After our infamously mild winter, it's hard to believe that a season change is almost upon us, but it's true: spring is just around the corner! Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest has planned a host of fascinating programs for families and children to celebrate this time of year and the re-blooming of Louisville's glorious landscape.
On the first Saturday of every month, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, visitors can enjoy the much-loved "Pollywog Play Parties," which combine creativity and scientific exploration to inform young nature-lovers about different ecological themes. This Saturday, March 3, the theme will be "Our Friendly Trees," and pollywogs will have the opportunity (through stories, songs, and interactive activities) to learn all about how trees make life sweeter and greener for their human neighbors. As an added treat, participants take home lessons at the end of the party for extended outdoor play and learning!
Pollywog Play Parties include indoor and outdoor activities, so make sure you and your child dress for the weather. They take place in the Education Center, and admission is $10 for Bernheim members and $15 for non-members. Registration and payment are required by 4:30 p.m. on the day prior to the program. Call (502)-955-8512 to reserve your spot in the pollywog pond, but make sure you do so ASAP, as space is limited and classes fill quickly!
Also taking place on the first and third Saturdays of every month are ECO (short for "Every Child Outdoors") Kids Discovery Days. These programs are open all day and, like the Pollywog Play Parties, encourage children to get outside, play, enjoy the fresh air of the Bernheim grounds, and learn about nature. On March 3, families have the opportunity to explore the discipline of "crytopzoology," or the study of hidden animals. Dive into the "On-Your-Own Challenge" in the Visitors Center, which includes a self-guided walk and scavenger hunt, and see how many hidden critters you can uncover to become a crypto-expert!
ECO Kids Discovery Days are free with admission to Bernheim (which is $5 per car for non-members) and take place in the Visitors Center. The "On-Your-Own Challenge" runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while various Discovery Stations are open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on either of these programs, visit the Bernheim homepage or call (502)-955-8512.
