Calling all forest friends!

Little explorers and their caregivers are invited to engage in nature-based play, seasonal STEAM activities and crafts, and to meet other families who share a passion for nature! Enjoy storytime, meeting our animal ambassadors, creating nature-themed crafts, and discovering the wonders of the natural world. This program will take place primarily outdoors.

• Ages 1.5 – 5 years, with a caregiver
• Spring Session: April 7 – June 9 (*no program April 21) - Tuesdays, 9:30 – 10:30am
• Summer Session: July 21 - August 25 - Tuesdays, 10:00am -11:00am
• Contact: [email protected]

Join us weekly in the José Carreiro Children’s Garden!

Dig into the soil, create nature-inspired crafts, and enjoy storytime in the newly renovated José Carreiro Children’s Garden. Explore different plants, discover bugs, and learn how flowers and vegetables grow through hands-on play. Perfect for curious kids and their grown-ups to share a morning of outdoor exploration!

• Ages 2-5, with a caregiver
• Session dates:
  • Spring: April 3 – June 12 (*no program April 24) | Fridays 9:30-10:30am
  • Summer: June 17 - August 26 | Wednesdays 10:00-10:45am

Contact: [email protected]

Each week, we’ll dive into a fun and creative art project inspired by nature. From painting and collage to sculpture and printmaking, little artists will explore new materials and techniques in a playful, welcoming environment. Perfect for curious kids and their caregivers who love to make and play. This program will take place primarily outdoors.

Contact: [email protected]

Join an Environmental Educator for Animal Encounters in the newly renovated EcoZone. Enjoy storytime, help feed our animal ambassadors, and explore hands-on creativity and STEM activities at your own pace. Meet our turtles, birds of prey, discover our fascinating natural collections, visit the greenhouse, and experience what makes nature up close!

This is a family-friendly program and may take both indoors and outdoors. Please bring weather appropriate layers!

• Children must be accompanied by a caregiver
• Please reserve a ticket for each attendee (adults and children) and select the total number under “Quantity”

Questions: Email [email protected]

PRIVATE homeschool group. Please contact the Nature Center Director at [email protected] prior to registering.

Note: If your child has a medical condition, allergy, or may require medication while at the program, additional paperwork will be required to complete enrollment.

Kids Nature Night Out!

Give yourself a night off while your kids enjoy an evening of fun and exploration! Kids Nature Night Out offers a safe, engaging environment led by experienced South Shore YMCA Nature Center staff. The evening begins with games, science exploration, crafts, and pizza, followed by animal encounters and a nature-themed movie to wind down the night. Activities will begin outdoors (weather permitting) and then move indoors.

• Grades K - 5 (Ages 5 - 12 years)

• SSYMCA Members: $30/child | Nonmembers: $45/child

• Pre-registration required, no drop-ins

If your child has a special condition or may require medication while at the program, additional paperwork must be completed in order for them to participate.

Note: Any child(ren) attending day camp, must be signed out from camp by an authorized pick-up and signed back in to Kids Nature Night Out.

Questions? [email protected]

Pack a picnic and celebrate the summer harvest in the beautiful José Carreiro Children’s Garden

Join us for a fun and relaxing summer evening in the beautifully renovated Children’s Garden! Bring a picnic dinner, blanket, or lawn chairs, and enjoy a peaceful evening surrounded by nature, family, and community. There will be lawn games, music, garden-fresh produce tastings, hands-on crafts for children and families, opportunities to help feed the chickens, and plenty of old-fashioned outdoor fun!

Take time to explore everything the garden has to offer, from our raised vegetable, herb, and flower beds to our Three Sisters Garden, and pollinator-friendly plantings. Our Environmental Educators will be available to share their passion and expertise about gardening with you!

• Location: South Shore YMCA Nature Center
• Age: All ages – Family Friendly
• Cost: South Shore YMCA Members: $20/family | Non-Members:$30/family (Please note: Register is by family)
• Contact: [email protected]

Upper Camp Ages 7-11 Year Olds, Encompasses Groups: Otters and Coyotes

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

The Otters and Coyotes groups will have the opportunity to canoe on Jacobs Pond once per session.

ALL Upper Camp Groups are FULL DAY camp programs.

Lower Camp Ages 5-6 Year Olds, Encompasses Groups: Raccoons and Owls

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

The Raccoons and Owls groups will have the opportunity to investigate the pond life at Jacobs Pond once per session.

ALL Lower Camp Groups are FULL DAY camp programs.