Connecting children to their natural world through outdoor educational hands-on experiences

​​​​Hands on Nature 

A typical morning includes a forest walk, swamp or pond exploration, quiet observations in nature, and natural crafts. Our full day students will also enjoy lunch in the woods, along with in-depth study of our natural world, focusing on the woods, the pond or the swamp.  

We gain inspiration from the Native American traditions which teach we are part of the natural world and not separate from it.

Location

Join us again this summer at our new location on the Tyler Conservation and Brewer Brook Area in Berlin, a beautiful area with a brook, wetlands, an active beaver lodge, and a wooded trail area. We are confident that both new and returning students will be delighted with this new location. Similar to past years, we will spend a day each week at the frog pond.

Program Information

Summer Sessions run for one week, Monday-Friday.
Time: Morning (9:30-noon) or Full day (9:30 - 2 pm).
Program fee includes all materials: $160/week for the Morning and $260/week for the Full day.  Sessions are kept small and have a maximum of 15 students. 

Full day programs include lots of walking/hiking, and work best for older children that can walk for a good part of the day.  Morning programs work well for children ages 4 and above.

Note: Students will bring a snack, Full day students will bring lunch.

We will spend the day exploring the woods and its inhabitants; observing creatures in their natural habitats; listening to animal stories; learning to walk silently in the woods, collecting frogs, toads, and salamanders; observing and releasing what we find; experiencing the natural world with each of our senses; and journaling our findings through writing, drawings, and other expressions.

To Register

Email handsonnature@gmail.com to check for availability. A registration form will be emailed to you once we have confirmed a spot for your child. At that time, you can mail in the registration form with a deposit or click on the PayPal link below. Questions:  (508) 981-1335.

Due to our long waitlist every summer, each child may enroll for a maximum of two weeks each summer.

A few limited scholarships are available for families with low incomes, please email us for a scholarship form if you would like to apply. 

"The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful" 
-e.e. cummings

Frogs, Salamanders and Toads
Hawks and Owls
Life Under A Log
Big Predators
Butterflies and Moths

Hands on Nature • 67 Carter Street, Berlin MA 01503 • (508) 981-1335 • handsonnature@gmail.com • A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

Program Topics

Some of the special themes of this year's summer program are:  

Pond Life                            
Animal Homes                    
Nature Detectives             
Backyard Birds                   
Bugs and Insects