Roaring Brook Nature Center's “SUMMER 2008” 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 around them.  

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. A limited number of partial scholarships are available; deadline for application - May 23th. Print and use the registration form (registrations are not taken by telephone). Enrollment is limited; early registration is strongly recommended! Call the Nature Center at (860) 693-0263 for additional information. 

PAYMENT / REFUND POLICY: $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 6, balance will be refunded only if your child’s place can be filled from a waiting list.

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, 2009. Sorry, no older siblings.

Nature for Little Ones I ... June 24 & 26 (Tuesday, Thursday)
Limit: 8 students Time: 9:30 - 10:30 AM
Members: $20.00 Nonmembers: $30.00

Nature for Little Ones II ... August 5 & 7 (Tuesday, Thursday)
Limit: 8 students Time: 9:30 - 10:30 AM
Members: $20.00 Nonmembers: $30.00

Child must be four years old by January 1, 2009 OR have had one year of nursery school. Limit: 12 students
Time: 9:15 - 11:30 AM
Members: $60.00 Nonmembers: $70.00

Sharing Nature's Wonders ... June 23, 25, 27 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
A close-up look at habitats around the Nature Center.

Do You See What I See? ... August 4, 6, 8 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
Using your senses to uncover mysteries in the out of doors.

Members: $80.00 / Nonmembers: $100.00 (per program)
Monday - Thursday
Limit: 12 students
Time: 9:15 - 11:45 AM
Participants should bring a snack daily

Birds, Beasts and Bugs....June 30 - July 3
A program for pre-schoolers who enjoy learning the secrets of animals and exploring the world of nature that surrounds us.

Nature's Kaleidoscope ...July 7 - 10
Let's check out the beautiful colors and designs of nature's creatures. What purpose do they serve? Camouflage? To scare away predators?

Dirt Makes My Lunch...July 14 - 17
Grab a handful of soil and find out what's in it! Discover why animals depend on it and why we need it for growing food.

Butterfly Bonanza ... July 21 - 24
Experience the magical journey from caterpillar to butterfly. What happens inside a "pupa?" 
Can you say metamorphosis?

Puddles and Ponds ... July 28 - 31
Water, water everywhere - what does it do? Where does it go?  Who lives in it? Who needs it?

Who Goes There? ... August 4 - 7   
Tracks, a stray feather or an owl pellet - who's been here? Look for clues that animals leave behind.

Mystery Animals ... August 11 - 14
Look for clues that animals leave behind in their travels. Who are they? What are they doing and why are they there?

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.
Limit 15 students. 
Time: 9 AM - Noon
        Note: afternoon sessions also available on certain weeks from 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Members $100.00 / Nonmembers: $115.00 per program (except where noted)

Animal Babies ...June 23 - 27    
Find out how animals take care of their babies. Learn about the baby animals cared for at the Nature Center.         
          Afternoon Session Available 1:00 - 4:00 pm  

BUGS!...June 30 - July 3 (four day program)
Insects are the largest and most diverse of all animal groups. From beetles to butterflies, from ants to aphids, we'll study the lives of these six-legged creatures.
Members: $85.00      Nonmembers:  $100.00

Fish, Frogs, and Pollywogs ... July 7 - 11    
Get your feet wet and find out about life in a pond.  Find out why pond creatures are so important to us. 
          Afternoon Session Available 1:00 - 4:00 pm     

Journey to the Center of the Earth! ... July 14 - 18
We won't find real dinosaurs, but we will discover rocks, roots, fossils and even furry creatures.  We'll also learn some secrets about the earth.  
          Afternoon Session Available 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Where the Wild Things Are ....July 21 - 25    
Prickly porcupines, wily weasels and star-nosed moles are but a few of the animals that live here, but are rarely if ever seen. Find out where they live and learn their secrets.

Color Play! ... July 28 - August 1  
Blue birds! Green Darners! Goldenrod and purple coneflowers! Explore our world of color by looking at plants and animals. You'll be glad you are not nocturnal!

Creepies & Crawlies ... August 4 - 8
What lives under a log?  Spiders, snakes and worms! Use a hand lens and net to learn how these animals live.

Summer Sun, Winter Wind ... August 11 - 15
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 world of nature.
Participants should bring a snack daily. 

Limit: 15 students
Time: 9:00 AM - Noon
Note: afternoon sessions are available on certain weeks from 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Members: $100.00 / Nonmembers: $115.00 per program (except where noted)

The Art of Tracking ... June 23 - 27
Learn to read the language of animal signs. A closer look at the forest will reveal tracks,  scrapes and feathers....hidden signs that tell a story.

