Activity Search

For this outdoor program, parents/caregivers and children will take part in hands-on activities to learn about nature and develop social skills. These activities will include circle time, games, and observing animals and plants. Participants should expect to do a fair amount of walking. Both Tuesday and Thursday classes are identical. Please choose one or the other.

Parent/Caregiver and older or experienced nature schoolers participate in hands-on outdoor activities to build on their experiences with the natural world and peers. Circle time, games, wildlife observations and guided exploration of Mill Woods Park and other outdoor spots in town and surrounding areas. Be prepared for quite a bit of walking, this class is held entirely outdoors.

We'll learn about the tools scientists use in their laboratories, as well as atoms, molecules and reactions, acids and bases, fluorescence and phosphorescence. We'll also examine and investigate super sticky things by exploring suction, hydrogen bonding and static cling. We'll also see some very cool dry ice demonstrations! Continue the science at home with fun labware take-homes and experiments.

Mission:Space: Countdown to LIFTOFF! This week campers will launch into an out-of-this-world adventure filled with cosmic creativity and hands-on discovery. Campers will explore planets, stars, and galaxies through fun experiments, space-themed games, and imaginative challenges. Campers will reach for the stars and let their curiosity soar to infinity and beyond! Theme Day Thursday is "Twin Day". Find a buddy and dress to look like twins.

Junior Ranger Week: Lace up your boots and grab your ranger hat! Campers will explore the wonders of the American National Parks while learning how to protect and care for the natural world. Campers will discover what makes our parks so special while building teamwork, confidence, and a love for the outdoors. Get ready to explore like a ranger and leave only footprints behind! Theme Day Thursday is Color Wars.

Survival Week: Get ready for an adventure! This week, campers become nature explorers as we dive into a week packed with fun, teamwork, and outdoor skills. Kids will learn how to build cozy shelters, follow animal tracks, make nature crafts, and play exciting survival-themed games. Survival Week is an adventure you will not forget. Theme Day Thursday is Hat Day. Wear your favorite hat or your wildest hat.

Mission:Space. Countdown to LIFTOFF! This week campers will launch into an out-of-this-world adventure filled with cosmic creativity and hands-on discovery. Campers will explore planets, stars, and galaxies through fun experiments, space-themed games, and imaginative challenges. Campers will reach for the stars and let their curiosity soar to infinity and beyond! Theme Day Thursday is "Twin Day". Find a buddy and dress to look like twins. Trailblazers Field Trip: CCSU Planetarium.*

Junior Ranger Week: Lace up your boots and grab your ranger hat! Campers will explore the wonders of the American National Parks while learning how to protect and care for the natural world. Campers will discover what makes our parks so special while building teamwork, confidence, and a love for the outdoors. Get ready to explore like a ranger and leave only footprints behind! Theme Day Thursday is Color Wars. Trailblazers Field Trip: Lake Compounce.*

This leadership development experience combines hands-on apprenticeship to teach essential skills like positive camper management, conflict resolution, and activity planning. CITs spend their days shadowing experienced mentors, leading games and songs, and assisting with behind-the-scenes operations. By taking on real responsibility in a supportive environment, participants build the professionalism and confidence necessary for future employment while still enjoying the camaraderie and magic of the summer camp community.

This leadership development experience combines hands-on apprenticeship to teach essential skills like positive camper management, conflict resolution, and activity planning. CITs spend their days shadowing experienced mentors, leading games and songs, and assisting with behind-the-scenes operations. By taking on real responsibility in a supportive environment, participants build the professionalism and confidence necessary for future employment while still enjoying the camaraderie and magic of the summer camp community.

This leadership development experience combines hands-on apprenticeship to teach essential skills like positive camper management, conflict resolution, and activity planning. CITs spend their days shadowing experienced mentors, leading games and songs, and assisting with behind-the-scenes operations. By taking on real responsibility in a supportive environment, participants build the professionalism and confidence necessary for future employment while still enjoying the camaraderie and magic of the summer camp community.

Parent/caregiver and child participate in educational and hands-on activities utilizing curriculum focused on the animals that reside at the EBW Nature Center. Children will compare and contrast their anatomy, habitat and diet to the reptiles, mammals, birds, fish and amphibians at the Nature Center. Activities include literacy, music and art connections as well as outdoor exploration. Circle time and games will help develop social skills and engage curiosity about the natural world. Financial assistance available.

Parent/caregiver and child participate in hands-on activities using nationally recognized curriculum Growing Up Wild. Activities connect young children to nature and expose them to new math and literacy vocabulary. Through music, movement and art, spark creativity and build on a child's natural affinity towards nature. Each activity will have a take home connection which will enable the participant to continue exploring at home. Financial assistance available.

Treat your kids to an unforgettable evening and enjoy a well-deserved night off yourself! Nature Night Out at the Nature Center is a one-of-a-kind adventure designed just for kids ages 4 to12. While parents relax, kids will explore, create, and discover! Kids will go behind the scenes to meet our amazing resident animals from feathered friends to scaly reptiles. Get creative with hands-on nature art projects to take home, and play high-energy, nature-themed games and challenges. It is the perfect mix of fun, learning, and adventure just for kids. Spaces are limited, so sign up today for a wild night out they will never forget and an evening parents will love to.

Ever wondered exactly how hard it is to care for our nature center friends? Each week we will focus on one animal friend and learn what is needed to care for that animal. Cleaning, nutritional needs, enrichment, fun facts and more! Financial Assistance is available.

