YOUTH PROGRAMS
Upcoming Events
Storytime in the Understory
Mondays, March 27; April 10 (bilingual!) & 24; May 8 and 22 | 11 AM - 11:30 AM
Saturday, May 6 at 10 a.m. in partnership with Massanutten Regional Library
Free, Register here.
Pre-School - Elementary suggested
Bring a blanket and come enjoy 30 minutes of nature-themed reading. We will meet in the At Home in the Woods Family Garden in our new Storytime area!
In inclement weather, we will meet inside the Frances Plecker Education Center with the exception of the May 6 event.
Fairy House/Gnome Home Building
Thursday, April 6 at 12 p.m.
Saturday, May 6 at 11 a.m.
Wednesday, May 10 at 12 p.m.
Free, Register here.
Pre-School - Elementary suggested
We will meet in Fairy World in the At Home in the Woods Family Garden to explore the magic and wonder of the outdoors with a story together, then have free space to build a habitat out of found natural materials for our fairy and gnome friends!
Nature Study Series: Explore the Flora
Tuesdays, March 14 & 28; April 11 & 25; May 9 & 23 | Time: 4:00PM - 4:45PM
All Ages Welcome
Has wonder and curiosity about the natural world ever made you stop and look a little closer? What’s that called? How does it grow? Getting to know our flora is a rewarding life-long skill that just takes a little effort to cultivate. Drop in for our free nature study series for families: we’ll meet at the arboretum pavilion, take a short nature walk through the Arboretum, then hone in for a close look at one of our native plants! We will make careful observations, learn some facts and lore, and do a little relaxed sketching. Bring a notebook or paper and some colored pencils, but we’ll have extras on hand. Registration requested but not required. Rain or shine.
Register here: Nature Study Series Registration
Past Winter Youth Programs
Poet's Nature Walk and Writing Workshop
For Elementary Age Explorers and Older; Grown-Ups Welcome too
Saturday, March 4 | 2PM - 3:30PM
Free, Register here: Poet's Nature Walk Registration
Take the upland trail The urban woods live
Use your imagination Nature speaks to me today
Write for fun with us As for the first time
We’ll learn together how to think and look a little differently at the world around us and practice turning that experience into poems. No real secrets here, just an opportunity to slow down and wonder, then let that feeling bubble up for sharing with others!
Art in the Arboretum: Forest Paintings Inspired by Emily Carr
For Elementary Age Explorers and Older
Saturday, March 4 | 12PM
Free, Register here: Forest Paintings Registration
Join us on the Tree Terrace as we take a look at how artist Emily Carr tried to capture nature’s movement on paper—then make our own art! Supplies provided, and we’ll be following the lesson make from the blog paintedpaperart.com.
Bilingual Winter Storytime
Thursday, Feb. 23 at 1 PM
Free; register here: Bilingual Winter Storytime
Pre-School - Elementary suggested
¡Únase a nosotros en el Centro de Educación Frances Plecker para una hora de cuentos para niños de preescolar bilingüe con cuentos, actividades y chocolate caliente! -- Join us at the Frances Plecker Education Center for a bilingual preschool story time with stories, activities, and hot chocolate!
Wondercraft: Snowflakes
For Elementary and Up on a Day Off School (HCPS)!
Tuesday, Jan. 24 | 1PM
Free, Register here: Snowflakes Registration
We’ll meet in the Frances Plecker Education Center to share the true story of Snowflake Bentley and take a closer look at the fascinating structure of snow. Then we’ll enjoy making our own paper snowflakes to brighten up a winter wonderland. Whether you’re a beginner or have made entire blizzards before, we’ll have suggestions and instructions to step up your paper snowflake skills!
Great Backyard Bird Count Activity Series, Feb. 17-20
Participate in this year's Great Backyard Bird Count at the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum! We have prepared a slate of programs for adults and for families to assist you in learning about and enjoying our local birds. For more information on the Great Backyard Bird Count, visit www.birdcount.org.
Feathers
For preschoolers
Thurdsay, Feb. 16 at 10 AM
Free, Register here: Feathers Registration
Join us at the Frances Plecker Education Center to explore feathers and identify a few birds from their feather color. Participants will also enjoy some feather painting.
Birding 101 for Kids
Monday, Feb. 20 at 3 PM
Free, Register here: Birding 101 Registration
Virginia Master Naturalists and Rockingham Bird Club members Sharon and Jay Landis will introduce elementary-aged youth to the fun of birding. We'll play a bird picture/facts matching game, learn how to look and listen for birds and how to use binoculars, discover some great technology tools to help in our birding. Then we'll go birding out in the Arboretum and tally our discoveries for the Great Backyard Bird Count!
Check out our Great Backyard Bird Count programs for adults here.
Contact Katie Rankin at rankinkt@jmu.edu for more information about youth programs at the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum.
The Backpack Program
Pre-School - Elementary
Explore the Arboretum with themed activities! This program is FREE. Backpacks are located in the lobby of the Frances Plecker Education Center, Monday - Friday (8 AM - 5 PM)
How it Works
1. Sign out a backpack of your choice:
- Reptiles & Amphibians
- Flowers
- Exploring Trees
- Forest Mammals
- Butterflies
- Insects
- Macroinvertebrate Study
3. Enjoy the backpack's activities and adventure onward!
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
(540)-568-3194 | ejcarboretum@jmu.edu
Frances Plecker Education Center | Monday - Friday | 8 AM - 4 PM
