Summer Programs By DEP Encourage Children’s Exploration Of Nature

DERBY — Kellogg  Environmental Center is offering summer programs for children ages 8 to 13 this year. Participants will explore the habitats of Connecticut through hands-on investigations.

Weekly themes allow children to focus on specific areas of interest. Classes meet Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 am to noon.

The program for July 18 through 21, called “What’s Wild?” is for ages 8 to 10. Plants and animals have changed over time and many wild relatives can still be found. The importance of keeping wild animals – wild and pets – pets is the main focus for this week. Children will learn how animals and plants introduced to the area have caused damage and what animals, commonly thought of as native, actually are imports. They will visit with wildlife rehabilitators and specialists to learn more about keeping our native wildlife healthy.

On July 25 through 28, “Animals Out and About” is designed for ages 11 through 13. Children will take part in wildlife research by learning what studies are going on and participate in actual counts. They will learn how to identify the species and locate them in their habitats through searches.

They will also participate in nestbox monitoring and bird field counts. All information will become part of studies that are being conducted statewide and nationally.

The August 1 through 4 program, “Science in Your Hand,” is designed for ages 11 through 13. Participants can discover the natural world by taking part in experiments and explorations that bring to life the many types of sciences necessary to keep our environment healthy.

Children will take part in air, soil, and water testing activities that show how DEP employees learn about problems and monitor quality. They will learn how to make sense of it all and how they can make a difference.

Registration is necessary for all sessions. Enrollment is limited to allow for the most hands-on experience for each child, so early registration is strongly suggested.

The fee for each week is $80 for the first child and $65 for each additional child. To register for an additional week, it is $60 each.

To register, call  203/734-2513 between 9 am and 4:30 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. The Kellogg Environmental Center, operated by the DEP’s Office of Communications and Education, is at 500 Hawthorne Avenue, Route 34, in Derby.