Kids in grades 6-8 are invited to get outside at Sheldrake for a special kind of after-school activity called, “Wild in the Woods.” This is not like school, we promise! Each week at our nature center in Larchmont, there’ll be a different focus–things science stuff, like examining pond life; creative things, like art in nature; calming activities, like outdoor yoga; community-service projects, like a cleanup or gardening; games, like scavenger hunts; etc. Sign up for the weeks that sound good to you (and maybe give us some ideas for other things you want us to plan). From 3:00 to 3:30, we’ll have snacks and hang out, then from 3:30 to 4:30 we’ll do the weekly activity. All this is totally FREE, thanks to a very generous grant from the Junior League of Westchester on the Sound. Our goal is to have fun in nature together–we hope you’ll join us!

Wild in the Woods is scheduled to meet on Thursdays from September through May (with some exceptions). The upcoming schedule is:

• Thursday, September 24 – What’s Wild About the Woods – Whether camping, playing sports, doing art, or even just walking around, time spent outdoors in nature is awesome for a lot of reasons (stress relief, mood improvement, head clearing, fun, etc.). Get to know your nearby forest and the amazing wildlife that lives there and visits! Register for 9/24 here.
• Thursday, October 1 – Yoga in the Woods – Yoga in great indoors, but now imagine being outdoors by the pond surrounded by nature! All levels are welcome, and there’s no pressure to be “good at it.” Be who and what you are. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll do this indoors.
• Thursday, October 8 – Tweet and Greet – You might be surprised by how cool birds are! We’ll use binoculars and learn how to identify their different sights, sounds, and even personalities.
• Thursday, October 15 – What Lives in the Pond? – We’ll scoop some samples from the pond and study them under magnifiers and high-end scientific microscopes!
• Thursday, October 22 – Community Service: Garlic Planting in the Giving Garden – Here’s a great opportunity to get your hands dirty and earn community-service hours. Volunteer in Sheldrake’s Giving Garden by helping to plant garlic for next year’s harvest. As with all the crops in our Giving Garden, the garlic will be donated to the Larchmont Mamaroneck Hunger Task Force to support local food insecurity.

More of the schedule will be announced soon.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Advance registration is required, and the online registration form must be completed by a parent or legal guardian. Registration opens about a month before each scheduled date.
• The program is open to kids who live or go to school in the following areas: Larchmont/Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Port Chester, Harrison, Rye, or Rye Neck.
• Transportation is not provided, and transportation expenses are not reimbursable. Participants are responsible for their own transportation.
• The program will be conducted entirely in English. Translation services are not provided.
• While our trails are not considered difficult, note that they are unpaved, uneven, and hilly in parts and may pose challenges for people with physical limitations. Please contact us to discuss individual needs before registering.
• Weekly topics are subject to change.
• The program proceeds in mildly inclement weather but may be canceled in more inclement conditions.
• Late arrivals and early departures are strongly discouraged between 3:30 and 4:30 pm, when the group will likely be out on the trails.
• Additional information will be emailed to this address in the days leading up to the program to provide additional information. Please be on the lookout for that.