Buttonwood Nature Center, home of The Institute, is offering a new fall EXPLORE! programseries timed for after school. Designed for kids in grades K to 5, the programs will run on four Tuesdays: October 7, 14, 21 and 28, from 4–5 p.m. at Buttonwood Nature Center in Waynesboro, Pa. Participants may register for any or all of the four sessions.

All program activities are outside. Taught by Buttonwood educators, each program includes educational activities related to the season. 

The four programs are:

October 7: Gone Squirrelly!

Students will learn all about an often seen but little understood animal—the squirrel. The group will experience how squirrels prepare for winter by listening to a story, going for a hike, playing games, and getting squirrelly.

October 14: Artful Arachnids

Come appreciate the world of arachnids with Buttonwood staff! Participants will learn all about arachnids, go for a hike to catch and observe spiders, and create some wonderful webby artwork.

October 21: There’s FUN in Fungus

Participants will explore the hidden world of fungus during this program with the opportunity to get up close and personal with mushrooms under a microscope. The group will also enjoy a hike through the woods and complete their very own mushroom craft.

October 28: A Peek Inside a Pumpkin

This program offers “hands-in-pumpkin” experience learning all about the life cycle of a pumpkin. Participants will have a chance to harvest their own pumpkin seeds and paint their own pumpkin to take home.

Pre-registration and payment in advance is required. Register for any or all of the individual sessions. The fee is $6 for Buttonwood Nature Center/Institute members and $7 for the general public, per child, per program. Limit: 15 children per program. 

Register online at: www.buttonwoodnaturecenter.org. For more information, email Buttonwood at jessica@buttonwoodnaturecenter.org or call 717-762-0373.

EXPLORE! programs are sponsored by Buttonwood’s Today’s Horizon Fund Contributors: The Nora Roberts Foundation; Marge Kiersz; APX Enclosures; Don Gibe and Nancy Erlanson; and the family of the late Carolyn Terry Eddy, with daughters Connie Fleagle & Kim Larkin.