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| Exhibits, Events and Nature Walks | ||||||||||||||||
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Mia's Garden Roaring Brook Nature Center has almost completed work on Mia’s Garden, an area in front of the Nature Center building that will serve as a combination garden, educational exhibit and resting place for our students and visitors. The Garden is in memory of Mia Shand, a beautiful young lady who loved nature and had a tremendous curiosity about the natural world and how things work. Mia's Garden consists of two seating areas. The garden to the side of the front door provides a gathering/seating area for our visitors and educational signs on animal senses. The circular garden to the side of the building provides benches and educational signs explaining the local geology. Extraordinary geological rock specimens are also on display in this area of the garden. New native plantings, a small water feature and bird feeding stations to be installed this spring will complement this garden renovation. We are very excited about these new educational exhibit areas and thank the many members of the Canton community who have been so generous in contributing to this project. If you have questions about Mia’s Garden, |
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Nature Programs & Events
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Saturdays
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Meet Matt Messina - Wildlife Artist On most Saturdays (except July and August), Nature Center visitors will have an opportunity to watch Avon High School student, Matt Messina, at work. Matt is an up and coming wildlife artist. For the past two years, Matt has won 2011 and 2010 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Contest for Connecticut contest. Matt is a student of Kathy Goff, a well-known wildlife artist who has a studio at the Farmington Valley Arts Center. Matt Messina and Kathy Goff are also working on a variety of other upcoming exhibit projects at the Nature Center, including illustrations for Animal Senses signage for the Mia Shand garden and a mural for the Farmington River mussels display. Stop by for a visit and see what projects are underway! |
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Sunday
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Do bears really hibernate? Did the Groundhog really see his shadow last week? Walk gently through the forest to uncover the mysteries of wildlife habits in mid-winter. Cost: Members: $4 adults, $2 for children; Pre-registration is not required.
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Saturday
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What do you do if you get lost in the woods in winter? Learn what basic supplies you may need to survive a night outdoors. Includes fire building and shelter construction. Dress for winter weather. Not geared for children under age 9. Pre-registration is required. Cost: Members - $5 per person or $15 per family;
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Sunday
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Maple Sugaring in Your Own Backyard Our annual demonstration teaches you how to make maple syrup the easy way. We’ll cover the entire process from identifying the tree to the best part – tasting the final product. Cost: Members -$4 adults, $2 children; Pre-registration is not required. |
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Friday
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Evening Vernal Pools/Amphibians Program Learn about the amphibians that inhabit vernal pools as we search for nocturnal wildlife. Pre-registration is required for this program as space is limited. Not geared for very young children. Cost: Members $5; Nonmembers: $7
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Friday
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Listen and look for barred owls and other nocturnal creatures along our trails. Pre-registration is required for this program as space is limited. Not geared for very young children. Cost: Members $5; Nonmembers: $7 |
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| Classes
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| DISCOVERY DAYS PROGRAMS | ||||||||||||||||
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Discovery Days is the Nature Center’s enrichment series for children in pre-school and in grades K-3. The cost of each four week session is $40.00 for members, $50.00 for nonmembers. Two week sessions (Nature For Little Ones) are $20.00 for members, $25.00 for nonmembers.Discounts may be extended to families with multiple children attending during the same time period. Portions of the program are held outdoors, please dress accordingly. Please click here to learn more. |
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Session I
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SPRING IN THE WOODS for Home School Families Designed for home school families, this four-session class offers children ages 3-8 with a parent guided discovery of the many spring signs to be found in our woodlands. We will explore the effects of seasonal change on animals, plants and their habitats as we hike along our trails. Cost is $60 per child for all four sessions. Pre-registration is required. Call the Nature Center for additional information at 860.693.0263. For a registration form, click here. |
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Monday
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Curious Kids 3: HAPPY EARTH DAY! Celebrate Earth Day with a story, hike and activities designed for fun and learning. For children age 3-6 with a parent, grandparent or supervising adult. Cost: Members $8.00; Nonmembers $10.00. Pre-registration is required and spaces are limited. For a registration form, click here. |
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Monday
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Adventure Story Time for children ages 2-5 will be held on the second Monday of each month from 1:00-2:00 PM. Adults and children can participate in a shared story with a craft and short walk. Children must be accompanied by an adult. There is a charge of $2/child with a maximum $5 per family. Please call the Nature Center to register. Pre-registration is requested.
