1. pets
2. reptiles

LISTENING AND LEARNING
Environmental Education is about learning skills, developing character and
making friends. It teaches self-reliance, a love for nature and the outdoors
and the development of attitudes and practices that build character and
leadership.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
UPDATED ON: MARCH 10, 2015
STAFF CONTACTS
ACY – Shane Vondracek, Environmental Education Director P 733.9622 E [email protected]
WONDERBUG DISCOVERIES (AGES 18 MONTHS-3 YEARS WITH PARENT) (ACY)
This parent-child nature discovery program is highly sensory-based involving themed storybooks, songs,
hands-on time, and outdoor time with exploratory walks through the Purdy Nature Preserve. Each week
will focus on a different seasonal theme or topic in nature. A portion of each class will be held outdoors,
weather permitting, so dress accordingly!
PLAYFUL FRIENDS (AGES 2-5) (ACY) (Session 1)
Learn about the animals that stay 'playful' all winter long such as deer, otters, owls, foxes, rabbits and
more through hands-on activities, games, stories, and crafts.
WAKE UP EVERYONE (AGES 2-5) (ACY) (Session 2)
Learn about the animals waking up from various forms of winter resting to welcome the coming spring,
including bears, groundhogs, badgers, and chipmunks. Each class will have hands-on learning activities,
stories and crafts to help your child explore the unique winter world of these animals.
OUTRAGEOUS OUTDOORS (AGES 3-5 YEARS) (ACY)
This exciting class gives your child a chance to learn all about the beauty and wonder of the natural world
through hands-on activities, games, stories and crafts related to the nature theme of the week, as well as
time outdoors exploring nature. Class will end with time for lunch, so please pack a nutritional lunch (to
help us accommodate participants with allergies please pack a peanut/tree nut free lunch) and have them
dressed for the weather. Children can be transferred to and from other preschool classes within the Apple
Creek YMCA.
ECO-KIDS (AGES 3-5 YEARS) (ACY)
Give your preschooler a chance to learn all about the beauty of the world around them. Each class
includes an activity, games, story and craft related to the animal theme of the week, as well as time
outdoors hiking and exploring nature. Please dress for the weather!
SPLENDID EXPLORERS (AGES 3-5 YEARS) (ACY)
Exploring, laughter and learning- what a great combination! Your child will have a blast playing with other
children, singing, creating, exploring and learning all about nature. Our class will begin with our Growth
and Development teachers and end with our Naturalist taking the children outside to enhance what we
experienced in the class. Children will need to bring a nutritional lunch to eat during class (to help us
accommodate participants with allergies please pack a peanut/tree nut free lunch).
LIVE ANIMAL CARE (AGES 6-12 YEARS) (ACY)
Drop your child off on the second Saturday of each month in the Nature Study Classroom to learn how we
care for our classroom animals, including snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs and fish. Help feed the animals,
clean their tanks, and make sure they are living healthy lives.
WINTER WONDERLAND (AGES 5-10) (ACY)
Build snow shelters, decorate snowmen, follow animal tracks, go snowshoeing, make winter crafts, play
games in the snow and so much more! This outdoor class combines winter play with hands-on learning to
keep kids active through the winter months.
All Winter Session: January 5-April 12, 2015
Winter Session 1: January 5-February 22, 2015
This is a working document and is subject to change.
1
Winter Session 2: February 23-April 12, 2015
WILD WISCONSIN (AGES 5-10) (ACY)
Explore Wisconsin’s unique natural world and learn about state symbols such as our state bird, tree,
insect, flower, tree, rock, animal and more along with a look at our amazing state park, forest, refuge,
and lakeshore areas. The beauty of nature is all around us and this program will show you how and where
to find it!
SNOWSHOEING FOR KIDS (AGES 5-12) (ACY)
This outdoor program will give your child the chance to go on a true snowshoe adventure in and around
the Purdy Preserve. Come dressed for the weather and ready to explore! Snowshoe rental is included,
and hot chocolate will be served when we get back inside. Come join the fun!
