Fun for Kids and Families
Cupid's Valentine Centerpiece | Plant Propagation for Kids
Junior Naturalists | Bamboo Forest for Kids
Live Reptile Program | Creating a Dragon | Lenape Life
Cub Scout Badge | Children’s Writing
Nature in Your Neighborhood | Orienteering
Mother’s Day Wreath | Forest Bingo
| Febuary 9 |
Cupid’s Valentine Centerpiece
Saturday, February 9
1 – 3 p.m. FULL!
Cheryl Wilks - Floral Educator and Owner of “Flowers on Location”
Learn all about fresh flowers and how to arrange them. Kids from 5 to 12 years old are invited for a fun, creative workshop to make a beautiful centerpiece for the table or give as a gift. Everything included, even the
hugs and kisses ... oxoxoxo. Bring a box to take home your arrangement.
Members: $30
Non-members: $32
Call to register for classes (215) 247-5777 ext 156 or 125 |
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| March 16 |
Plant Propagation for Kids
Sunday, March 16
1:30 – 3 p.m.
Michelle Conners - Curatorial Assistant, Morris Arboretum
Plants are cool and making more of them is exciting. Learn techniques you can use at home to start a plant collection or increase the one you already have. You can give plants to friends, use them outdoors in planters or they can add oxygen to your room. We will concentrate on a variety of houseplants. You’ll have a chance to propagate plants yourself and you’ll get plants to take home.
Members: $15
Non-members: $18
Call to register for classes (215) 247-5777 ext 156 or 125 |
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| March 29 |
Junior Naturalists Program: Observing the World in Spring
4 Saturdays in different locations:
March 29, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
April 26, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
May 17, 8 – 10:30 a.m.
June 14, 8 – 10:30 a.m.
Ruth Pfeffer, Expert Birder
Ann Rhoads, Senior Botanist at the Morris Arboretum
If you enjoy being outdoors observing and learning about the natural world, this program is for you. It will give you hands-on outdoor
experiences and increase your understanding of the natural world. You will learn about birds, plants, amphibians and insects, observe
them in their natural habitats and learn about what they need to survive. These popular expert instructors will help you identify species, sharpen your observation skills and make it fun to learn. You will receive a
journal and get tips for recording what you see so that you develop a record that becomes more meaningful over time. This program is
designed for kids 10 to 14 years old. Please bring binoculars if you have them. The cost of the course includes a journal and hand lens.
The course meets once a month during the spring. The first meeting is at the Arboretum.
Subsequent sessions will meet at different
locations.
Four Saturdays:
March 29, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
The Morris Arboretum
April 26, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Shelly Ridge Day Camp
May 17, 8 – 10:30 a.m.
Andorra Natural Area, Fairmount Park
June 14, 8 – 10:30 a.m.
Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust
Members: $64
Non-members: $72
Call to register for classes (215) 247-5777 ext 156 or 125
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| March 30 |
Painting the Bamboo Forest for Kids
Sunday, March 30
1 – 2:30 p.m.
Allison Zito - Artist and Teacher, Harcum College
Children will enjoy making graceful and elegant Japanese ink paintings. We will use traditional bamboo brushes and learn the basic brush strokes necessary to create our own bamboo forest painting. Using shades of gray to deepest black, our bamboo forests will emerge in the free spirit of sumi-e. Sumi-e paintings are done in black, white and the five shades of gray. Japanese call them the seven“colors.” This style of monochromatic simplistic painting was adopted from Chinese calligraphy. The point of this painting technique is to produce an impression of the subject from memory. This class is intended for those seven years and older.
Members: $16
Non-members: $18
Call to register for classes (215) 247-5777 ext 156 or 125 |
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| April 5 |
Turtles and Lizards and Snakes, Oh My! A Live
Reptile Program
Saturday, April 5
1 – 3 p.m.
Irene Safren - Naturalist, Churchville Nature Center and the Eagles Mere Conservancy
Join us for an exciting intergenerational program for all ages. Come meet a variety of reptiles and learn about these often misunderstood but beneficial animals. The cast of characters will include a bearded
dragon and blue tongued skink lizard, both from Australia; a variety of snakes both small and large, and a local turtle that is now a species of special concern and federally protected. Bring a camera if you would like a picture taken with one of our reptilian guests. After the live animal program there will be a craft activity for those who would like to take
home their own non-living reptile. Please register by March 29 for this program.
Members: $12
Non-members: $15
Call to register for classes (215) 247-5777 ext 156 or 125 |
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| April 13 |
Creating an Asian Dragon
Sunday, April 13
1 – 2:15 p.m.
Allison Zito - Artist/Teacher, Harcum College
The dragon in Japan and China is a friendly symbol of good luck, not the scary creature of Medieval Europe. Children will learn a bit of Asian dragon folklore while they create their own colorful animated dragon toys to take home. Children will color, glue and assemble their paper dragon and add arms, hands and a tail. Ideal for ages 3 to 7. All materials are
provided.
Members: $16
Non-members: $18
Call to register for classes (215) 247-5777 ext 156 or 125 |
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| April 13 |
Lenape Life: A Journey Back in Time
Sunday, April 13
1 – 3 p.m.
