: Christian Swartzbaugh Grades: K–5 Cost: $5 member, $6 non-member. Limit: 10. Location: Red Run Park Participants will sign in & complete a waiver/contact form […]

Signs of Spring Grades: K–5 Cost: $5 member, $6 non-member. Location: Pine Hill Recreation Area Time: 4 to 5 p.m. The group will go on a hike—a spring scavenger hunt looking for animal tracks, feathers, flowers, butterflies and more. Activities including listening to a nature story, and planting a flower to take home. Covid safety protocols are […]

Leaf Animals Grades: K–5 Cost: $5 member, $6 non-member. Location: Pine Hill Recreation Area Time: 4 to 5 p.m. Students will collect leaves and glue them on paper to create “leaf animals” of their choice, then take a hike, discovering interesting items in nature, including trees that are especially important for producing caterpillars or beautiful moths […]

Going on a Bug Hunt Grades: K–5 Cost: $5 member, $6 non-member. Location: Pine Hill Recreation Area Time: 4 to 5 p.m. The instructor will take the group on a guided bug/insect hunt—turning over logs, looking under leaves etc. Students will also use “bug box magnifiers” and hand-held lenses to inspect their finds up close. Covid […]

Nature Journaling Grades: K–5 Cost: $5 member, $6 non-member. Location: Pine Hill Recreation Area Time: 4 to 5 p.m. Students will learn how to make their own “cut and fold” nature journal out of paper. They will decorate the cover with their choice of ink stamps and their own drawings. They will also take a hike […]

Camping Fun and Nature Games The Institute is offering a series of six new outdoor adventure programs in June & July. Designed for kids in grades K to 5, the EXPLORE! programs will run on Wednesdays, June 23 & 30, and July 7, 14, 21 & 28, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Pine Hill […]

Summer fun for kids! The Institute is offering a series of six new outdoor adventure programs in June & July. Summer fun for kids! Designed for kids in grades K to 5, the EXPLORE! programs will run on Wednesdays, June 23 & 30, and July 7, 14, 21 & 28, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Pine […]