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The Main House is now open weekends from 10am-4pm for historic guided tours.
Showing in our Gallery, the all new Art at The Fells, Celebrating NH Family Farms.
Displayed on the grounds and in the Shop explore the artistic expressions of sculptors George Sherwood and Stephen Kishel. Sculpture at The Fells.
Family Hay Day. August 14, 10am-3pm.
Rose Terrace June:
Author:   Mary Lou McCrave  
Posted: 2/16/07; 6:47:56 AM
Topic: For Children
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For Children

Nature Explorer Logo: Nature Explorer Activity Kits
Available year-round.
Snowshoes recommended for winter trail use.


Explore the woods and gardens of The Fells with our Nature Explorer Activity Kit! Topics include; Finding Your Way and Safety, Mammals, Birds and Insects, Spiders and Webs, Animal Tracks, Trees, Habitats, and Nature Journaling.

Twenty packs available, each containing binoculars, a magnifying glass, a NH animals track guide, an ecology-themed activity booklet (appropriate for grades K-4), a map, clipboard, and pen--all packed into a convenient backpack. Packs may be signed out at thje Gatehouse weekdays, 9am-4pm. Free use with Fells admission (deposit of drivers license or major credit card required, to be returned upon receipt of backpack and items). School groups click Here.



Fairy Village-1:

The Fells Fairy Village

Visit the Fairy Village, tucked in a woodland niche behind the Old Garden--just off the Wildflower Loop--a special place where families connect with nature. For as long as stories have been told, fairies have captured the imagination of the young and young at heart. Many houses make a village, build yours with natural found objects and leave for all--including the woodland fairies--to enjoy!







Questing at The Fells

Valley Quest uses treasure hunts to celebrate community, natural history, cultural sites, stories and special places. The Fells hosts a summer Valley Quest, one of over 200 in and around the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire and Vermont. Each quest is a set of rhyming clues that leads guests by and to a special natural or cultural place. Solve the riddle to find a treasure box. You can find The Fells Quest (also known as the Hay Refuge Quest) in Valley Quest: 89 Treasure Hunts in the Upper Valley (2001) and in the upcoming Valley Quest III: The Best of Valley Quest (2008). Copies of the Fells Quest are also available at The Fells Gatehouse. For more information on Valley Quest, visit www.vitalcommunities.org.

Calendar

Preschooler Nature Series

Children's Art in Nature Camp for ages 6-11

Valley Quest Season Kick-off Party
Saturday, May 1, 10am-noon
Learn about Valley Quests--treasure hunts that celebrate community, natural history, cultural sites, stories and special places! Join us at The Fells as Valley Questing season begins. Carve Quest stamps, complete the garden and woodland-based Fells Quest and learn about other exciting quests throughout the Upper Valley. Fun for the whole family. Meet at the Gatehouse. Free.

Trail-walk: Discovering Vernal Pools: A Walk for Families
Saturday, May 1, 1-2:30pm
The peep-peep-peep of Spring Peepers and the quacking of Wood Frogs can be heard in vernal pools when the woods awake in the spring! Bring the whole family for a learning adventure to one of The Fells vernal pools. Discover who lives in these temporary habitats and why they are so important. Follow Lake Sunapee Protective Association Education Director Kathleen Stowell into The Fells woodlands to explore this unique phenomenon. Waterproof footwear recommended. Fells and LSPA members free, nonmembers $6, families of two adults and two or more children $15. No registration required. Meet at the Welcome Kiosk. Rain or shine.

Adventure Learning with LSPA: Nature Detectives
Tuesdays, July 13, 20, and 27, 1-2:30pm
Join Kathleen Stowell, Lake Sunapee Protective Association Education Director, for hands-on nature adventure at The Fells for ages 3-5 with caregiver. Fells and LSPA members free, nonmembers pay daily admission. Reservations not required. Rain or shine. Meet on the Veranda. Co-sponsored by the Lake Sunapee Protective Association.

Adventure Learning with LSPA: Watershed Investigators
Wednesdays, July 14, 21, and 28, 1-2:30pm
Join Kathleen Stowell, Lake Sunapee Protective Association Education Director, for hands-on nature adventures at The Fells for ages 6-9. Fells and LSPA members free, nonmembers pay daily admission. Reservations not required. Meet on the Veranda. Co-sponsored by the Lake Sunapee Protective Association. Rain or Shine.

Newbury Recreation and Ecology Camp at the Fells
Monday-Friday, July 26-30, 9am-12:30pm
An outdoors based camp that features a combination of hiking, wetland and watershed ecology, fisheries biology and a day of fishing on Lake Sunapee. Offered for ages 6-13 this camp focuses on creating a love for the outdoors and a respect for the nature around us. Guest naturalists and scientists visit the camp throughout the week. For more info contact, Travis Dezotell, Newbury Parks and Recreation Department, 603-763-4940 x210, travis@newburynh.org.

Hay Day Family Festival
Saturday, August 14, 10am-3pm
A fun filled day for families of all ages. Enjoy live animals, children's games, demonstrations and food concessions.

Nature Tales
Tuesday, August 17, 11am-noon
Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy story time with LSPA Education Director Kathleen Stowell. Stories, outdoor exploration and fun for young children and their caregivers! Fells or LSPA members free, nonmembers pay daily admission. Reservations not required. Meet on the Veranda. Rain or shine. Co-sponsored by the Lake Sunapee Protective Association.

