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.

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.