Growing Minds

Growing Minds Youth Programs

Growing Minds is a program series for kids and families that inspire a sense of wonder about the natural world within the beautiful setting of the Morris Arboretum. The classes offer children and their caregivers the opportunity to connect meaningfully with nature, through a wide variety of creative and educational programs. Take a look and sign up for these programs that are certain to be enriching, fun, and memorable!

 

Select the class(es) for which you wish to register:

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Quantity and Pricing
Seeds to Sprouts 1 - Autumn Adventures (Sold Out)
Pam Newitt
Educator and Founder, Nature By The Yard

Is your toddler a budding naturalist? Join us this fall for a series of outdoor adventures designed
to introduce children, ages 2 to 4, and their caregivers to the wonders of the natural world! Each session will
include guided exploration through the Arboretum and a craft to take home. Children must be
walking and accompanied by an adult. Please dress for the outdoors and for the weather. Class size
is limited to the first 15 registrants.
Our most popular children’s series! Sign up for one or both sessions - each class is a new adventure!

Session I- Six Mondays: September 12, 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Classes scheduled every week on Monday starting 9/12/2016 and ending 10/17/2016 at 10:30AM
 
Attendees: 1 $125.00 ea.
Attendees: 1 $115.00 ea.
Attendees: 1 $155.00 ea.
Attendees: 1 $145.00 ea.

Kids Click
Kim Soles
Photographer and Founder, Indigo Nature Arts

This six-week photography workshop offers kids the opportunity to get out in nature, be creative, and have fun while capturing the Morris Arboretum’s changing landscape of fall! Kids will learn the basics of lighting, color, texture, composition, and depth of field. They will also gain knowledge of how photographers make a living and will be inspired with assignments they can choose from. Our last session ends with a presentation of the child’s work on screen. They will gain experience in presenting and the basics of a photographic critique. Children must have their own camera, know how to use it and make sure that it has been charged before arriving to class. Film cameras are welcome. Smartphones are acceptable in cases where a camera is not
available.

Six Tuesdays, September, 13, 20, 27 - October 4, 11, 18
4 - 5:30pm
Classes scheduled every week on Tuesday starting 9/13/2016 and ending 10/18/2016 at 4:00PM
 
Attendees: 1 $100.00 ea.
Attendees: 1 $120.00 ea.
Attendees: 1 $100.00 ea.

Nature Sleuths
Pam Newitt
Educator and Founder, Nature By The Yard

Autumn is a wonderful time for children to explore the great outdoors, developing their intellectual curiosity while having fun in nature! Join us to take a close look at trees, birds, and other wildlife that call the Morris Arboretum home. Each session will focus on a particular topic of the natural world, delving into how it fits into the Arboretum’s web of life. One week we may use binoculars to find migrating birds, while another week we may follow the colorful progress of the leaves’ changing fall colors; all within the safe confines of the Arboretum’s trails. Then back inside, we will create a take-home art project related to our outdoor adventure.

Four Sundays: September 25, - October 2, 9, 16
2 - 3 p.m.
Classes scheduled every week on Sunday starting 9/25/2016 and ending 10/16/2016 at 2:00PM
 
Attendees: 1 $80.00 ea.
Attendees: 1 $100.00 ea.
Attendees: 1 $80.00 ea.

Fairy and Gnome Gardening
Pilar Rivera
Educator, Academy of Natural Sciences

Create your own fairy or gnome garden in this fun, hands-on class! Together we will go on a brief nature walk as we gather fallen plant material for our fairy or gnome to enjoy in their garden. In the classroom, we will go step-by-step as each child creates his or her own unique garden complete with live plants, whimsical toadstools, and a magical resident fairy or gnome! All above listed materials are provided. Feel free to bring additional accessories from home. Please dress appropriately to work with soil, glitter, and glue.

Tuesday. October 4
1 - 2:30 p.m.
Single class scheduled on 10/4/2016 at 1:00PM
 
Attendees: 1 $35.00 ea.
Attendees: 1 $40.00 ea.
Attendees: 1 $35.00 ea.

Storytime Nature Yoga
Deirdre Vezirov Kilkenny
Certified Yoga Instructor, Springboard Studio

Join us for a four-week session of special kid-friendly yoga, as we explore movement together through nature-focused stories and songs. Class begins with circle-rhymes and centering warmups, then we move to a book with some songs sprinkled in, and finish with sweet relaxation! Come prepared to stretch and learn some fun poses with your little one. Bring your yoga mat if you have one, or a towel. If the weather permits, we can hold class outdoors!

Four Wednesdays: October 12, 19, 26, November 2
10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Classes scheduled every week on Wednesday starting 10/12/2016 and ending 11/2/2016 at 10:30AM
 
Attendees: 1 $55.00 ea.
Attendees: 1 $60.00 ea.
Attendees: 1 $55.00 ea.

