Parent and Child Discovery

Thursdays 9:30 - 10:30 AM
2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29, 4/5, 4/12, 4/19, 5/3

Fridays 9:30-10:30 AM
2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, No 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 5/4, 6/1 (make up)

Come visit the Arboretum with your little explorers to introduce them to the exciting natural world found inside and outside the Stone House. Young children introduced to nature develop a life-long appreciation for their surroundings. Bring your 2 ½ to 3 year-olds to join educator Erica Fisher for this “learn by doing” program. So join your child in some special learning time through songs, animal introductions, crafts and nature hikes.

Infant siblings are welcome; backpacks are recommended for carrying infants on hikes.

Children must be at least 2½ by January 31st.
The program is designed for children with parental attendance.

Arboretum membership is required and can be done while registering.

Turtle Tots

Children's focus over time has moved from outdoors to indoors with less and less time being spent in direct contact with nature. Turtle Tots is designed to foster 3, 4 and 5 year olds innate desire to explore the natural world. Even the smallest child is attracted to animals, flowers and trees and through a different program each week we foster that curiosity with trail walks, crafts, games, stories and hands-on activities.

Children will interact socially while touching the earth, feeling a furry animal or turning over a log and will create a nature craft each week.

Please dress children for outdoor activities. Morning class participants bring a snack and afternoon participants a lunch.

Children must be 3 years old by the first class and be able to use the bathroom on their own to enroll. The program is designed for children without parental attendance.

Tuesdays 9:15-11:15 AM
1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/28, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 5/1

Tuesdays 12:00-2:00PM
1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/28, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 5/1

Wednesdays 9:15 - 11:15 AM
2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/29, 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 5/2

Thursdays 12:00 - 2:00 PM
2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29, 4/5, 4/12, 4/19, 5/3

Fridays 12:00 - 2:00 PM
2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, No 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 5/4, 6/1(make up)

Arboretum membership is required and can be done while registering.

February Vacation Mini-Camp For Preschoolers and grades K-2

The February Camp is Full - please call to be put on the waitlist.

Ages: 3-6
Time: 9:30AM-11:30AM
Optional Lunch Bunch 11:30AM-12:30PM

Price: $150/Week and Lunch Bunch is an additional $15/per day. CHA provides a light morning snack.

Daily Nature Themes:
Monday Maple Syrup
Tuesday Animal Tracks
Wednesday cooking vegetables and making soup
Thursday Recycle; making paper with a special guest!
Friday Mammals; Stone House animal show with Erica!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE FOR THE FEBRUARY SESSION

Click here to print Emergency Form

Test Program

program description

Adopt an Animal

Birthday Parties at the Arboretum

Nature-themed birthday parties are available for up to 20 children aged 3 to 10 years old. The party can be designed around a particular theme your child is currently interested in, or you can use one of the ideas provided below.

We start with a short lesson on the topic of your child’s choice followed by a theme-related nature craft. Next is a hike through the woodlands with the Environmental Educator, Erica Fisher. Upon return to the Stone House, the last 20 minutes is reserved for food, cake or family time. Please note that at least one adult for every four children is required to stay for the party.

Cost: $300 (excludes food, beverages and paper goods)
Duration: 90 minutes
Number of Attendees: up to 20 children
Dates Available: Friday afternoons or Saturdays. Other weekdays possible during summer and school vacations.
Please try to reserve at least one month in advance.

Party Theme Ideas:
Meet the animals that live in the Stone House
Birding
Bees
Trees and their leaves
Worms 101
Butterfly Habitats

or choose the Supreme Arboretum Party
The Arboretum has partnered with a traveling zoo called Eyes of Wild. The zoo’s owner, Travis Gale, mixes comedy and charisma into every presentation to show his true passion for educating children about wildlife. With over 200 animals - from porcupines to parrots, armadillos to wallabies – you never know who will show up at your party! It is a fantastic live animal show that teaches lots of facts through story telling and demonstration.

The Eyes of the Wild presentation is 45 minutes, which is followed by a guided nature walk through the Arboretum grounds led by Environmental Educator, Erica Fisher. Upon return to the Stone House, the remaining time is reserved for food, cake or family time. Cost is $450; party duration, number of attendees and dates available are the same as above. For more information on Eyes of the Wild, go to www.eyeswild.com.

The Stone House facilities include:
Kitchen with sink, stove/oven and refrigerator/freezer
Plenty of countertop space
3 bathrooms and a coatroom
Over 20 reptiles, amphibians, fish and mammals, as well as an observational beehive for your partygoers to view!

Scouting at the Arboretum

The Arboretum offers prearranged nature and environmental scouting programs. The classes are taught by an Arboretum teacher and run for one hour. We will assist scouts with lessons to cover badge specifications.

Learn more about lessons here.

There is a fee of $60 per group of 15 students or less and $5 per additional scout.

School Field Trips

The Arboretum offers a series of environmental programs available to school classes to supplement their science curriculum. Students experience the natural world through creative, interactive indoor activities and outdoor exploration of our 16-acres.

Topics include woodland habitats, insect ecology, tree studies, maple sugaring, bird adaptations, plant life cycles and local geology.

Learn more about lessons here.