WARWICK – In collaboration with the Town Of Warwick, the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum in Cornwall has expanded its popular Young Naturalist Preschool program to a second location at Mountain Lake Park in Warwick and is accepting students for the coming 2023-2024 school year. Located at 46 Bowen Road, Mountain Lake Park has been the home of children’s programs and camps for many years.
The Warwick based Young Naturalist program would have the same goals and philosophical grounding as the existing Young Naturalist Preschool which has been operating since 1995 at the 177 acre Outdoor Discovery Center in Cornwall.
The program includes a nature-based curriculum with a focus on nature play and stewardship that includes opportunities to explore nature, art, and science, in deeper, more meaningful ways. The Young Naturalist Preschool is an active, hands-on learning experience where children hone the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills that are crucial to their development, as well as their success in future school experiences and in life beyond.
According to Lead Teacher and Site Manager Amanda Merritt, “A typical day might involve exploring the concept of volume by pouring water in the sensory table, practicing letter-writing with a stick in the mud, learning to respect others, both other humans and other living beings, by taking turns gently holding a millipede found on the trail, and practicing motor skills by moving, stacking, and building with rocks and sticks. We write and draw on paper, but we go so far beyond 8.5′ x 11′!”
Two classes are offered: Cottontails: a morning mixed-age class for 3 and 4 year-olds. Otters: an afternoon mixed-age class for 3 and 4 year-olds You may choose any 2, 3, 4, or all 5 days for both classes. Visit hhnm.org or call (845) 534-5506 ext 204 for more information and registration.
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