Adventures in Fall" at Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center provides engaging and educational school vacation experiences. Participants will enjoy themed ecology lessons, art, literacy activities, games, animal encounters, and excursions in Mill Woods Park. Each group is supervised by adult educators and teen assistants.
Creatures of the Night. When the sun goes down and you are heading to bed, a whole new world is just waking up! Join us for an unforgettable school vacation adventure as we explore the lives of nocturnal creatures, the amazing animals that sleep all day and play all night. You will discover how stealthy owls fly in total silence, how clever raccoons use their super-sensitive paws to find snacks in the dark, and how bats use sound to "see" their way through the trees. Through interactive games, cool activities, and hands-on exhibits, you will learn all the incredible superpowers these creatures use to navigate the shadows. Come step into the nighttime forest with us. Financial assistance available.

Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center's "December Vacation Adventures" provides engaging and educational experiences during school breaks. This program includes themed ecology lessons, art and literacy activities, games, animal visits, and outdoor excursions in Mill Woods Park. Each group is led by an adult educator and assistants.
Freeze & Flourish: The Science of Cold.Ever wonder how nature survives when the temperature drops below zero? Campers will dive into the mind-blowing secrets of winter biology and physics! This hands-on program transforms complex science into pure wonder as campers explore how some frogs literally freeze solid only to thaw out perfectly in the spring. Through interactive, chilly experiments, kids will test the insulation power of "blubber" using ice water and discover the hidden world of macroinvertebrates thriving beneath frozen pond ice. By blending outdoor exploration with captivating lab activities, we make evolutionary adaptations feel like real-life superpowers. It will be the ultimate winter break experience for curious minds who love to experiment, explore, and look at the natural world in a whole new way! Financial assistance is available. Financial assistance is available.

Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center's "December Vacation Adventures" provides engaging and educational experiences during school breaks. This program includes themed ecology lessons, art and literacy activities, games, animal visits, and outdoor excursions in Mill Woods Park. Each group is led by an adult educator and assistants.
Freeze & Flourish: The Science of Cold.Ever wonder how nature survives when the temperature drops below zero? Campers will dive into the mind-blowing secrets of winter biology and physics! This hands-on program transforms complex science into pure wonder as campers explore how some frogs literally freeze solid only to thaw out perfectly in the spring. Through interactive, chilly experiments, kids will test the insulation power of "blubber" using ice water and discover the hidden world of macroinvertebrates thriving beneath frozen pond ice. By blending outdoor exploration with captivating lab activities, we make evolutionary adaptations feel like real-life superpowers. It will be the ultimate winter break experience for curious minds who love to experiment, explore, and look at the natural world in a whole new way! Financial assistance is available. Financial assistance is available.

Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center's "December Vacation Adventures" provides engaging and educational experiences during school breaks. This program includes themed ecology lessons, art and literacy activities, games, animal visits, and outdoor excursions in Mill Woods Park. Each group is led by an adult educator and assistants.
Freeze & Flourish: The Science of Cold.Ever wonder how nature survives when the temperature drops below zero? Campers will dive into the mind-blowing secrets of winter biology and physics! This hands-on program transforms complex science into pure wonder as campers explore how some frogs literally freeze solid only to thaw out perfectly in the spring. Through interactive, chilly experiments, kids will test the insulation power of "blubber" using ice water and discover the hidden world of macroinvertebrates thriving beneath frozen pond ice. By blending outdoor exploration with captivating lab activities, we make evolutionary adaptations feel like real-life superpowers. It will be the ultimate winter break experience for curious minds who love to experiment, explore, and look at the natural world in a whole new way! Financial assistance is available. Financial assistance is available.

Parent/caregiver and child participate in educational and hands-on activities utilizing curriculum focused on the animals that reside at the EBW Nature Center. Children will compare and contrast their anatomies, habitats and diet to that of the reptiles, mammals, birds, fish and amphibians at the Nature Center. Activities include literacy, music and art connections as well as outdoor exploration. Circle time and games will help develop social skills and engage curiosity about the natural world. Financial assistance available.

Parent/caregiver and child participate in hands-on activities using nationally recognized curriculum Growing Up Wild. Activities connect young children to nature and expose them to new math and literacy vocabulary. Through music, movement and art, this program will spark creativity and build on a child's natural affinity towards nature. Each activity will have a take home connection which will enable the participant to continue exploring at home. Financial assistance available.

Parents/caregivers and children celebrate the shortest day of the year in anticipation of longer and brighter days to come. Explore the Winter Solstice through crafts, music, movement, stories and games. Make yummy treats for our animal friends during this time when it is hard to find food. Please bring a small snack and dress appropriately for a short outdoor walk.

Parent/caregiver and child learn about wild turkeys through songs, stories, games and crafts. Visit some of our feathered friends at the Nature Center and take an outdoor walk, weather permitting. Bring a snack for story time.

Treat your kids to an unforgettable evening and enjoy a well-deserved night off yourself! Nature Night Out at the Nature Center is a one-of-a-kind adventure designed just for kids ages 4 to12. While parents relax, kids will explore, create, and discover! Kids will go behind the scenes to meet our amazing resident animals from feathered friends to scaly reptiles. Get creative with hands-on nature art projects to take home, and play high-energy, nature-themed games and challenges. It is the perfect mix of fun, learning, and adventure just for kids. Spaces are limited, so sign up today for a wild night out they will never forget and an evening parents will love to.

Make crafts inspired by the beauty of the natural world using many of nature's own art supplies. Financial assistance is available.