Art Exploration in Nature
Rachel Applegate
Art Educator
Let's create art inspired by nature! This four-week series will engage kids in discovery and
creativity. We will observe our natural world, explore different art materials, and make
connections. Each session will include a walk through the Arboretum, a story or an introduction
to an artist's work, and time for making art. Get ready to draw, paint, print, build, and play!

Four Thursdays: October 13, 20, 27, November 3 Members: $85
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Classes scheduled every week on Thursday starting 10/13/2016 and ending 11/3/2016 at 10:30AM
 
Attendees: 1 $85.00 ea.
Attendees: 1 $100.00 ea.
Attendees: 1 $85.00 ea.

Little Explorers
Terry Cinque
Educator and Morris Arboretum Volunteer Guide

Do you and your little one(s) like coming to the Arboretum for Storytime? Do you enjoy being outdoors? Join us after Storytime for a short guided walk to explore the Arboretum and participate in fun, nature-themed activities.

Fridays after Free Storytime: October 14, 28 & November 11, 18
11:15 a.m. - 12 noon
Irregular classes scheduled starting 10/14/2016 and ending 11/18/2016 at 11:15AM
 
Attendees: 1 $40.00 ea.
Attendees: 1 $45.00 ea.
Attendees: 1 $40.00 ea.

Free Storytime at the Arboretum, October 14,2016
Tegan Conner
Youth Services Librarian, Wissahickon Valley Public Library
Amy Ambler
Children’s Librarian, Free Library of Springfield Township

Join us for fun and engaging reading sessions with local librarians designed for children ages 1 thru 5. Each session is tailored to the changing seasons and complements the natural setting of the Arboretum. Storytime is held outdoors in nice weather, at the Outdoor Children’s Classroom, next to the Widener Visitor Center. In the case of inclement weather, Storytime is held in the Upper Gallery at the Visitor Center.

Fridays: September 2
10:30 -- 11:15 a.m.
Storytime is free for members. For non-members, Storytime is free with Arboretum admission. Advance registration is required for each session.
Single class scheduled on 10/14/2016 at 10:30AM
 
Attendees: 1 No Charge
Attendees: 1 No Charge
Attendees: 1 No Charge
Attendees: 1 No Charge

Seeds to Sprouts 2 - Autumn Adventures
Pam Newitt
Educator and Founder, Nature By The Yard
Is your toddler a budding naturalist? Join us this fall for a series of outdoor adventures designed
to introduce children and their caregivers to the wonders of the natural world! Each session will
include guided exploration through the Arboretum and a craft to take home. Children must be
walking and accompanied by an adult. Please dress for the outdoors and for the weather. Class size
is limited to the first 15 registrants.
Our most popular children’s series! Sign up for one or both sessions – each class is a new adventure!

Session II- Six Mondays: October 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, 28
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Classes scheduled every week on Monday starting 10/24/2016 and ending 11/28/2016 at 10:30AM
 
Attendees: 1 $125.00 ea.
Attendees: 1 $115.00 ea.
Attendees: 1 $155.00 ea.

Free Storytime at the Arboretum, October 28, 2016
Tegan Conner
Youth Services Librarian, Wissahickon Valley Public Library
Amy Ambler
Children’s Librarian, Free Library of Springfield Township

Join us for fun and engaging reading sessions with local librarians designed for children ages 1 thru 5. Each session is tailored to the changing seasons and complements the natural setting of the Arboretum. Storytime is held outdoors in nice weather, at the Outdoor Children’s Classroom, next to the Widener Visitor Center. In the case of inclement weather, Storytime is held in the Upper Gallery at the Visitor Center.

Fridays: September 2
10:30 -- 11:15 a.m.
Storytime is free for members. For non-members, Storytime is free with Arboretum admission. Advance registration is required for each session.
Single class scheduled on 10/28/2016 at 10:30AM
 
Attendees: 1 No Charge
Attendees: 1 No Charge
Attendees: 1 No Charge
Attendees: 1 No Charge

Kids Holiday Centerpiece
Cheryl Wilks
Floral Educator, Florist, and Owner of Flowers on Location

Design a beautiful fresh flower and evergreen centerpiece to use on your family’s holiday table or to give as a gift. Working with fresh evergreens is fragrant and festive, and you will learn about fresh flower arranging as you produce your unique creation. To make it extra special you can add a candle, pine cones, ribbons, and flowers. Your finished arrangement will last for a minimum of two weeks. Success is guaranteed! This enjoyable educational workshop is for kids from six to twelve
years old. Bring a box to take home your creation.

Sunday, December 18
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Single class scheduled on 12/18/2016 at 11:00AM
 
Attendees: 1 $35.00 ea.
Attendees: 1 $40.00 ea.
Attendees: 1 $35.00 ea.

2016 Morris Arboretum · 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118 · 215-247-5777