Summerstock Junior provides a strong foundation in acting and performance for ages six to eleven by offering a balance of script acting, improv and musical theatre. The day includes warm-up games, exercises and group activities, as well as class periods where students receive specialized instruction in age-appropriate groups (ages six to eight and ages nine to eleven). Students will present a showcase of their work on the final day of each session at 3:00pm.

This fun and focused, full-day workshop will sharpen skills in singing, acting and dance. In age-appropriate groups (5th and 6th grade, 7th and 8th grade, high school), students will rotate between these three subjects and be introduced to various musicals that share a common theme. The session also includes a day that focuses entirely on audition preparation. The session culminates in a showcase performance on the final date at 7:00pm.

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.

This season marks the 45th year the equestrian farm is offering the Summer Horsemanship Program, a summer camp for area youngsters which offers unique opportunities to learn from qualified instructors. The children’s day consists of approximately one hour to one and half hours of formal horseback riding lessons. Following the ring instruction, the children will have either stable management class or participate in arts and crafts activities. Children will also enjoy swimming and fun by the pool at the end of each day. Stable management focuses on horse care, maintenance, grooming, and horse anatomy. Stepping Stone Farm will utilize both outdoor riding rings for the summer of 2019. Riders will use the two indoor rings during inclement weather.

Children get a fun week of zoo-based activities, tours, and behind the scenes experiences. Each day patrollers tour an area of the zoo (Rainforest, Predators, Farmyard, Hoofstock) and have a special presentation by our keeper staff. The activities may include making enrichment items for the animals, watching training procedures, learning about new exhibits and more. Each week also offers some of our zoo presentations and introduction to our education animal collection. We offer zoo related games, crafts and activities for the younger groups. The sessions for the older children may include hands on activities involving tracking, scientific observation, and artifact identification. Zoo Patrollers also take part in all special summer shows offered by the zoo. Each day includes time for a snack and a little air-conditioned break! Special Friday activities include a carousel ride and a trip to the gift shop. Sessions are scheduled for children ages 6 to 8, 9 to 11 and 12 to 14. Zoo Patrol takes place in our Research Station and throughout zoo grounds. Children arrive at 9 AM and leave at 12:30 PM.