Dinosaur Exploration
Thursday, August 19, 1-3pm
Join Nancy and Glenn Walker as parent and child teams become paleontological detectives. Participants examine fossils and learn how they are exhumed and prepared. Children reconstruct a dinosaur skeleton and paint a mural to take home. Appropriate for ages 6-8. Members $16, nonmembers $20 (per parent/child team). Meet at the Gatehouse. Rain or shine.

Take a Child Outside Week
September 24-30
In cooperation with Take a Child Outside Week, an international program created to help and encourage children discover the natural world, The Fells offers "Bring a child, receive one free adult admission." All children free. Be part of this national movement and bring a child to The Fells to experience the beauty of our natural world. For more information see takeachildoutside

Trail-walk: Family Night Hike
Friday, October 1, 7-8:30pm (Rain date October 8)
Experience the adventure of a night-time walk on the trails at The Fells. Dave and Fay Barden are your guides and will assist you in exploring the mysteries of the night according to Native American legend. Skies and weather permitting, Tom Vannatta will conduct a brief session in astronomy. Refreshments served. Reservations not required. Meet at the Gatehouse. Members free, nonmembers $6, families of two adults and two or more children $15.

Trail-walk: Animals Preparing for Winter--A Walk for Families
Sunday, October 24, 1-2:30pm
Fall is time for our furry animal friends to prepare for winter! Explore the busy Fells' woodlands with LSPA Educator Kathleen Stowell. Learn how animals make ready for the long cold winter months ahead. Dress for hiking, waterproof footwear recommended. Reservations not required. Fells and LSPA members free, nonmembers $6, families of two adults and two or more children $15. Meet at the Gatehouse.

Christmas at The Fells for Children
November TBD

Preschooler Nature Series

 Made possible by support from the Lincoln Financial Foundation.

Art in Nature classes combine direct outdoor experiences with artistic media such as paint, clay, papier-mâché and print-making to increase children's awareness, curiosity, and appreciation of the natural world through opportunities for creative artistic expression. Class size of 16.
Knee-High Nature classes increase children's awareness, curiosity, and appreciation of the natural world through investigation, creative and interactive play, and direct outdoor experiences. Class size of 16.

See schedule below for dates and topics. Dress for indoor and outdoor activity, meets rain or shine. Member child $2, nonmember child $5, caregiver free.

Instructor Bio - Lauren Cole - Johnson
Since 2008, Lauren Cole-Johnson has taught in The Fells Knee High Nature program and the Tell Me a Story history preschooler storytime. Lauren received a B.A. in American Studies and a minor in Studio Art from Skidmore College. Her elementary school education and art experience includes working as a learning specialist and a ceramic studio assistant. As an educator for nine years and a mother of two children, Lauren has always admired the creative learning that occurs when children connect artistically with the natural world. Much of her enthusiasm for teaching, three-dimensional art, and passion for natural history was sparked as a child and continues as she shares the ecology of New Hampshire with her children and the children who attend her classes at The Fells.

Art in Nature
Meets at the Gatehouse on Tuesdays from 10-11am.

January 12 Snow Crystals! Participants create three-dimensional models of these incredible geometric beauties through a variety of media.

February 9 Animal Prints! Preschoolers explore animal tracks and track patterns and create animal track prints from clay and potato stamps.

March 9 Let's Get Wet! Children explore water in various forms including ice paintings and watercolors.

April 13 Bird Songs! Participants listen to birdsongs, develop a booklet of creative responses, and make a paper mache bird.

May 11 Honey: Bees and Bears! Preschoolers learn about the connection between flowers, honey, and bears and create sculpture out of beeswax.

Knee-High Nature Series
Meets at the Gatehouse on Tuesdays from 10-11:30am

September 14

October 12

November 9

Children's Art in Nature Camp--Four Elements:
Earth, Air, Water and Fire

(Designed for ages 6-11)


In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous. This year's theme is designed around Aristotle's view of the natural world, built on the four elements--earth, air, water and fire. Focus is on nurturing the artistic creativity of the campers while exploring and learning about our natural world. Hands-on exploration of natural features at The Fells will provide inspiration for student artwork as they create prints from four different printmaking methods; monoprint, collograph, blockprint and stamp or scupltural projects from clay, cloth, paper and other natural objects. Culminates with a student art show and reception. Directed by Rhode Island School of Design trained Lawre Goodnow. Students bring completed art work and all supplies home. Members $150, non-members $175. Class size of 12. Meets at the Gatehouse Monday through Friday , 9am-12:30pm.

  • Sculpture Explorations I: July 12-16

  • Sculpture Explorations II: August 2-6

  • Print Making I: July 19-23

  • Print Making II: August 9-13

(Please note that sessions I and II of each subject are identical, covering the same material.)

Register Now


Camp Refund Policy

Children's camps are planned months in advance, with funds committed for both staff and supplies. Camp weeks fill early, requiring The Fells to wait-list or decline other interested participants. Thus, a strict refund policy applies, with exceptions made only for personal emergencies.

Such refunds requested one month or more in advance may be fully refundable, less a $15 administrative fee. Refunds requested two to four weeks in advance are only refundable if The Fells is able to fill the vacancy with another participant. A $15 administrative fee will be deducted from any refund given.

No refunds are available for cancellations made less than two weeks prior to the start of the participant's camp week.

We appreciate your understanding of our financial and programmatic needs to enforce this policy.
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The Fells • 456 Route 103A • PO Box 276 • Newbury, New Hampshire 03255
603-763-4789 • www.thefells.org • info@thefells.org