Sprouts: Young Explorers

Thursday’s Nature Storytime for Sprouts had a makeover and has become Sprouts: Young Explorers, a one-hour program held from 10:00-11:00am one Thursday per month. Each session will include a book, an environmentally based activity or two, and time outside for exploring.

Younger siblings may join us, but please remember to register and dress appropriately. An adult must accompany their child, make sure everyone bundles up in the winter and early spring months.

After class, we hope you investigate our exhibits, further enjoy our children’s literature and resources available in Story Grove and continue to capture the beauty of our natural setting.

January 23: Snow Fun
The children will listen to the selection, I Am Snow and use their five senses to describe what snow looks - like, smells- like, feels-like, tastes-like, and even hears - like. We will go outside and investigate the winter landscape and look for evidence that some animals are active during winter months. After searching for animal tracks, we will prepare a winter treat for our animal friends.

February 20: How Sweet It Is!
The Explorers will unlock the mysteries of making maple syrup. We will take a 15-minute walk to a nearby sugarbush to observe a tapped maple tree, visit the Sugar Shack and even sample some syrup. Our book choice involves families that collect and prepare their own maple syrup! Dress in layers for the weather including boots or shoes that can get muddy. More than half of this class will be held outside. Be prepared to walk on uneven paths that are no suitable for most strollers.

March 19: Observing Eagles and other Local Birds
What can we learn from watching the Eagle Cam with its 24/7 view of the Duke Farms Bald Eagle nest? We will compare what we see with observations made at the bird feeder and what we can also spot in the sky. Be prepared for a 10-minute walk to the feeder by dressing in layers for the weather. Boots or warm shoes are recommended.

April 16: April Showers
April showers bring May flowers! After enjoying a book about rain, we will head out to look for signs of life on our way to the Duke Farms weather station. It’s a short walk, but please wear boots as the ground is often soggy in the field. The path is not suitable for most strollers; carriers are best for wee ones. When we return indoors, we will create our own water cycle experiment and make observations.