NEWBURYPORT — Children will have a chance to explore the nature that surrounds them this fall through two separate recreation programs.
Wildlife biologist Joann Healey, who runs "'Wild About Nature and Science, Too," will conduct two nature programs for children through the Newburyport Youth Services fall session.
In "Sharing Nature with your Pre-Schooler," parents will accompany children ages 4 and 5 each Thursday as the group explores Moseley Woods and the Merrimack River.
During the six-week program, kids will hear a story based on that week's theme — birds, slugs, snails and salamanders, trees, Native Americans, animal tracks and signs — and use that theme for that week. The session will include nature walks, games, sensory awareness activities and a craft.
"It's very, very hands-on," Healey said.
The program has a $60 fee and runs from 9:30 to 11 a.m. until the end of October. While the first session is this week, registration is ongoing, Healey said.
A one-day program, "Fairy Houses," will run on Saturday, Sept. 27. Open to all ages, the program will run from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Moseley Woods.
The group will read the story, "Fairy Houses" by Tracey Kane, and then take a tour through the woods, finding supplies to build their own fairy house.
The houses are built using only natural items — pinecones, acorns, twigs, etc. — that are found on the ground. "The fairy house rule is that you don't collect anything living," Healey said.
The houses are set up in the woods — usually using the root system of the trees — and remnants of old fairy houses can often be spotted during a walk through the woods, Healey said.
"It's really caught on," she said.
Children under age 6 must be accompanied by a parent to take part in the program. The fee for the one-day session is $10.
For more information or to register for Healey's two programs, call 978-465-4434 or visit www.newburyportyouthservices.com.
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