May 2009
News on events, programs and exhibits at The Children's Museum

Nature Mania: Crocodiles

The Children’s Museum, Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) and the PBS series Nature, are partnering to bring fun animal events to the Museum throughout the year. Nature Mania kicks off Friday with a special day all about Crocodiles.

Nature Mania events on Friday May 1, 2009:

Daytime Events included with General Admission

Croc Night
6:30 pm           
This special evening event includes a showing of Supersize Crocs in the Travelers Science Dome at the Gengras Planetarium, a special live presentation by Mike Ralbovsky of Rainforest Reptiles, and family crafts.

Croc Night costs $10/person for members and $12/person for non-members. To register, call 860.231.2830 x44 or e-mail Events@TheChildrensMuseumCT.org.

Join Us at A Child’s World
13th Annual Fundraiser

Saturday Evening May 9, 2009
Tumble Brook Country Club, Bloomfield

“A Child’s World” is The Children’s Museum’s 13th annual fundraising event to benefit our educational programming and exhibits, including our on-site and outreach programs for students in Connecticut’s priority school districts.

Join us for an entertaining evening of special cocktails, sit-down dinner, silent and live auctions - including the opportunity to sponsor one of our wildlife sanctuary animals - and some special fun.

Preview the auction items on the Annual Fundraiser website.

For more information, call 860.231.2830 x51.

Animals in Space!

Thursday May 28, 2009
7:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Two monkeys named Able and Miss Baker were the first living things to travel to space and back. Come celebrate the 50th anniversary of their flight on the Jupiter MRBM AM-18. In the planetarium we will watch “Astronaut,” a full-dome movie about the space program. Afterwards we will talk about some famous animal astronauts and how they have helped us reach the stars. Participate in a model rocket launch and view Saturn through a telescope (weather permitting).

$8/person for members, $10/person for non-members. To register, call 860.231.2830 x44 or e-mail Events@TheChildrensMuseumCT.org.

Summer Science Camp

The fun and learning continues this summer with our best ever Summer Science Camp.  We’re planning an action-packed summer chock full of old favorites and some great new additions. Summer Camp begins the week of July 6 and continues for seven weeks. Our weekly themes include Art Squad, Junior Vets, Young Wizards, Space Cadets, Robo Engineers, Lab Rats and Eco Explorers. New this summer are Fun Fridays, an awesome way to end the week that includes rocket launches, robot races and other extra special activities. Campers will take home different Museum Keepsakes each week like personalized lab gear and working robots. Each camper also receives a Science Camp T-shirt.

To register, contact our Registration Department at 860.231.2830 x 44. For more information about Summer Vacation Camps, visit our website.

Preschool Summer Exploration Playce 2009

These summer sessions for ages 4, 5 and 6 are held from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm

To register, call the Preschool at 860.523.7449.

Be a River Explorer

Make a splash! Come be a River Explorer. Join the Park River Assessment Program this summer and conduct research on streams in and around Hartford. Investigate things wet with us and engage in real science. Survey a stream’s habitat. Look for rocks, plants, fish dams, drainage pipes, and more. Collect aquatic insects to measure water quality. Have fun and contribute valuable data on stream health.    

Learn how at two half-day trainings sessions. No experience needed. Explorers must be age 8 or older. Children must be accompanied by adult. For more information, contact Sandy Weiss at 860.231.2830 x33 or sweiss@thechildrensmuseumct.org

There are many ways to support The Children’s Museum and Roaring Brook Nature Center. Check our FUNdraiser page regularly for updates. 

May 2009

Saturday Morning Bird Walks

Saturday May 2, 2009
Saturday May 23, 2009
7:00 am to 9:00 am

Early morning bird walks through Werner’s Woods provide welcome sights and sounds for birders of all levels of expertise. On some mornings, over fifty species of birds may be seen or heard. Participants should bring binoculars and dress for wet ground conditions underfoot. Bird walks are not geared for very young children.

$2/person for members, $3/ person for non-members. Pre-registration is not required.

Nature Center Offers Hike
and Yoga

Sunday May 3, 2009
9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Roaring Brook Nature Center and Collinsville Yoga Center will co-sponsor a brisk one-hour hike along the more remote trails through Werner’s Woods followed by an easy yoga session for beginners in the Nature Center auditorium.

$25/person for members, $30/person for non-members. Pre-registration is required. To register, or for more information, call the Nature Center at 860.693.0263.

Spring Wildflower Walk for Mother’s Day

Sunday May 10, 2009
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm 

The Nature Center offers a guided walk along the trails of Werner’s Woods in search of spring wildflowers. Pre-registration is not required. $5/person for adults, $3/person for children. Moms will be admitted free of charge.

Discovery Days Programs

Discovery Days is the Nature Center’s enrichment series for young children. Registration is now open for the final set of spring programs, including Nature for Little Ones for age 2 and Exploring Together for ages 3 and 4 (for kids and parents to attend together), as well as Nesting Time, a program for children ages 4 and 5 in kindergarten and kindergarten readiness programs.

For more information visit the Discovery Days website or call the Nature Center at 860.693.0263.

Nature Center Summer Programs

Roaring Brook Nature Center's Summer 2009 Discovery Programs offer your child a unique blend of education and fun that takes advantage of the curiosity and sense of wonder that all children feel towards the natural world around them. Check our website for a list of programs and to determine class availability.