Children entering PreK4 or K will visit Heckscher Farm, explore our forest, and meet our live animals. Each weekly theme will be chock full of age-appropriate, hands-on adventures both inside and out. Children will also create art projects. Each class is taught by an early childhood professional with previous teaching experience at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. Our indoor and outdoor classroom areas are set up with play opportunities unique to each themed session.

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.

Junior WILD! Keepers was established in 2015, with the opening of our Heckscher WILD! exotic animal exhibit. Similar to the Junior Curator program, WILD! Keepers gives participants ages 10-13 hands-on experience in the care, feeding, and enrichment of our exotic teaching animals, from chinchillas to lizards. Upon completion of this class, participants are eligible to volunteer with the animals in the Heckscher WILD! exhibit.

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.

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.