Castle Hill Fire Pit Adventure
Get the kids outdoors with a Fire Pit Adventure during school vacation! Do our family treasure hunt and explore the grounds and then relax around a campfire.
Get the kids outdoors with a Fire Pit Adventure during school vacation! Do our family treasure hunt and explore the grounds and then relax around a campfire.
Healthy Kids Day is the Y’s national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids and families. This year marks 30 Years of Celebrating Healthy Kids at the Y—that’s 30 years of highlighting how the Y helps build healthy, resilient kids through physical activity, nutritious foods, learning opportunities and more. The day-long event is celebrated by more than 1.2 million participants nationwide. YMCAs across the country host free community events aimed to inspire kids to keep their minds and bodies active throughout the summer months.
The ultimate summer adventure meets spring break! Join us during school break for a special half-day drop-off program for children ages 7-14, full of outdoor adventure, environmental science, team-building, and crafts! Campers should come with a water bottle, outdoor clothes, a packed lunch and a spirit of adventure!
Take a deep breath and thank the trees! Families are invited to join us for a celebration of all things arboreal, on a guided hike through the Castle hill grounds, woodland trails, and pine grove, while learning all about both the natural and non-native/introduced trees living here. Participants will use all five senses to meet a tree; learn to ID trees via their leaves, bark, and seeds; discover unique adaptations for survival; and gain an expanded appreciation for all the benefits and ecosystem services that trees provide.
Have you ever felt intimidated by the idea of a birding walk or felt like you didn’t know enough or know how to get started? Then this program is for you. Join Appleton staff for a fun and no-pressure birding walk designed for beginners with little to no experience. We will walk the property together and look for our fine feathered friends who live all around us. Field guides will be provided and we’ll try to get a good look and see if we can identify the birds we discover. Please bring your own binoculars.
In the spring, the farmers at Appleton are busy planting vegetables and caring for the new life on the farm. There is no better place to spend spring farm days than in exploring in the fields & forests and learning to love the outdoors in all seasons! This program is for kids who are looking to make friends, explore the farm, and learn about life in New England in spring. Every day will include an outdoor adventure of hiking, a theme-based craft, a farm learning activity, and other farm explorations.
The beach is much more than just sand! On this family education program, participants will learn about the diverse habitats of the sandy beach and dunes. Learners discover shells, seaweed, plants, animal tracks, and other signs of life on the beach and in the dunes, get an up-close look at sand to explore its composition and how it formed, and use scientific tools to measure the ever-changing shape of the beach. Learn how The Trustees are managing and protecting our ever-changing coast, and how you can play a role!
As you explore the beach, what do you notice that doesn’t belong? Marine debris impacts beaches and marine life worldwide, so what can we do about it? Join this program to learn about types, sources, and impacts of marine debris, observe microplastics, and learn how scientists and community members (like you!) are studying marine debris and taking action to tackle the issue of trash in our fragile marine environments.
Join us in making a pie together in celebration of Strawberry and Rhubarb season. Students will learn how to make flaky, all butter pie crust and the best way to highlight the prominent fruits of the month. This class will lead participants through arranging a lattice top and will include tips and tricks to make your pie a show stopper at your next pot luck! Class will end with enjoying a slice of pie together and students will be sent home with a full pie.
Spring is a time of renewal and excitement at Appleton Farms! Join us to celebrate, explore, and engage with our animals and gardens as you “hop” along the farmyard to different interactive learning stations. From planting seeds into soil pots, transplanting seedlings into the ground, feeding our Angora bunnies, felting small eggs, and brushing the goats, your child will be immersed in the Springtime activities of the farm. Collect an egg stamp at each station and take your fully-stamped Trail Hop “passport” to the Farmhouse Cafe to collect your special treat!