Time in nature increases health, happiness, and well-being in kids. This February, The Nature Museum is offering unique, outdoor adventures for young Vermonters during winter school vacation. Our camps are educational, hands-on experiences that bring children outside and exercise their minds and bodies. We build confidence and independence by teaching wilderness skills in a safe and fun group environment. When school's out for a week this winter, get outside with The Nature Museum!

Wild Walkers: Tuesday, February 16: Wayfinding encompasses all of the ways in which people and animals orient themselves in the environment and navigate from place to place. Wild Walkers is a partnership between The Nature Museum and Vermont Wilderness School which offers day-long outdoor experiences for youth ages 10 to 14. "Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost" will be held on Tuesday, February 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the woods and fields around The Nature Museum. Youth will explore wayfinding without map and compass as well as studying topographic maps and compass to find locations and plan journeys, a vital skill for humans for thousands of years. The group will participate in a cross country course on snowshoes which will build skills for self-sufficiency, emergency preparedness, ecological awareness, and hazard avoidance in the wild.

Skilled instructors from the Vermont Wilderness School and The Nature Museum will guide participants in a safe, fun, respectful experience of living close to the earth. At Wild Walkers, kids build confidence and resiliency outdoors while learning ancient wilderness skills. Early-bird registration (by February 2) is $35 per student for this six-hour program. Participants must bring their own snow shoes. After February 3rd (if space remains): $40. 

Brave Bears: Wednesday, February 17: Brave Bears is The Nature Museum's series of natural science programs geared for 6 to 9 year-olds. On one day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., "the Bears" will experience an age-appropriate version of "Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost", as described above for the "Wild Walkers." They will learn about wayfinding, and orienteering. Youth will follow an outdoor course for a treasure hunt on snowshoes. The Nature Museum loans snowshoes for young participants who reserve them ahead. Early-bird registration (by February 3) is $25 per student for one five hour program. After February 4rd (if space remains): $30. Snow Date is Feb. 19.

Please register online for Wild Walkers and/or Brave Bears at www.nature-museum.org, or call us at (802) 843-2111. Scholarships are available. Please inquire for multiple day and sibling discounts. Kids should bring a hearty bagged snack and lunch, a water bottle, and appropriate winter clothing and gear to this winter camp. Information about other upcoming events can be found on The Nature Museum at Grafton's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/naturemuseumatgrafton) and on their website (www.nature-museum.org).