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| SUMMER DISCOVERY DAYS PROGRAMS | ||||||||||||||||
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In early March, the Nature Center will mail its summer program brochure to all who participated in our programs in 2011, as well as to members who live in neighboring Farmington Valley towns. If you would like to receive a summer program brochure, please call us at (860) 693-0263 or send us a short e-mail at rbnc@thechildrensmuseumct.org |
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| SCHOOL VACATION PROGRAMS - Grades K-5 | ||||||||||||||||
Tuesday
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FEBRUARY Vacation Program Grades K-5 February Nature Carnival Fun with snow and ice, animal tracking and, depending upon weather conditions, snowshoeing or even maple sugaring will be part of this one-day vacation program. Cost: $30 members, $35 nonmembers. Pre-registration with payment is required for these programs. Call the Nature Center for additional information. For a registration form, click here. |
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Monday - Friday
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APRIL Vacation Program Grades K-5 Hello Spring! What tells us that spring has arrived? What will we find? Join us for a week of morning fun and exploration! Pre-registration with payment is required for these programs. Daily Rate: Members $30, nonmembers $35 Call the Nature Center for additional information. For a registration form, click here. |
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| Special Events
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Sunday |
Nancy Tucker - The Joy Generator! Nancy Tucker blends outrageous squeaky clean comedy, spirited guitar instrumentals and moving songs of human experience in her shows for people of all ages. Her music and comedy center around a passion for life and laughter. Nancy captures each audience's imagination and heart with gentle invitation and contagious lunacy. Advance tickets: $7 members, $8 nonmembers |
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Thurday
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Meet Manitou, an imprinted Raven from Sharon Audubon Center, followed by “Ravens,” a 50-minute PBS film that explores how these very intelligent birds acquired the contradictory images they possess throughout the world. Free to members, $5.00 for nonmembers.
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Saturday
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BETTY KLEINER LECTURE PRESENTS Naturalist/author “Wildman” Steve Brill returns to Roaring Brook Nature Center to lead one of his world famous foraging tours. This is Wildman’s fourth visit to the Nature Center, scheduled as late spring herbs and greens should be popping up. A 30-minute talk will be followed by a 60-minute walking tour along the trails of Werner’s Woods in search of wild foods. Brill is best known for having been arrested in new York’s Central park for picking a dandelion. He is the author of Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (and Not-So-Wild) Places and The Wild Vegetarian Cookbook and copies of his books will be available for purchase. Cost: $10 with advanced registration, $15 at the door. Pre-registration is recommended as space is limited. |
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Sunday
before Thanksgiving
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Are you interested in being a part of our 2012 Holiday Craft Fair? We welcome vendors who have produced hand-made gifts and/or natural products to sell as 'gifts' during the holiday season. For an registration form, please contact Margery Winters at mwinters@thechildrensmuseumct.org or 860.693.0263 |
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Tuesday
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Bring your friends!
Bring your family! |
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| Guided Nature Walks
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Saturdays Sundays
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An early morning walk through Werner’s Woods provides welcome sights and sounds for beginning birders as well as those with more experience in the field. Bird walks are not geared for younger children. Bring binoculars and dress for wet ground underfoot. Cost: Members $2, nonmembers $3. Pre-registration is not required.
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Sundays
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March 4th – Maple Sugaring in Your Own Backyard May 13th – Annual Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk June 10th – Butterflies, Dragonflies & other Unusual Insects Cost: $4 members , $6 nonmembers Pre-registration is not required. |
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Guided
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| During July and August, group nature walks may be scheduled by individuals, families or by organized groups on selected weekday afternoons. Walks may be general or may focus on a specific topic of interest. Call the Nature Center for additional information. | ||||||||||||||||
Volunteers Needed!
For more information on our volunteer needs, click here. |
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Birthday Party Opportunities During July and August, the Nature Center will offer birthday parties on selected weekday afternoons from 1:30 – 3:30 PM. (Please note that birthday party availability is subject to the Nature Center’s summer program schedule of classes and public events). For more information, click here. To make a reservation call the Center at (860) 693-0263. |
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Scout Programs For more information on Scout programs, call the Center at 693-0263l |
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