Spring is a time when many baby animals are born. How much do these animals depend on their families for survival? Come learn how some mammal, bird, amphibian, and insect families will spend their Mother's Day. We will walk through different habitats and investigate which young animals stay with their families and which go it alone.
Spring is the season when frogs, toads, and salamanders return to the wetlands to lay their eggs. After a short introduction in our Nature Center where we will learn about the life cycles of these amazing creatures, we will search the sanctuary's wetlands and woodlands for amphibians on the move. If we're lucky, we might be able to catch a few of them! We'll also be sure to swing by our vernal pool where we should be able to find large masses of wood frog and spotted salamander eggs.
Join the The Trustees of Reservations or some family fun this April Vacation week! We’ve got activities all week long! On Friday we will close out the week of activities with a scavenger hunt challenge in the gardens. Work together with your child to follow clues through the gardens and discover hidden treasures among the plants.
At this Family Quest Fest you'll learn all about Questing--clue-based treasure hunts discovering stories about this very special place--while on an expetition to find a treasure box! You'll make your own stamp, grab a passport, and participate in the fastest growing family recreational activity this side of the Atlantic.
Join The Trustees of Reservations on a misty evening in early Spring, vernal pools are hopping! The swales we find tucked amongst the dunes are coming alive, host to a variety of creatures waking from a long winter’s nap and ready for action! We’ll hike out under cover of darkness to spy on – and listen to – this celebration of awakening. Bring a flashlight or headlamp, and wear boots! We’ll have nets and buckets for up-close observations, but our specimen collecting is strictly catch-and-release.
We know how important it is to be "green," but how do we apply that to the way we live on the New England coast? Come to Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats for a full day of activities all about ocean creatures like whales, sea turtles and fish! We’ll learn about ocean sustainability and seashore conservation with fun, informative games like mini sporting events, quiz competitions, model building, and art projects for all ages!
Let the games begin! Beat the winter blahs with a high-energy scavenger hunt for footprints, nests, and burrows. Winter shelter building, animal tracking races, and adaptation demonstrations are part of the line-up for this active and educational romp through the park. We’ll cap it off with cookies and cocoa to celebrate our time together outdoors.. Meet at Maudslay State Park, Newburyport . $5 parking fee. Hosted by Joppa Flats Education Center. Please dress for the weather.
Come explore the woodlands, wetlands, and fields along the sanctuary trails. Learn how to identify tracks in the snow and use your detective skills to observe nibbled twigs and nuts, and scat. On our return, we will warm up with a delicious cup of hot chocolate!
This February Vacation week come join us for a week full of winter woodland family fun at Ravenswood Park and the Cape Ann Discovery Center. Activities are designed to encourage exploration, stimulate the imagination, and kick start creativity. With a new theme each day, you can register your child (accompanied by his or her favorite adult) per day or join us for the full week at a discounted rate!
Looking for an outdoor activity during school vacation? Come build snow forts with us! We'll have a contest to determine the best winter architects - which igloo is the most structurally sound? The most creative? The one that best represents Ipswich history? The one that best fits the Crane Estate landscape? At the end of the day we'll enjoy some hot chocolate to warm ourselves. Please note: Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the weather to maximize comfort and minimize misery! Water is always good to have along.