Irene Safren - Naturalist, Churchville Nature Center and the Eagles Mere Conservancy
In this hands-on, intergenerational program for all ages you will learn about the original inhabitants of this area before the coming of the European settlers. Try your hand at pottery, making pinch pots and other small items using natural clay. You will learn to make rope and other “cordage” using the basic method still in practice today. The pottery and
cordage will be yours to take home. A fire bow, spindle and fireboard will be available for those who would like to try out their fire making skills (no matches allowed!). Join in a variety of Lenape games and enjoy some Native American storytelling – a few “scary” ones guaranteed. Learn about some of the animals they hunted and some of the great variety of plants used for food, medicine and shelter.
Members: $16
Non-members: $18
Call to register for classes (215) 247-5777 ext 156 or 125 |
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| April 26 |
Cub Scout Badge: Forester Requirements
Saturday, April 26
1 – 3 p.m.
Tom Reeves - Past President Valley Forge Audubon Society and Volunteer Guide, Tyler Arboretum
Learn about the importance of trees and forests in this class especially designed for Webelo Cub Scouts. It will focus on the Forester Badge requirements. Scouts will participate in a variety of activities to help them learn to identify trees and plants found in our forests. They will draw pictures showing the layers of the forest and learn how to tell a tree’s age by examining tree rings. Discussion about tree care and planting and the best kinds of trees to plant in urban and suburban areas will also be included.
Members: $12
Non-members: $15
Call to register for classes (215) 247-5777 ext 156 or 125 |
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| May 3 |
Odes and Toads: Children’s Writing in Springtime
Saturday, May 3
10 a.m. – 12 noon
Andrea Ross - Poet and Essayist
It’s time to get out and explore the Arboretum! What is blooming? Who is hiding under the wet sticks? In this two-hour writing workshop, join naturalist and writer Andrea Ross for a fun exploration of nature and creative writing. This two-hour-long class is ideal for children ages 6 to 12 years
old. Parents or caregivers will accompany their children.
Members: $12
Non-members: $15
Call to register for classes (215) 247-5777 ext 156 or 125 |
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| May 4 |
Nature in Your Neighborhood
Sunday, May 4
1 – 2 p.m.
Pam Newitt - Nature Educator, Nature by the Yard
Your own back yard is a great place to observe nature. Learn about the kinds of animals you can find in your neighborhood, the skills you need to spot them, and safe ways to observe them. Pam will introduce you to some real critters including turtles, lizards, and a variety of insects. She will discuss how animals help to disperse and pollinate plants and how they depend on plants to live. She will use skins, skulls, feathers and other animal and plant artifacts to give the students an authentic, memorable and educational experience. The program begins with a classroom presentation, and then, weather permitting, we will head
outdoors to explore and discover. This program is for ages 4 to 7 years old.
Members: $12
Non-members: $14
Call to register for classes (215) 247-5777 ext 156 or 125 |
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| May 10 |
Orienteering at the Arboretum
Saturday, May 10
10 a.m. – 12 noon
Mark Frank - Delaware Valley Orienteering Association
Join enthusiast Mark Frank for an introduction to orienteering. Orienteering is the skill that allows you to find your way between specified points through unknown terrain by using a detailed map. It has been dubbed “the thinking sport” because of the combination of three-dimensional thinking, navigating (either by walking or running), and
concentration. If you enjoy a challenge, this is the sport for you! We will start inside learning the basics, then go outside to try them out!
Come dressed for the weather and for a walk around the Arboretum. This class is for ages 8 years old and up. Dress for the weather.
Members: $12
Non-members: $15
Call to register for classes (215) 247-5777 ext 156 or 125 |
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| May 10 |
Mother’s Day Wreath Workshop
Saturday, May 10
10 a.m. – 12 noon
Cheryl Wilks - Floral Educator and Owner of“Flowers on Location”
Make mom/grandma a keepsake wreath that she’ll be able to treasure for years. There will be lots of flowers, ribbons, accessories and more to design a one-of-a-kind personalized masterpiece. This workshop, designed for 5 to 12 years old, is guaranteed to ignite their creativity and make it fun to learn about the elements of design. All materials are included.
Members: $30
Non-members: $32
Call to register for classes (215) 247-5777 ext 156 or 125 |
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| May 10 |
Forest Bingo, Turtle Races and Other Adventures
Saturday, May 10
1 – 3 p.m.
Irene Safren - Naturalist, Churchville Nature Center and the Eagles Mere Conservancy
A variety of fun activities will take us throughout the Arboretum at a beautiful time of year. Activities include a scavenger hunt to find natural treasures and a game of forest bingo where the shapes you discover in nature become your bingo sheet. You will explore different habitats to find suitable animal homes and we’ll get a close up look at some
intriguing critters under the microscope. You'll create a turtle with materials that will be supplied then we’ll hold turtle races to see
whose creation is the speediest. Come join us for this fun and creative exploration of the natural world. This is an intergenerational program designed for all ages.
Members: $16
Non-members: $18
Call to register for classes (215) 247-5777 ext 156 or 125 |
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