Engage your camper in the hands-on exploration of art and nature. In each session campers will discover the diverse resources of the SM&NC’s unique facility with visits to the planetarium, Heckscher Farm, Museum galleries, or nature trails, guided by one of our experienced environmental educators. To enhance the camper’s experience, they will explore a variety of art-making processes with our art educator at Heckscher Barn classroom. STAY FOR LUNCH! For an additional fee, children can bring a lunch and drink and extend their time with us from 12:30 to 1:30 pm.

Immerse your camper in the daily chores and activities of our Heckscher Farm. Campers will be responsible for helping with daily chores such as grooming, exercising, feeding, and cleaning farm animals, and will also help with weekly produce harvest and planting in our organic garden. Learn how to properly exercise and provide enrichment for animals, explore our hay lofts and barns, and hang out in the pastures! Kids will also participate in hands-on cooking and farm crafts, and will work as a team to create a special tasty treat that they will share on Fridays for lunch.

Level up your engineering skills with Play-Well TEKnologies and tens of thousands of LEGO parts! Apply real-world concepts in physics, engineering, and architecture through engineer-designed projects such as: Gear Cars, Gondolas, Merry-Go-Rounds, and Scissor Lifts. Design and build as never before, and explore your craziest ideas in a supportive environment. There are no prerequisites for this course.

The SM&NC JEE program is an opportunity for students ages 15-17 who have an interest in education and the environment. Positions are available during our five weeks of summer camp: July 8-12, July 15-20, July 23-27, July 29-Aug 2, Aug 5-9. JEE staff will assist educators in many aspects on the camp program, including preparation, group management, morning welcome/check-in, afternoon pick-up, and activity coordination. JEE staff will receive hands-on training in developing age-appropriate, innovative environmental education curriculum, in Connecticut natural history and in managing a multi-age, co-ed group. Volunteers are required to attend an orientation session for an overview of responsibilities and camp curriculum.

Level up your engineering skills with Play-Well TEKnologies and tens of thousands of LEGO parts! Apply real-world concepts in physics, engineering, and architecture through engineer-designed projects such as: Gear Cars, Castles, Airplanes, and Scissor Lifts. Design and build as never before, and explore your craziest ideas in a supportive environment. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Our newly-formatted caregiver/child classes provide age-appropriate opportunities to explore the season through art projects, live animal visits, sensory experiences, stories, and more! Now held in the larger classroom in Heckscher Barn, we’ll have more room for fun and exploration but still keeping our small group atmosphere and toddler-friendly atmosphere. Weekly themes will reflect seasonal happenings on the farm and in the forest, so we’ll explore summer veggies in the garden, water! Please note, siblings who are in a baby carrier on a caregiver are welcome, but please make arrangements for any other siblings. Class size is limited to 8 children.