Registration Form

HILLTOWN FAMILIES
presents
Outdoor Adventures for Kids in the Hilltowns
Spring 08 Afternoon Program

A nine week Monday afternoon (4pm-5pm) adventure program for kids ages 5-7 at the TMO Base Camp in Chesterfield, MA, starting April 7th and ending June 16th, 2008. Led by Program Coordinator, Timothy Vogel of Tekoa Mountain Outdoors.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Through age appropriate activities, young kids will explore their surrounding environment on foot and in a canoe while learning about ecology through outdoor adventures and activities. This nine week program will lead young Adventurers into the discoveries of spring while experiencing hikes, fishing and canoeing around the scenic 500 acre Base Camp in Chesterfield, MA. As spring arrives, bringing us April Showers, our young Adventures will explore vernal pools as the peepers emerge, make rain sticks to celebrate the season and hunt for insects. In May our young Adventures will go fishing while learning about fish habitat and local wildflowers and plants. And as we approach the summer months we’ll bring out the canoes and learn the basics of paddling and canoe safety. Our last day will conclude with a make-your-own ice cream social by using a tin can! Participants are asked to dress for the weather.

SPRING 08 SESSION

Week 1 – Monday (04/07/08 )
RAIN STICKS
We will be starting off our spring session by making Rain Sticks and sharing their origins. Our young Adventurers will make a traditional Rain Stick out of materials found in their environment, and like people of other cultures, imitate the sound of rain. Having originated in South America and attributed to many cultures, the Rain Stick is a tubular rattle that has been used by many diverse cultures in various ways and played by children throughout the world.

Week 2 – Monday (04/14/08 )
STREAM EXPLORATIONS
As spring slowly arrives, our young Adventurers will trek down to the stream to explore our streams and surrounding areas. And there’s more than meets the eye! Upon closer look, we’ll identify different aquatic insects, animals and plants while discussing their importance to our ecosystem. Please bring shoes that can get wet and a change of clothes. Magnifying glass and reptile/insect ID books would be handy too.

Week 3 – Monday (04/28/08 )
THE BIG BUG HUNT
As their environment warms up, insects begin to emerge. We’ll identify bugs that fly, swim, crawl and even slither near our watershed while learning their value to our environment. Our young Adventurers will explore under logs and rocks while discovering which insects are useful and which ones we should avoid. We’ll also discuss how to keep ourselves safe from tick and mosquito bites while being adventurous outdoors. Please bring shoes that can get wet and a change of clothes. Magnifying glass and insect ID books would be handy too.

Week 4 – Monday (05/05/08 )
LET’S GO FISHING! (PART 1)
We are fortunate to have a rich resource of fish habitat in Western Massachusetts. For the next two weeks our young Adventurers will discover respectful fishing practices. We will learn about tying knots and casting a line while taking a look at different types of bait. We’ll also be discussing hook safety and fish habitat. Fishing poles and gear will be provided. Participants are welcome to bring their own poles too.

Week 5 – Monday (05/12/08 )
LET’S GO FISHING! (PART 2)
We’ll continue our fish explorations as our young Adventurers are introduced to the TMO/MA Angler Education Program. We will continue with learning the basics of fishing, simple biology, fish habitat, fishing gear safety, and courteous fishing habits while instilling respect for fish and their environment. Fishing poles and gear will be provided. Participants are welcome to bring their own poles too.

Week 6 – Monday (05/19/08 )
HIKING ADVENTURES
April shower’s bring May flowers, including Dutchman’s Britches, Trillium, Yellow Violets, and Trout Lilly’s. May is an excellent time to identify wildflowers, plants and trees while discussing how we can avoid poisonous plants while being adventurous outdoors. We will hike around the 500 acre Base camp, and see what April showers have helped to bring to life while discussing their importance to our ecosystem. Participants are welcome to bring along a plant press and ID books.

