Roaring Brook Nature Center's “SUMMER 2012” Discovery Programs offer your child a unique blend of education and recreation that takes advantage of the curiosity and sense of wonder that all children feel toward the natural world.  

This summer's program offerings include activities for pre-schoolers through students entering grade 8. Grade levels are those your child will enter in the fall. There is a $5 discount for each additional class a child attends.

Print and send in the registration form (registrations are not taken by telephone or email). Enrollment is limited; early registration is strongly recommended! Medical forms are due no later than June 1st. Click here for medical form. Call the Nature Center at 860.693.0263 for additional information. 

PAYMENT / REFUND POLICY: A $20 non-refundable deposit must accompany each class registration (amount of deposit is included in total class cost). Balance is due June 1 for all classes. For cancellations after June 8, balance will be refunded only if your child’s place can be filled from a waiting list.

SCHOLARSHIPS: Roaring Brook Nature Center is currently accepting applications for the Alison Gill and Beth Dal Negro summer program scholarships. The Nature Center's summer programs are offered for children in pre-school through entering 8th Grade. A limited number of partial scholarships are available and will be awarded on the basis of need. Application deadline is May 19th. Please call the Nature Center for information at 860.693.0263.

CLASSES FILL QUICKLY - PLEASE CALL THE NATURE CENTER TO DETERMINE IF A CLASS HAS OPENINGS PRIOR TO MAILING/DROPPING OFF APPLICATION

An opportunity for the young child and a parent to learn together.
Child must be three years old by January 1, 2013.  Sorry, no older siblings
Participants should bring a snack daily (NO peanut products please)

Exploring Together ... June 18 & 20 (Monday, Wednesday)  
Limit: 8 students Time: 9:30 - 10:30 AM
Members: $20.00 Nonmembers: $30.00

Child must be four years old by January 1, 2013
OR have had one year of nursery school.

Limit: 12 students
Time: 9:15 - 11:45 AM
Members: $80.00   Nonmembers: $90.00

Participants should bring a snack daily (NO peanut products please)

Do You See What I See? ... June 18, 20, 22  (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
Using your senses to uncover mysteries in the out of door.

 

Members: $110.00 / Nonmembers: $120.00 (per program)
Monday - Thursday (except where noted)

Limit: 12 students
Time: 9:15 - 11:45 AM

Participants should bring a snack daily (NO peanut products please)

The Nose Knows! (NEW) ... June 25 - 28    
Ever go on a "nose" hike? Ever take a "blind" walk or have a "feely" snack? We'll experiment using our senses in different ways and find out how animals use theirs.

Who Goes There? ... July 2,3,5,6     Note: Mon - Tues - Thurs - Friday program
Tracks, a stray feather or an owl pellet - who's been there? Look for clues that animals leave behind.

Life Under a Log (NEW) ... July 9 -12      one opening left  
Is anybody home? Explore the mysteries that lurk beneath a forest log. What secrets are hidden there?

Lots and Lots of Legs...July 16 - 19
Some animals have two legs, others have a hundred, some don't have any at all! Why so many kinds of legs? Come investigate this creature feature.

Butterfly Bonanza ... July 23 -26
Experience the magical journey from caterpillar to butterfly. What happens inside a "pupa?"  Can you say metamorphosis?

Birds, Beasts and Bugs ... July 30 - August 2     
Explore the natural world and uncover the secrets of animls that live in our woodlands and our own backyards.

Puddles and Ponds ... August 6 - 9   
Water, water everywhere - what does it do? Where does it go?  Who lives in it? Who needs it?

Mystery Animals ... August 13 - 16
What secretive "critters" live in our woods? Why don't we see them? Let's try to find some!

Each week offers a theme around which activities have been developed.
Programs include short hikes, games, stories, crafts and 
observations of animals kept at the Nature Center.

Participants should bring a snack daily (NO peanut products please)

Limit 15 students. 
Time: 9 AM - Noon

        Members $140.00 / Nonmembers: $150.00 per program.

Animal Babies ...June 25 - 29      one opening left    
Find out how animals take care of their babies. Learn about the baby animals cared for at the Nature Center.         
         
Water Days and Waterways (NEW) ...July 2, 3, 5, 6 (Note: 4-day program)       
Have fun exploring the brook and pond. Experiment with water - where does it come from and where does it go?
     Members: $110.00 Nonmembers: $120.00

A Shelter Just for Me ... July 9 - 13  
What do animals use to build their homes? We'll explore different types of shelters used by woodland creatures.

Creepies & Crawlies ... July 16 - 20
Bugs, spiders, snakes, worms and more! Use a net, hand lens and your own explorations to learn how these animals live. 

Fish, Frogs, and Pollywogs ... July 23 - 27
Get your feet wet and find out about life in a pond.  Find out why pond creatures are so important to us. 
         
Green Team (NEW!) ... July 30 - August 3    
How do we impact our enviroment for better or worse? Learn how small steps can become giant leaps!         

Mightly Mammals (NEW) ... August 6 - 10     
From tiny mice to big black bears, there is much to learn about the furry inhabitatns of our woodlands. Find out about fisher cats and porcupines.  

