Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Dress for the outdoors in all seasons. We can’t wait to see you at the Nature Center!
Trail Trekkers
Preschool Trail Trekkers takes children and their adults on learning adventures with experienced naturalists. Hands-on activities, games, crafts, stories and songs make learning about nature interactive and fun. This program is for children ages three through five and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Dress for the outdoors in all seasons. Registration required.
Note: This program is NOT intended for daycare or childcare groups! These groups should inquire about scheduling private preschool programming. Thank you!
2022-2023 Programming
Sponsored by:
IELS: 8.3 Small Motor Movement, 9.1 Curiosity and Initiative, 9.4 Play and Senses, 10.3 Relationships with Adults, 10.4 Relationships with Children, 11.1 Language Understanding and Use, 12.3 Shapes and Spatial Reasoning, 12.4 Scientific Reasoning, 13.2 Music, Rhythm, and Movement,13.3 Dramatic Play, 14.3 Awareness of the Relationship between People and the Environment in which They Live
Honey is a sweet treat that the bees work all summer to make. Get to know the drone, worker, and queen bee. How do bees find nectar? How do they communicate with each other? Play a buzzing bee game.
For preschoolers with adult. Dress for outdoor activities.
*Meet at the Penningroth Barn (6665 Otis Rd SE).
Cost: Preschooler $5 (ages 3-5); Siblings (ages 0-2); Adults are free
IELS: 9.1 Curiosity and Initiative, 9.4 Play and Senses, 10.3 Relationships with Adults, 10.4 Relationships with Children, 11.1 Language Understanding and Use, 11.2 Early Literacy, 12.4 Scientific Reasoning, 13.2 Music, Rhythm, and Movement, 13.3 Dramatic Play, 14.3 Awareness of the Relationship between People and the Environment in which They Live
Discover the many good things bats do for us. Where do they live? What do they eat? How do these flying mammals hunt? Listen to a story and play a bat game.
For preschoolers with adult. Dress for outdoor activities.
*Meet at the Penningroth Barn (6665 Otis Rd SE)
Cost: Preschooler $5 (ages 3-5); Siblings (ages 0-2); Adults are free
IELS: 8.2 Large Motor Development, 8.3 Small Motor Development, 9.1 Curiosity and Initiative, 9.2 Engagement and Persistence, 9.3 Reasoning and Problem Solving, 9.4 Play and Senses, 10.3 Relationships with Adults, 10.4 Relationships with Children, 11.2 Early Literacy, 12.4 Scientific Reasoning, 12.5 Scientific Investigations and Problem Solving
Hibernation, migration, and adaptation are the words of the day as we explore what different creatures do to get ready for winter! We’ll play animal games to see how well you can hibernate, and see who we can find still active outside.
For preschoolers with adult. Dress for outdoor activities.
Cost: Preschooler $5 (ages 3-5); Siblings (ages 0-2); Adults are free
IELS: 8.2 Large Motor Development, 9.1 Curiosity and Initiative, 9.2 Engagement and Persistence, 10.3 Relationships with Adults, 10.4 Relationships with Children, 11.1 Language Understanding and Use, 11.2 Early Literacy, 12.4 Scientific Reasoning
Explore stars and constellations without having to leave Earth. Listen to and become a part of constellation stories and create your own.
For preschoolers with adult. Dress for outdoor activities.
Cost: Preschooler $5 (ages 3-5); Siblings (ages 0-2); Adults are free
IELS: 8.2 Large Motor Development, 8.3 Small Motor Development, 9.1 Curiosity and Initiative, 9.2 Engagement and Persistence, 9.3 Reasoning and Problem Solving, 9.4 Play and Senses, 10.3 Relationships with Adults, 10.4 Relationships with Children, 11.2 Early Literacy, 12.4 Scientific Reasoning, 12.5 Scientific Investigations and Problem Solving
Investigate the wonders of water—snow and ice—in the winter. How does snow actually help plants and animals? Make sure to dress for the weather as we plan to spend time outside enjoying this beautiful season.
For preschoolers with adult. Dress for outdoor activities.
Cost: Preschooler $5 (ages 3-5); Siblings (ages 0-2); Adults are free
IELS:8.3 Small Motor Movement, 9.1 Curiosity and Initiative, 9.4 Play and Senses, 10.3 Relationships with Adults, 10.4 Relationships with Children, 11.1 Language Understanding and Use, 12.4 Scientific Reasoning, 12.6 Measurement, 13.2 Music, Rhythm, and Movement, 14.3 Awareness of the Relationship between People and the Environment in which They Live
Explore the fascinating world of our feathered friends and go bird watching with a naturalist. Take a peek at our collection of bird nests and colorful feathers while you learn about their songs, characteristics and habitats.
For preschoolers with adult. Dress for outdoor activities.
Cost: Preschooler $5 (ages 3-5); Siblings (ages 0-2); Adults are free
IELS: 8.2 Large Motor Development, 8.3 Small Motor Development, 9.1 Curiosity and Initiative, 9.2 Engagement and Persistence, 9.4 Play and Senses, 10.3 Relationships with Adults, 10.4 Relationships with Children, 11.2 Early Literacy, 12.1 Comparison and Number, 12.3 Shapes and Spatial Reasoning, 12.4 Scientific Reasoning, 12.5 Scientific Investigations and Problem Solving, 14.1 Awareness of Family and Community, 14.2 Awareness of Culture, 14.3 Awareness of the Relationship between People and the Environment in which they live, 14.4 Awareness of Past
This unique, fun activity can only be experienced in late winter! Listen to Native American legends, tap a tree, and visit the sugarhouse to see how sap is made into delicious maple syrup. The hour ends with a taste of our real maple syrup!
For preschoolers with adult. Dress for outdoor activities.
*Meet at the Penningroth Barn (6665 Otis Rd SE)
Cost: Preschooler $5 (ages 3-5); Siblings (ages 0-2); Adults $5
IELS: 8.2 Large Motor Development, 8.3 Small Motor Development, 9.1 Curiosity and Initiative, 9.2 Engagement and Persistence, 9.4 Play and Senses, 10.3 Relationships with Adults, 10.4 Relationships with Children, 9.3 Reasoning and Problem Solving, 12.1 Comparison and Number, 12.2 Patterns, 12.4 Scientific Reasoning, 12.5 Scientific Investigations and Problem Solving
Find out interesting facts about these backyard creatures and what helps them survive in the wild. What makes their teeth so special? Act out the many ways a squirrel can use its tail.
For preschoolers with adult. Dress for outdoor activities.
Cost: Preschooler $5 (ages 3-5); Siblings (ages 0-2); Adults are free
IELS: 8.2 Large Motor Development, 8.3 Small Motor Development, 9.1 Curiosity and Initiative, 9.2 Engagement and Persistence, 9.4 Play and Senses, 10.3 Relationships with Adults, 10.4 Relationships with Children, 11.2 Early Literacy, 12.1 Comparison and Number, 12.4 Scientific Reasoning, 12.5 Scientific Investigations and Problem Solving, 13.2 Music, Rhythm, and Movement
As the weather warms up, so does the frog chorus! Listen for frogs at the wetlands. Learn about the frog life cycle and special frog features, sing frog songs, and go on a frog watching hike.
For preschoolers with adult. Dress for outdoor activities.
Cost: Preschooler $5 (ages 3-5); Siblings (ages 0-2); Adults are free