Week 7 – Monday (06/02/08 )
CANOEING (PART 1)
Our young Adventurers will take to the water for the next two weeks. We will access the waters here at the Base Camp and learn safety skills around the water and canoes. Wearing provided personal flotation devices (PFD), we’ll learn all the different paddle strokes and proper techniques while paddling around our beautiful 60 acre wild and scenic Scout Pond. Please bring shoes that can get wet and a change of clothes.

Week 8 – Monday (06/09/08 )
CANOEING (PART 2)
Our young Adventurers will conclude their canoeing experience, beginning where we left off last week. Wearing provided personal flotation devices (PFD), we’ll continue to practice our canoeing techniques and safety skills as we explore our watershed on canoe. Please bring shoes that can get wet and a change of clothes.

Week 9 – (06/16/08 )
TIN CAN ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Our last day will conclude our Hilltown Families Spring 08 Program with our young Adventurers playing outdoor games and making their own ice cream by using a tin can! They will learn how to construct their homemade ice cream maker from materials brought from home and follow through by making their very own to enjoy. And ice cream social will follow.

REGISTRATION FORM

PROGRAM DETAILS

TIME: Starting Monday, April 7th, and ending June 16th, 2008, this nine week program is held on Mondays between the hours of 4pm-5pm. Please arrive promptly and dressed for the outdoors.

COST: Tuition cost is $90.00 for nine weeks for one child.

CLASS SIZE: 10 person maximum.

REGISTRATION FORM

OBJECTIVES: Tekoa Mountain Outdoors (TMO) will run a one hour program were the parent can stay to watch or help their child while they engaged in projects, activities and games in a safe environment. These activities will help promote, communication, teamwork, confidence, and self-esteem while building new friendships in a fun learning experience. TMO is fully insured and liable for all TMO programs.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR: Timothy Vogel of Tekoa Mountain Outdoors.

SUPPLIES: Fishing poles, gear and life jackets will be provided for fishing and canoeing classes. Plant, reptile and insect guide books are welcomed to bring from home, along with a magnifying glass and plant press as mentioned in class descriptions. Keeping a change of clothes on hand, and waterproof shoes is recommended.

LOCATION & FACILITIES: This program meets at the TMO Base Camp located on the Chesterfield Scout Reservation at 27 Sugarhill Road in Chesterfield, MA. (Click here for directions) An inside heated meeting space is available during inclement weather or when we do inside projects. The bathrooms are comfortable, clean, outdoor camp style facilities. Most of the time we are outdoors having fun and learning, so please dress for the weather to insure you child will get the most out of program. It is recommended to have a change of clothes on hand.

FUTURE PROGRAMS: Hilltown Families will be presenting future afternoon programs with TMO. Programs will include: Environmental Education ( EE ), X-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Rock Climbing, Fly Fishing, Fly Tying, Tent and Backpack Demonstrations, Hiking, First Aid, Water Adventures, Team Building and Cooperative Games, and more adventure programs. Help your kids create an awareness about our environment through adventure and exploration.

HOW TO REGISTER: Contact our Program coordinator, Timothy Vogel of Tekoa Mountain Outdoors by calling 413-296-4249. Pre-register is required. Spaces will fill up fast, so don’t wait! Mail tuition payment of $90.00 to: Tekoa Mountain Outdoors. 27 Sugarhill Rd. Williamsburg, MA, 01096. Please make checks out to TMO.

REGISTRATION FORM

DIRECTIONS:
From the West (Berkshire County):
Take Route 8 south to Hinsdale. Pick up Route 143. Travel east on Route 143 for approximately 20 miles to Sugar Hill Road, which will be a left hand turn. Turn left onto Sugar Hill Road. The Camp Entrance will be 200 yards down on the right.
From the East (Hampshire/Franklin Counties):
Take I-91, to exit 19 in Northampton. Head West on Route 9, towards Chesterfield and Williamsburg. After traveling through Williamsburg, you will take a left on Route 143 West (there is a small BSA Camp sign). Follow Route 143 for approximately 4 miles, and turn right onto Sugar Hill Road. The camp entrance will be about 200 yards down on the right.