School and Group Programs at Arcadia

Arcadia has over 700 acres of protected land which includes vernal pools, mixed deciduous and conifer forests, marsh, hedgerow, grassland fields and floodplain forest.

Nature Nursery School
Field Trips
Classroom and Community Visits
Scouts at Arcadia
For More Information

Nature Nursery School

The Arcadia Nature Nursery School was founded in 1976 on the premise that happy and rewarding early childhood experiences with nature form the foundation for the development of creative, caring and aware adults. Children enrolled at the Arcadia Nature Nursery School are provided with a continuing and meaningful relationship with the natural world. Our goal is to foster the children's ability to work both independently and cooperatively, and to act in a caring and responsible way towards their environment, themselves, and others.

Class size is limited to eighteen children in each session. The academic year runs for thirty-six weeks from mid-September to mid-June. Vacations coincide with the Easthampton school calendar.

The Arcadia Nature Nursery School is certified by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care . For more information about our staff and program, please download our brochure (PDF 50KB) or application for admission (PDF 20KB). You can contact us by calling us at 413-584-3009; to leave a message with the Nursery school staff, dial *818.

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Field Trips

Field trips to Arcadia are available to school and community groups on Thursday mornings throughout the school year, with at least one month's advance notice. Programs may be booked on other days with more advance notice. Please call the sanctuary to schedule.

Topics and recommended ages are listed below, and we would be happy to work with teachers to create a program which best meets their needs. Field trips may be 90 minutes in length for a fee of $7 per child, or 3 hours for $12 per child. There is no fee for chaperones.

Trip Themes:	Intended for Grades:
Sensory Awareness	K-5
Forest Discovery	K-7
Animals in Winter	1-6
Signs of Wildlife	1-6
Ponding	1-6
New England Flora	4-8
Insects	K-6
Adaptations	2-6
Night Hikes	4-9

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Classroom and Community Visits

A Naturalist can come to visit your school or community group during the school year at a rate of $100/hr. We offer programs on a variety of themes that can be adapted to the ages and needs of your group of up to 40 people. Some involve slide shows, demonstrations or other activities. Programs may take place Tuesday-Sunday, including evenings. Please call at least one month in advance to schedule.

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Scouts at Arcadia Boy and girl scouts may schedule a program to meet the needs of a natural history/science related badge. Fees and hours depend upon the requirements of the badges. Scout groups may also sign up for overnight programs to meet the requirements of a badge. Back to top For More Information For more information please call Arcadia at 413-584-3009 or 800-710-4550. Back to top

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