2023 Summer Program
- Mon, Jun 26 - Jun 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Designed for ages 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15
- 350.00 per child
- By Josiah Venter, Visiting Artist/Educator
East Rock park was established 140 years ago to preserve and share the woodlands and wildlife that surround the river that powered Whitney’s machines. 400 acres rise from the tidal basin to a trap rock ridge with a panoramic view of Long Island sound.
Learn the arts of hiking: planning, map reading, orienteering, trail safety (sun, hydration, foot care,etc), responsible impact, proactive stewardship). Explore some of the Park’s 10 miles of trails. Use our brand new binoculars to get a closer look at birds and wildlife in the Park.
Learn the arts of the sketchbook: Journals help you see. Use your journal to to collect observations and questions. Learn tricks for measuring and techniques for drawing. (You do not have to be a natural artist to record nature artfully.) Learn to use field books to guide your observations. Focus your curiosity: turtles, wild berries, eels? Or learn the rewards of meandering. Build your own and learn how to press flowers and leaves using a microwaveable press. A whole new way to work!
A sheltered space with microscopes, art supplies and a reference library will house activities for hours beset by rain. Guest naturalists will join some walks.
Josiah Venter is a lifelong resident of the East Rock Neighborhood and Head of Science at St. Thomas School in New Haven.
