Come venture along the sanctuary trails on a sensory tour. We will explore the magic of the outdoors by using our many senses. Let's see what we can discover using our eyes, ears, nose, hands, and even taste. Using found materials from nature, we will create a nature collage.
We will be exploring the tide-pools of Sandy Point to learn about the relationships between the water, plants, and animals that live in this habitat. We will learn how to search and handle a wide variety of intertidal animals including snails, mussels, crabs, and other small invertebrates. We plan to play a game that shows what life in a tide-pool is like, sing some songs and get a little wet too!
Have you ever seen a water boatman up close? How about a caddisfly larva or water scorpion? If not, then join us for a summer morning of pond dipping. Using hand lenses, microscopes, and strainers, we'll search for turtles and frogs and delight in the sights and smells of a morning on the pond. We will provide sketch pads, pastels, and watercolors so you can recreate your findings in detail.
Halibut Point State Park hosts a program on Stratigraphy, the branch of geology concerned with the order and relative position of strata and their relationship to the geological time scale. In Stratigraphy at Halibut Point visitors explore some of Halibut’s soil/bedrock contact points and explore the story of time that they tell.
This week we learn about butterflies, how to catch them and what they eat! Adults and children can spend quality family time in the great outdoors finding, observing, and admiring local wildlife. Excursions might include a group game to burn off some steam, an on-the-water scavenger hunt, or a guided tour. We'll observe, investigate, and compare coastal environments and their inhabitants, both on- and offshore. Each adventure will leave your family excited to come back for more!
The summer solstice has been celebrated for centuries, with all sorts of traditions growing up around it. Join us on the longest day of the year and create your own traditions, by celebrating nature and being outside. After reading The Longest Day: Celebrating the Summer Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer, we will stroll along the sanctuary trails observing the delights of the season. Upon our return, we will create sun art and light the traditional bonfire. You are welcome to bring a picnic supper to enjoy after the celebration.
Preschoolers will Imagine, Sing the Learn about animal groups in this session! This parent/child program is designed for the creative, curious, and active preschooler. This is a 90 minute program for preschoolers and a grown-up all about t ladybugs and honey bees and how they are friends of the garden. Today “Miss Jan” had a full class and had so much fun singing songs, teaching about how insects help the garden and the farmers, and making bug puppets, and eating our “bugs in a bowl” snack made from fresh fruit: see attached photo for a quick sneak peek.
Halibut Point State Park has a fascinating mix of ecosystems that are particular to this area. Meet with Ed Jylkka, and explore these unique place and the flora and fauna at Halibut Point. Best for children over 8 years old and families. Meet at the Visitor Center.
You're invited to Sandy Point to learn all about sand, where it comes from and surprising facts about the make up of sand! Join the interpreter in a sand sifting excursion to find the composition of the material that covers our New England beaches. Appropriate for children.
Maudslay State Park has one of the best shows of flower bloom in the Commonwealth. Come and join the beginning of this cycle with a look at the two varieties of trilliums that bloom at Maudslay with the park interpreter. This month, we enjoy the bloom of Lily-of-the-Valley, Ghent/Exbury Azalea, Columbine, and Ox-eye Daisy. Wear comfortable shoes and appropriate warm clothes. Meet at the park headquarters at 74 Curzon Mill Rd
