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Preschool Programs

Instructor: Jenny Houghton

Classes are open to children ages 3 to 5. Pre-registration is required. Enrollment is limited to 15 children, so early registration is recommended.

Classes are offered as a session of six programs. Session 1: Mondays, 10 - 11:15 a.m. Session 2: Tuesdays, 10 - 11:15 a.m.

The fee for all six classes in the session is $45 for members, $55 for the general public. Each class includes a snack and a craft. For further information or to register, call 410-634-2847, extension 0.

Wetland Magic

April 14 and 15

It’s tadpole time again! Let’s take a closer look at tadpole habitat by examining the types of plants that grow in the wetland. We’ll use nets, buckets and binoculars to dig in and explore the world of the tadpole. Back in the classroom, we’ll make a frog craft and read wetland stories.

Stinky Skunk Cabbage

April 21, 22

What’s spring without skunk cabbage? Take the time to appreciate this springtime power plant on a meandering stream walk. We’ll learn interesting skunk cabbage lore, talk about the animal for which skunk cabbage is named, and make skunk cabbage chlorophyll prints. Don’t turn up your nose just yet: the morning snack will be skunk free.

Sunflower Power

April 28, 29

Help plant the Arboretum’s annual sunflower house in the children’s garden and take home your own sunflower seedling in a flowerpot that you decorate yourself. We’ll return to the classroom to learn about the grand sunflower, munch on sunflower seeds and read garden books. Plan on returning to the Arboretum in the summer; the sunflower house will tower above your head!

May Day

May 5, 6

Search for lady slipper flowers in the woods after a lesson on these native orchid beauties. We’ll make a bouquet of paper flowers to take home and celebrate May Day with forest stories and fancy flower cookies.

Wonderful Woodpeckers

May 12, 13

Who’s that tap-tapping away in the forest? Learn about native woodpeckers, sing a woodpecker song and take a walk to a woodpecker hangout. Back in the classroom, we’ll make milkweed pod birds, read a beak book and eat birdseed snacks.

Creature Camouflage

May 19, 20

How do animals and insects protect themselves from predators? The answer might be hard to spot: camouflage! Look at beautiful pictures of how creatures use camouflage and make your own camouflage nature picture with finger paints. On our walk, we’ll break into teams and experiment with camouflage in a woods adventure.