Thank you for your interest in our EXPLORE! Summer Institute series!
Payment must be received before your reservation can be confirmed.
Programs are scheduled on the following dates:
Thursdays, June 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28 and August 4
All sessions: 9:30–11 AM
Pay here via PayPal: (NO REFUNDS. SPACE IS LIMITED. PLEASE DO NOT PAY FOR A SESSION WITHOUT FIRST PRE-REGISTERING VIA PHONE OR EMAIL. Thank you!)
PLEASE NOTE: Reservations purchased with PayPal have 3% added onto the price. This extra amount covers the transaction fee that PayPal charges our organization for the convenience of online payment options. Thank you!
For information on becoming an Institute member, click here!
PayPal buttons for Institute members and for the General Public. Choose as many sessions as you like.
The programs are:
Thurs., June 30, 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Fairy Houses
After listening to the book, “Fairy Houses” by Tracy Kane, kids will take a hike in the woods, collecting treasures from nature along the way—leaves, rocks, sticks, vines and more—to build a fairy house in the woods. Fairy houses can be created in any season in any outdoor setting.
Thursday, July 7, 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Nature Journaling
Kids will learn how to keep a nature journal to record their outdoor experiences and observations in a diary-like format. Students can describe what they saw with words, and draw pictures to illustrate it. Examples include animal tracks and other animal signs, plus different types of plants and flowers. The journal can be used to note the date, time, location and weather, too.
Thurs., July 14, 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Sand—More Than Just Castles!
Students will listen to the book, “When A Dragon Moves In” by Jodi Moore. They will learn all about sand and shells—where sand comes from, how it was made, and why we have sand in Pennsylvania, far from the beach. While they learn concepts like weathering, erosion and percolation, kids will also use sand in creative projects. Kids will “paint” a sand art picture, and choose a second project of creating a sand art necklace, or bottle art.
Thurs., July 21, 9:30 to 11 a.m.
FUNtography in Nature
Kids will enjoy a guided nature walk, training their eyes to look for what is happening around them in nature and searching for bugs, critters, and plant and leaf patterns. Students learn how to do basic nature photography with a cellphone or other camera (kids should bring some kind of camera).
Thurs., July 28, 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Soil! Can You Dig It
Kids will examine soil for earthworms and look at the different components of soil. They will take a guided hike in the woods, read a book, and make nature mandala art using soil and other natural items.
Thurs., August 4, 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Summer Fun and Fort Building
This program introduces STEM concepts. Students will enjoy a seasonal nature book, Fort Building Time by Megan Wagner-Lloyd. They will go on a guided “wondering walk” through the forest. Finally, students will work together with others to build a lean-to structure with natural materials.
Institute members, use button below
Non-members (general public), use button below
