Tuesdays, March 25 - April 29, 2024 | 9:30 - 10:30am

*Please note there will be no program on Tuesday, April 22.*

Ages: 15 months to 4 years, with a caregiver

Join us for a 6-week “Forest Friends” Nature Playgroup, a program designed for families with young children to explore and connect with the natural world! Children and caregivers will engage in free play, stories, and songs. Participants will discover the wonders of the natural world and leave with new knowledge, friendships, and a deeper appreciation for the environment. This program will meet primarily outdoors, so please come dressed in layers for the weather.

What to Expect:

Free Play Discovery: Children will have the freedom to explore various nature-themed play stations, encouraging curiosity and imaginative play. They'll discover natural materials, climb, dig, and create.

Seasonal Activities & Crafts: Each week, we will introduce a new seasonal activity or craft related to the natural world. From leaf printing to building mini habitats, these hands-on projects will foster creativity and deepen children's connection to nature.

Family Connection: Meet and socialize with other families who share a passion for the nature.

Ask an Expert: An Environmental Educator will be on hand to help your little ones foster a love of nature.

Questions? Email: skugel@ssymca.org
 

Tuesdays, March 25 - April 29, 2025 | 9:30 - 10:30am

*Please note there will be no program on Tuesday, April 22.*

Ages: 15 months to 4 years, with a caregiver

Join us for a 6-week “Forest Friends” Nature Playgroup, a program designed for families with young children to explore and connect with the natural world! Children and caregivers will engage in free play, stories, and songs. Participants will discover the wonders of the natural world and leave with new knowledge, friendships, and a deeper appreciation for the environment. This program will meet primarily outdoors, so please come dressed in layers for the weather.

What to Expect:

Free Play Discovery: Children will have the freedom to explore various nature-themed play stations, encouraging curiosity and imaginative play. They'll discover natural materials, climb, dig, and create.

Seasonal Activities & Crafts: Each week, we will introduce a new seasonal activity or craft related to the natural world. From leaf printing to building mini habitats, these hands-on projects will foster creativity and deepen children's connection to nature.

Family Connection: Meet and socialize with other families who share a passion for the nature.

Ask an Expert: An Environmental Educator will be on hand to help your little ones foster a love of nature.

Questions? Email: skugel@ssymca.org

SESSION 1: Feb 4 - March 18 | Tuesdays, 9:30 - 10:30am | PRIMARILY INDOORS - No program Tues, Feb 18

SESSION 2: March 25 - April 29 | Tuesdays, 9:30 - 10:30am | PRIMARILY OUTDOORS

SESSION 3: May 6 - June 10  | Tuesdays, 9:30 - 10:30am | PRIMARILY OUTDOORS

Join us for a 6-week “Forest Friends” Nature Playgroup, a program designed for families with young children to explore and connect with the natural world! Children and caregivers will engage in free play, discover the wonders of the natural world, and unleash their creativity through seasonal activities, stories, and songs with our Environmental Educators. Your little explorers will leave with new knowledge, friendships, and a deeper appreciation for the environment.

SESSION 1 will meet meet primarily indoors, but please bring layers (snowpants, jacket, hat, mittens, boots). On warmer winter days, we may head outdoors for the last portion of the program to play in the snow, visit our chickens, hawk, and owl, or to enjoy a short winter walk. 

SESSIONS 2 & 3 will meet primarily outdoors. Please dress for the weather.

Sign up for 1, 2, or 3 sessions | Questions? Email: skugel@ssymca.org

*Children must be accompanied by a caregiver.*

Come explore the EcoZone Museum and stay for storytime with an Environmental Educator! The EcoZone at the South Shore YMCA Nature Center features rotating environmental exhibits and seasonal childrens' activities. Children will love the turtles, fish, carnivorous plants, scavenger hunts, and more! EcoZone Exploration is from 9:30-10:30am, allowing for exploration at your own pace. An Environmental Educator will lead storytime at 10:00 AM.

• Please register each child attending.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
• Questions: Email skugel@ssymca.org
• South Shore YMCA Nature Center: 48 Jacobs Lane, Norwell, MA

City Nature Challenge: iNaturalist Guided Walk 

South Shore YMCA Nature Center  

Saturday, April 26th 2:30-3:30pm 

Ages: All ages - Family Friendly 

The City Nature Challenge is a 4-day event of friendly competition where cities all over the world work together towards the same goal, understanding biodiversity and helping further scientific research! Join us to help the Boston area get more observations and learn about what species call this area home.  

During this walk we will learn all about biodiversity, how to take good observations using the iNaturalist app, and the importance of participatory science.  

Please download the iNaturalist app and create an account, we will be using this app to record observations.  

This program will be held outside, please dress for the weather. This will be a 45-minute walk with plenty of stops.  

The program may be cancelled due to inclement weather.

Encompasses Groups: Otters and Coyotes

Our upper camp campers investigate nature and science-based themes through hands-on, age-appropriate curriculum including live animal encounters, team building games and activities, nature hikes, experimentation, and crafting.

Please note that Otters (Campers Aged 7 to 8) and Coyotes (Campers Aged 9 to 11) are full-day camps.

The Otters (Campers Aged 7 to 8) and Coyotes (Campers Aged 9 to 11) groups will have the opportunity to canoe on Jacobs Pond once per session.

Encompasses Groups: Raccoons and Owls

Our lower camp campers investigate nature and science-based themes through hands-on, age-appropriate, curriculum which includes live animal encounters, team building games and activities, nature hikes, experimentation, and crafting.

Please note that Raccoons (Campers Aged 5) and Owls (Campers Aged 6) are full-day camps.

Encompasses Groups: Tadpoles (Age 3 Campers) and Chipmunks (Age 4-5 Campers)

The youngest campers discover the wonders of the natural world through age-appropriate hands-on activities, including nature walks, stories, crafts, music, and meeting live animals.

These young campers use their senses to participate in activities which encourage sharing, learning together, and being a friend to nature.

Please note Tadpoles (Campers Age 3) and Chipmunks (Campers Age 4-5) are half-day camps.

Join us at Nature Adventures Camp to learn basic animal care skills and explore the world of veterinary science.

Campers will interact with animals who call the Nature Center home to learn about anatomy, gain important observational skills, and learn how to use various scientific tools!

Vet camp will take trips to Jacobs Pond, explore the Nature Center campus, and feed the animals who live in the Ecozone.

We may even get a special visit from real life, expert vets and animal care professionals.

Please note Vet Camp Age 5 is a full day program!