Day
Start
End
Y
Member
General
Public
T
9:30 AM
10:30 AM
$27
$45
M
9:30 AM
11:00 AM
$42
$60
2-5 years
M
9:30 AM
11:00 AM
$42
$60
ACY
3-5 years
R
10:00 AM
11:30 AM
$42
$60
ACY
3-5 years
W
10:00 AM
NOON
$52
$70
Splendid Explorers
ACY
2 ½ -5 years
W
11:15 AM
2:15 PM
$67
$84
Live Animal Care - January 10
ACY
6-12 years
S
1:00 PM
3:00 PM
$6
$9
Live Animal Care - February 14
ACY
6-12 years
S
1:00 PM
3:00 PM
$6
$9
Live Animal Care - March 14
ACY
6-12 years
S
1:00 PM
3:00 PM
$6
$9
Live Animal Care- April 11
ACY
6-12 years
S
1:00 PM
3:00 PM
$6
$9
Winter Wonderland
ACY
5-10 years
T
4:30 PM
5:30 PM
$27
$45
Wild Wisconsin
ACY
5-10 years
T
5:30 PM
6:30 PM
$27
$45
Snowshoeing for Kids
ACY
5-12 years
Jan 17
1:00 PM
2:30 PM
$6
$8
Snowshoeing for Kids
ACY
5-12 years
Feb 7
1:00 PM
2:30 PM
$6
$8
Class name
YMCA
Age
Wonderbug Discoveries
ACY
Playful Friends - Session 1
ACY
18 months 3 years
2-5 years
Wake Up Everyone! - Session 2
ACY
Eco Kids
Outrageous Outdoors
ADULT AND FAMILY PROGRAMS
(Children under 14 may attend only with an adult)
SNOWSHOE HIKES (AGES 14-ADULT) (ACY)
The Apple Creek YMCA is offering adult snowshoeing instructional programs throughout the winter
months. Pre-registration is required. A packet of information covering proper clothing, footwear and gear
will be sent to you prior to your snowshoe hike. Snowshoes are provided. Hikes meet at High Cliff State
Park and participants are responsible for their own transportation and entrance fees to the sites, and must
be 14 years or older to attend. Call 733.9622 for further details.
ALL ABOUT OWLS (ALL AGES) (ACY)
Hear the delightful story, Owl Moon, about a young girl who goes owling with her father in winter and
learn how to “whoo whoo” like Great Horned Owls searching for a mate. Afterwards we’ll head outside to
call to the owls, so dress for the weather. We’ll conclude with hot chocolate and a chance to look at owl
pellets.
WINTER EARTH ART (ALL AGES) (ACY)
What can you and your family create in the snow? Sculpt, build, and shape large earth art outside and
then walk the "gallery" to view all the artwork you have created. Be sure to dress for the weather and
bring any building “tools” you think will be helpful. Hot chocolate will be served as well to warm you up
after your creations are completed!
All Winter Session: January 5-April 12, 2015
Winter Session 1: January 5-February 22, 2015
This is a working document and is subject to change.
2
Winter Session 2: February 23-April 12, 2015
WINTER PRESERVE HIKE (ALL AGES) (ACY)
Come out to the Bruce B. Purdy Preserve and Apple Creek YMCA for a guided hike on our ever changing
trails. See and learn about our plant and animal communities while getting out and enjoying the winter
landscape. Hikes begin at the Apple Creek YMCA with a short program in the Nature Study Classroom.
Pre-registration is required.
7:30 PM
Y
Member
$4
General
Public
$7
1:00 PM
3:00 PM
$4
$7
Jan 17
3:00 PM
5:00 PM
FREE
$5
14+
Jan 16
1:00 PM
3:00 PM
$12
$16
ACY
14+
Feb 7
7:30 PM
10:00 PM
$12
$16
ACY
14+
1:00 PM
3:00 PM
$12
$16
ACY
14+
Feb 27
March
14
1:00 PM
3:00 PM
$12
$16
Class name
YMCA
Age
Day
Start
End
All About Owls
ACY
All Ages
Jan 31
6:00 PM
Winter Earth Art
ACY
All Ages
Feb 21
Winter Preserve Hike
ACY
All Ages
Snowshoe Hike - High Cliff
Snowshoe Hike - High Cliff
Moonlight
Snowshoe Hike - High Cliff
ACY
Snowshoe Hike - High Cliff
SCHOOL PROGRAMMING
The Apple Creek YMCA and Bruce B. Purdy Nature Preserve are now accepting field trip registrations for
the 2014-15 school year for grades K-12. Local schools may book trips on a number of different topics
including plants, animals, forestry, pond study and much more. Programs will be tailored to each school’s
curriculum needs and will be led by YMCA naturalists. Call 733.9622 or email the Environmental Education
Director at [email protected] for a complete list of programming options.
LEADERS FOR GIRL, BOY AND CUB SCOUTS OR OTHER YOUTH GROUPS
Scouts of all ages may schedule time with the Naturalist to fulfill requirements for outdoor related try-its,
achievements or badges they are working on. Cost for a 1-2 hour session is $2/child. Programs can be
held at your normal meeting location or at the Y.
TEAMBUILDING - APPLE CREEK YMCA (GRADES 6-8)
Attention Middle School teachers- the Apple Creek YMCA is now offering a 4 1/2 hour teambuilding
program. Please call for more details or to book a date for this quickly growing program! Program can
also be altered for High School, College or Corporate groups.
BECOME A PRESERVE VOLUNTEER
Volunteers are needed for many outdoor related tasks such as mowing, tree trimming, trail maintenance
and more. Call 733.9622 for more details on how you can help shape the Bruce B. Purdy Nature Preserve.
All Winter Session: January 5-April 12, 2015
Winter Session 1: January 5-February 22, 2015
This is a working document and is subject to change.
3
Winter Session 2: February 23-April 12, 2015