Hike

Adults and children can spend quality family time in the great outdoors finding, observing, and admiring local wildlife. Each program begins at Joppa Flats Education Center with a brief introduction to our theme via slide shows, group activities, or an in-class demonstration.

The elusive fairies and gnomes who live in our forest are sometimes too busy to build their own homes. Let's help them out. But first, we'll learn about these mysterious and magical creatures. We'll play games, create fairy and gnome art, and then hike to the Hemlock Forest where we will design the homes. When we return as twilight is descending, we'll have hot cocoa and cookies to reward ourselves for doing a good deed. We'll sit by the woodstove to enjoy our treats and listen to a story about fairies and gnomes.

In every kind of weather, our favorite thing is to head outdoors to our spectacular local habitats! Join Joppa Flats Education Center on a nature exploration that will focus on the importance of a sense of place as we explore the ecology, sights, and sounds of our natural landscape. Wildlife, local and migrating birds, collecting techniques, and environmental awareness will be presented in a fun, energetic format that adults and children alike will enjoy. This session will focus on the pond habitat, and it's importance in the ecosystem.

Join us for an easy midmorning stroll through the cool back woods of the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Our short walk will start among towering groves of white pine, where we will search for toads and salamanders. The trail will lead us to a wildflower-filled field rich with dragonflies and butterflies. A few steps later, we will encounter an old wooden bridge that spans the Ipswich River, where we will stop for a snack and look for ducks, geese, and maybe a snapping turtle!