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Date: 12/27/2021
EASTHAMPTON – Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton is spearheading a Homeschool Nature Club for ages 6 to 11 that will run across four sessions at the end of January and early February 2022.
During this time period, homeschoolers ages 6 to 11 will search along the river, through the woods, and in the fields of the sanctuary for signs of winter wildlife, according to Laura Beltran, a teacher-naturalist at the west region of Mass Audubon who is instructing this course.
The specific dates for the four classes are Jan. 19 and 26 and Feb. 2 and 9, 2022. All four classes run from 1 to 3 p.m. at Arcadia.
“We will focus on a different group of local wild mammals, their natural history, their adaptations for being active during the winter season, and finding clues they leave behind, like tracks,” said Beltran. Additionally, students will go on hikes to different parts of Arcadia, play games, and participate in other hands-on outdoor exploratory activities to learn about winter wildlife.
The classes are entirely outdoors, so Arcadia encourages everyone to wear layers and winter footwear. Masks will also be required for this program, and there is a nonrefundable $50 deposit to register for this series and the balance is due by Jan. 2.
According to Beltran, the event is limited to 10 students, and she expects that seven to 10 will turn out for the classes.
“Nurturing a young person’s interest and curiosity in the natural world is important in creating the building blocks of critical and scientific thinking later in life,” said Beltran, when speaking on the importance of these classes.
People can learn more about the classes and how to register through this link: https://www.massaudubon.org/program-catalog/arcadia/80492-homeschool-nature-club-winter-tracking. The price is $120 for members and $145 for non-members.