People of the Earth ... June 30 - July 3 (four day program)   
People who know their environment, take care of it. We'll try ways people in the Arctic, desert, tropics and our own forests use their knowledge of nature to survive.
        Members: $85, Nonmembers: $100

Wild Animals I Have Known (NEW!)... June 25 - 29
How much can you know about an animal? Get to know the habits of mammals, birds and other creatures by direct observation and by sharing experiences through stories and art.

Nature Games and More (NEW!) ... July 2, 3, 5, 6 (four day program)
This new program features an exciting array of nature games and activities indoors and out. Earlier generations had fun without TV, video and computer games.
         Members $80.00   Nonmembers: $90.00

Rocks, Minerals and Dinosaur Tales ... July 7 - 11
Learn how crystals form, hunt for rocks and minerals and uncover the secrets of Connecticut's dinosaurs.
         Afternoon Session 1:00 - 4:00 PM 

Animals, Animals (NEW)... July 14 - 18  
Thousands of animals inhabit our forests and fields. How many kinds can we find on our weklong "bioblitz." How will some interact in the terrarium we make for them?

Nature Arts ... July 21 - 25   
Designed to help students interpret what they see in the natural world in an artful way. You'll 
have the opportunity to paint, draw, sculpt and move using natural materials whenever possible.
         Afternoon Session 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Survival in the Wilderness (NEW) ... July 28 - August 1
What would you do if you were lost in the woods? How would you find food and shelter? How do people and animals develop skills to survive in the wild?

Forest and Fables: Nature Writing for Children (NEW)... July 28 - August 1  
         Afternoon Session ONLY 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Calling all writers! How does nature inspire us as wtriters? Explore different literary forms that draw their inspiration from the natural world. We'll use these models to create our own poetry and short stories.

The Water World ... August 4 - 8   
Water lovers will enjoy wading across streams and along pond banks in search of their favorite aquatic creatures.
         Afternoon Session (1:00 - 4:00 PM) Available

Indian Woods Wisdom... August 11 - 15
Help set up camp in the woods following ancient Indian methods and traditions of concern for the natural world. Experience animals tracking, nature crafts and shelter building.
         Afternoon Session 1:00 - 4:00 PM

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

Please note times and fees for each class

Bring a snack. For all-day classes, participants should also bring lunch.

Reptiles & Amphibians ... June 23 - 27
Get ready to look for and learn about frogs, salamanders, turtles, and snakes. Includes field trips to local natural areas.
Limit: 8 students             
Time: 9:00 AM - Noon
Members: $110.00              Nonmembers: $125.00

Chasing Dragons ... June 30 - July 3 (four day program)
Identification, behavioral observations of dragonflies and censusing of these prehistoric creatures includes physically active field trips to natural areas in the Farmington Valley and beyond. An insect net is recommended.
Limit: 8 students
Time: 9:00 AM - Noon (Monday, Tuesday)
           9:00 AM - 3:30 PM (Wednesday, Thursday)
Members: 165.00,  Nonmembers: $180.00

Exploring Connecticut ... 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: 10 students               
Time:  9:00 AM - 3:30 PM 
Members: $280.00             Nonmembers: $300.00

On the Trail of Vanishing Species ... July 14 - 18
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 
Time: 9:00 AM - Noon (Monday - Thursday)
           9:00 - 3:30 PM (Friday)
Members: $150.00            Nonmembers: $165.00

Hidden Gems in the Farmington Valley ... July 21 - 25    
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             
Time:  9:00 AM - Noon (Monday - Wednesday)  
            9:00 AM - 3:30 PM (Thursday, Friday)
Members: $180.00              Nonmembers: $200.00

Farmington River Ramblin' ... July 28 - August 1
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
Time:  9:00 AM - Noon (Monday - Thursday)
            9:00 AM - 3:30 PM (Friday)
Members: $150.00              Nonmembers: $165.00

More Exploring Connecticut ... August 11 - 15
Another week of exciting all-day field trips to Connecticut's unique natural areas.  Includes a  visit to our state's only National Wildlife Refuge, as well as opportunities for hiking, canoeing,  and wildlife observation.  Bring a snack and lunch.  For graduates of "Exploring Connecticut,"  a whole new series of natural history field trips. 
Limit: 10 students        
Time: 9:00 - 3:30 PM
Members: $280.00      Nonmembers: $300.00