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 as we return this summer to our favorite 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. Both new and returning students are delighted with this new location. Similar to past years, we will spend 1-2 days 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: $175/week for the Morning and $275/week for the Full day. Sessions are kept small and have a maximum of 21 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 non-refundable deposit or click on the PayPal link below. Questions: (508) 981-1335.
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
2025 Summer Program Dates Registration for 2025 opens on January 11th at 9:00 am! | ||
| SESSION 1 | ||
June 16 - 20 | 9:30 - noon | For children ages 4 and older |
| SESSION 2 | ||
June 23 - 27 | 9:30 - noon | For children ages 4 and older |
| SESSION 3 | ||
| July 7 - 11 | 9:30 - 2 pm | For children ages 6 and older |
| SESSION 4 | ||
| July 14 - 18 | 9:30 - noon | For children ages 4 and older |
| SESSION 5 | ||
| July 21 - 25 | 9:30 - 2 pm | For children ages 6 and older |
| SESSION 6 | ||
| July 28 - Aug 1 | 9:30 - 2 pm | For children ages 8 and older |
| SESSION 7 | ||
August 4 - 8
| 9:30 - noon | For children ages 4 and older |
August 11 - 15 | 9:30 - noon | For children ages 4 and older |
Hands on Nature • 67 Carter Street, Berlin MA 01503 • (508) 981-1335 • handsonnature@gmail.com • A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Summer Program
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