Summer Sun, Winter Wind ... August 13 - 17       FULL 
Observe the signs that tell us fall is on the way. Learn about bird migration, how tadpoles become frogs and why the groundhog gets fat.

Programs for youngsters with a developing interest in the natural world
Participants should bring a snack daily (NO peanut products please) 

Limit: 15 students
Time: 9:00 AM - Noon (except as noted below)
NOTE: Afternoon seesions are available certain weeks from 1- 4 PM
Members: $140.00 / Nonmembers: $150.00 per program

Indian Woods Wisdom... June 25 - 29  
Help set up camp in the woods following ancient Indian methods and traditions of concern for the natural world.  Experience animal tracking, native crafts and shelter building.
          Afternoon Session Available 1:00 - 4:00 PM   August 6 - 10 

Eyes Like An Eagle, Nose Like A Bear (NEW!) ... July 2, 3, 5, 6
(Note: 4-day program) Members: $110.00 Nonmembers: $120.00
Animals' senses are often so much more acute than our own. How do these senses help animals find food and avoid predators. Use your own senses to learn more about the world around us.

It's A Hoot ... July 9 - 13 
Let's take to the skies to explore the lives of birds. From colorful songbirds to the silent predators of the night, over sixty bird species can be found in our woods.

The Water World ...July 9 - 13      AM Session FULL
Afternoon Session 1:00 - 4:00 PM    
Water lovers will enjoy wading across streams and along pond banks in search of their favorite aquatic creatures.     

Survival in the Wilderness ... July 16 - 20  
What would you do if you were lost in the woods? How would you find food and shelter? Discover how people and animals develop skills to survive in the wild.  
         Afternoon Session Available 1:00 - 4:00 PM   July 16 - 20

Cold-Blooded Monsters (NEW) ... July 23 - 27
From massive prehistoric species to bizarre animals found today, we'll take a closer look at extinct, weird and rare retpiles, amphibians and insects from around the world.

Discovery Kids ... July 30 - August 3
Why is the sky blue? How does a compass know which way to point? Why does ice float? Become a biologist, chemist, and physicist to discover answers to these questions through experiments, games, and outdoor activities.   

Rocks, Minerals & Dinosaur Tales: Digging Deeper... August 6 - 10  
Uncover a brand new world beneath our feet. Examine creatures, rocks, minerals and fossils of the earth below. Uncover the secrets of Connecticut's dinosaurs!   

 Indian Woods Wisdom... August 6 - 10 Afternoon Session Available 1 PM- 4 PM
Help set up camp in the woods following ancient Indian methods and traditions of concern for the natural world.  Experience animal tracking, native crafts and shelter building.
                   
The Water World ... August 13 - 17 
Water lovers will enjoy wading across streams and along pond banks in search of their favorite aquatic creatures.
          Afternoon Session Available 1:00 - 4:00 PM       July 9 - 13

Designed for the student with a high degree of interest in the natural world,
the programs include field trips to other natural areas in Connecticut.

Unless otherwise noted, these programs will consist of
three half-day and two full day programs.
9 AM - Noon (Monday - Wednesday) / 9 AM - 3:30 PM (Thursday - Friday)
Members: $230       Nonmembers: $260 (except as noted)

Bring a snack. For all-day classes, participants should also bring lunch.
(NO peanut products please)

Reptiles & Amphibians ... June 25 - 29  
Get ready to look for and learn about frogs, salamanders, turtles, and snakes. Includes field trips to local natural areas.
Limit: 12 students             
Time: 9:00 AM - Noon (Monday - Friday)
Members: $140.00    Nonmembers: $150.00

Chasing Dragons ... July 2, 3, 5, 6     NOTE: 4-day program    
Connecticut's only program on our fastest-flying insects, it combines natural history, physical fitness and had-eye coordination as we attempt to "catch" these prehistoric creatures in order to identify and census them. Includes physically active field trips to natural areas in the Farmington Valley and beyond. An insect net is recommended.
Limit: 8 students (for students entering grades 5 - 9)
Time:  9 AM - Noon (Monday - Tuesday
           9 AM - 3:30 PM (Thursday - Friday)
Members: $195   Nonmembers: $225

Explorations I ... July 9 - 13     
An active week of hiking the Appalachian Trail corridor, canoeing the Farmington River, exploring tidal salt marshes and more! Good physical condition is required. 
Limit: 12 students     

On the Trail of Endangered Species ... July 16 - 20      
Find out about Connecticut's endangered, threatened and special concern species. Includes an all-day field trip to look for rare animals.
Limit: 8 students 

Farmington River Ramblin' ... July 23 - 27
Find out about the wildlife, ecology and history of the Farmington River. Includes a series of short field trips, plus an all-day Friday canoe trip. 
Limit: 12 students

Hidden Gems in the Farmington Valley ... July 30 - August 3
Daily hikes and natural history exploration of spectacular overlooks and scenic waterfalls right here in the Valley! Participants should be in good physical condition.
Limit: 8 students     
   
Explorations II ... August 13 - 17     FULL 
Another week of exciting field trips to Connecticut's unique natural areas.  Includes opportunities for hiking, canoeing, and wildlife observation. 
Limit: 12 students