For Children
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.
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
Knee-High Nature Series
Join Lauren Cole-Johnson in this preschool program designed to increase children's awareness of, curiosity about and appreciation of the natural world through investigation, creative and interactive play and direct outdoor experiences. Dress appropriately for indoor and outdoor activity. Member child $2, nonmember child $5, (caregiver free). Pre-registration required, limit of 16. Meet at the Gatehouse.
Animals in Winter, Tuesday, January 6, 10-11:30am
Examine the various strategies animals use to survive winter's harsh weather.
Track Detectives, Tuesday, February 3, 10-11:30am
Children use tracks, patterns and traces to discover animal winter habits and activities.
Owls, Tuesday, March 3, 10-11:30am
Discover the unique adaptations of owls--what and how they eat and how they communicate and hunt under the cover of darkness.
Frolicking Frogs, Tuesday, April 7, 10-11:30am
Learn everything about frogs, from eggs to adults. |
 |
Tell me a Story...About New Hampshire: Sugaring
Monday, March 16, 10-11:30am
Where does maple syrup come from? Who "invented" maple syrup? This preschooler program includes stories and fun facts about maple syrup, a visit to a tapped sugar maple and related craft projects. Dress for indoor and outdoor activity. Pre-registration required, limit of 16. Free, to register call 603-763-4789 ext. 3. Meet at the Gatehouse. Sponsored by the NH Humanities Council. |
Adventure Learning with LSPA
This exciting and hand-on series of programs explores the ecological wonders of The Fells. Lake Sunapee Protective Association Education Director Kathleen Stowell combines stories, song, crafts, hiking and scavenger hunts to teach about our natural world. Sign up for one or all three. Fells, LSPA members and children free, non-members adults $6. Limit 30. Pre-registration not required, check-in and pay at Welcome Kiosk. Meet at The Fells Main House Veranda.
Co-sponsored by the Lake Sunapee Protective Association.
Nature Detectives-for ages 3-5 with caregivers
Tuesdays, July 7, 14, 21; 10-11:30am
Watershed Investigators-for children ages 6-9
Wednesdays July 8, 15, 22; 10am-noon |
 |
Recreation and Ecology Camp at The Fells
Sponsored by the Town of Newbury
Details TBD. |
 |
Children's Art Camps
For ages 6-11 these camps focus on nurturing the artistic creativity of the campers while exploring and learning about our natural world. Developing awareness and observation skills is intertwined with experimenting with a variety of artistic techniques and materials. Culminates each week with a student art show and reception. Students bring completed art work and all supplies home. Directed by Lawre Goodnow, Rhode Island School of Design trained. Parents, please provide daily snacks, water and sunscreen. Meet at the Gatehouse. Limit of 12, to register call 603-763-4789 ext. 3. Members $150, non-members $175. Click here [PDF] "Art Camp Registration" to print a registration form.
Sculpture Explorations
Sculptural projects from clay, wood, stone and paper explore animal forms based on the 2009 All Creatures sculpture exhibit at The Fells.
Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24, 9am-12:30pm
Monday, August 10 through Friday, August 14, 9am-12:30pm
Wildlife Art
Focus is on depicting indigenous animals in the landscape, working with acrlic and pastels, exploring artists such as James Audubon and Martin Johnson.
Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31, 9am-12:30pm
Monday, August 17 through Friday, August 21, 9am-12:30pm
|
 |
Teen Artists
This small group of students uses the beauty of The Fells for inspiration. Students will follow an idea or sketch through to completion, learning composition and technique through discussion, examination of work and demonstration. Sign up for one or all four sessions. All abilities welcome, limit of 6 per session. Designed for ages 12 to 15. To register call 603-763-4789 ext. 3. Members $75, nonmembers $85. For additional information contact Lawre Goodnow at Meet at The Fells Main House classroom.
July 21 and 23--Drawing in Pencil
Students use a variety of pencils to achieve desired effects of black and white with shades of gray.
July 28 and 30--Pastels
Students learn to create light effects using color.
August 11 and 13--Painting with Acrylics-Thick and Textural
Students use a palette knife to create a textured painting.
August 18 and 20--Painting with Acrylics-Washes and Gestures
Students create movement and mood using quick strokes and wash applications of acrylic paint. |
 |
Nature Tales
Wednesday, August 12, 11am-noon
Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy story time with Kathleen Stowell, LSPA Education Director. Stories, outdoor exploration and fun for young children and their caregivers. Fells, LSPA members and children free, non-members adults $6. Limit 30. Pre-registration not required, check-in and pay at Welcome Kiosk. Meet at The Fells Main House Veranda.
Co-sponsored by the Lake Sunapee Protective Association.
|
 | |
Tell me a Story...About New Hampshire: Farming and Harvesting
Monday, September 14, 10-11:30am
Where did our food come from before we had supermarkets to shop in or tractors to plow our fields? Enjoy stories and crafts with Lauren Cole-Johnson and visit some old stone walls at The Fells. Dress for indoor and outdoor activity. Pre-registration required, limit of 16. Free, to register call 603-763-4789 ext. 3. Meet at the Gatehouse. Sponsored by the NH Humanities Council. |
 |
Tell me a Story...About New Hampshire: Old Fashioned Christmas in New Hampshire
Monday, December 7, 10-11:30am
Enjoy stories and crafts from Christmas past with Lauren Cole-Johnson. Decorate a Fells Christmas tree for the birds. Dress for indoor and outdoor activity. Pre-registration required, limit of 16. Free, to register call 603-763-4789 ext. 3. Meet at the Gatehouse. Sponsored by the NH Humanities Council. |
 |
|
|