The 2010 Jr. Nature Explorers schedule has been set! Once again, due to popular demand, we are expanding our offerings of camps and classes. We have added spring classes and camps to choose from on Thursdays and Saturdays, and increased to 11 weeks of summer camps; seven of them for children ages 4-5 and four of them for children ages 6-7.For the first time, we will also be teaching a series of "Fresh from the Garden" cooking/gardening classes for 8-12 year olds! And to top it off, we are beginning a new FREE "Family Nature Explorers" program, with fun classes and walks for parents and children to attend together!
To kick off all its new nature programs, the Community Center is hosting a giant FREE event! 'Celebrate Urban Nature' on Saturday April 10th, from 10:30am-2:00pm
The day begins with a guided Family Wetland Walk from 9:00-10:00am, and then the festivities will begin at the Community Center- tons of fun for adults and children!
Featuring:
- A concert by Caspar Babypants (aka Chris Ballew)!
- Hands-on, interactive nature booths
- LIVE Woodland Park Zoo Raptors
- Nature carnival with prizes!
- NOAA exibit
- Recycled art extravaganza
- And much much more!
1. Spring Classes for Children Ages 4-6
A four-week series of classes filled with outdoor adventures at Magnuson Park! Each week you’ll see something new as nature wakes up and start to grow in the spring, then becomes lush and colorful as spring changes to summer! You’ll see new life unfold each week as you plant an organic food garden and snack on its seedlings, learn about the worms and other “critters” that live beneath our feet, how native plants are used by animals and humans, and see the arrival of tadpoles and migratory birds.
“Spring Fever” class
Thursday April 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th from 10:00-11:30am
Fee $75
“Hello Summer” class
Thursday May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th from 10:00-11:30am
Fee $75
2. Spring Saturday Camp for Ages 4-5
Have fun all month long with camp activities that welcome the warm weather and bright colors of spring. Each week you’ll be amazed to see how plants grow by leaps and bounds, and have fun exploring the park to look for tree frogs and butterflies. Our days will be filled with fun and educational games, songs, and nature crafts. Bring a sack lunch.
“May Flowers” Saturday Camp
Sat. May 8th, 15th, 22nd from 9:30am-12:30pm
Fee $90
3. Spring Saturday Camp for Ages 6-7
Celebrate Earth Day for two weeks with camp activities centered on the plants, animals, and birds of Magnuson Park! Have fun exploring the new Wetlands, and get your knees in the dirt to plant, tend, and eat from our organic vegetable garden. Our days will be filled with fun and educational games, songs, and crafts. Bring a sack lunch.
“Earth Day” Saturday Camp
Sat. April 17th and 24th from 9:30am-12:30pm
Fee $60
4. Fresh-from-the-Garden Camp for Ages 8-12
Fresh-picked vegetables, fruits, and herbs are a tasty treat, and lots of fun to grow in our organic p-patch garden at Magnuson Park! Have fun harvesting nature’s bounty, planting additional crops, and preparing a delicious lunch using seasonal ingredients. Each camper can invite a guest for the shared meal, and each camp will feature an entirely different menu, take-home recipes, and food-growing tips to try at home. Sign up for one or several! Fee: $30
“Spring Bling” Fri. June 11th 10:00am-1:00pm
“Summer Fun” Fri. July 30st 10:00am-1:00pm
“Marvelous Harvest” Fri. Aug 27th 10:00am-1:00pm
5. Jr. Nature Explorers Camps for Ages 4-5
Learn about the plants, animals, birds, worms, insects, and frogs that live in Magnuson Park, help grow and harvest organic vegetables, and hike to nearby natural areas in the park. Each day includes nature crafts, songs, games, and picnics. Camp fee includes an official Jr. Nature Explorer bandana, and each camp has a different theme and activities- sign up for one or several! Bring a sack lunch. All camps are from 9:30am-12:30pm. Fee: $90
Wiggly World of Worms June 21-23
Roots and Shoots July 5-7
Winged Wonders July 12-14
Beetles on Parade July 19-21
Pollinator Power Aug 2-4
The World of Water Aug 16-18
Flower and Fruits Aug 30-Sept 1
6. Nature Explorers Camps for Ages 6-7
Due to popular demand, we’ve expanded to 4 camps for the older nature explorer this year, each filled with fun. Help grow and harvest organic vegetables, build nature forts, and follow butterflies and grasshoppers to explore the places that plants, animals, birds, worms, and frogs call home. Each day includes nature crafts, songs, games, and picnics. Camp fee includes an official Nature Explorer bandana, and each camp has a different theme and activities- sign up for one or several! Bring a sack lunch. All camps are from 9:30am-12:30pm. Fee: $90
Wiggly World of Worms June 27-29
Beetles on Parade July 26-28
World of Water Aug 9-11
Roots, Shoots,
Flowers, and Fruits Aug 23-25
For a detailed description of the activities in each individual summer camp, please visit the May 2009 postings. See you in the park!
Magnuson Park is a proud participant in the annual National Environmental Education Week, which will be held this year on April 11th-17th. The Magnuson Community Center, Children's Garden, and Bird-Friendly Landscape will host 4 educational events that week for school-age children!
For more info on National Environmental Education Week, visit http://www.eeweek.org
