Audubon offers opportunity for homeschoolers
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Through exploration and hands-on learning, children ages 5-10 can join Audubon Community Nature Center's (ACNC) new Nature Connections. This monthly program is offered with homeschooled students and families in mind, though others are welcome.
Beginning Wednesday, from 1 to 2 p.m. on the first Wednesdays of the month Audubon invites 5-10-year-olds to experience a hands-on and exploratory-based approach to learn about the wonders of the natural world.
ACNC Nature Educator Taylor Spontaneo is leading Nature Connections. As she describes, "Audubon is hoping to provide homeschooled children with the experience of connecting with one another as well as a guided hands-on exploration of the natural world. By letting nature be the teacher, children are encouraged to be curious and adventurous in their own way."
Each month will feature a different theme. November's theme is "Hiking Tips and Tricks." Children will learn how to use a map while navigating trails, practice identifying poison ivy vines, and discover many other skills that make a great hiker and explorer.
Children should be dressed to be indoors and outdoors, as the program will take place in both settings. Parents and guardians may drop children off, or adults are welcome to stay.
Participation is $9 for children ages 5-10, $6.75 for Nature Center members. Reservations are appreciated by calling (716) 569-2345 or going to AudubonCNC.org/hiking-tips-and-tricks. Walk-ins are welcome.
Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown, N.Y., and Warren, Pa. You can visit the nearly 600-acre nature preserve, check in on the live birds of prey, enjoy the Nature Play Area, and hike six miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.
The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, live animals, the indoor Nature Play Area, the Ralph Simpson Bird Collection, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1-4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT and Arts Access cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free Sundays for non-Nature Center members.
To learn more about Audubon and its many programs, call (716) 569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook or Instagram, or visit AudubonCNC.org. Check out AudubonCNC.org/about for a quick fly-by