Alley Pond Environmental Center Announces Upcoming Events and Programs

Children's Weekend Programs

Snowpeople
Ages listed below
Join us for a day of fun in the "snow". Even if there is no snow outside, we will have our own pretend snow inside. Make your own silly snowperson. This program includes games, songs, a snack, a craft, a nature walk and time with APEC's own snowy white animals. Participants must be toilet trained.
$12M/$16NM
Ages 3 - 4 limited to 12 participants
Sun. Jan. 23 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Ages 5 - 6 limited to 12 participants
Sun. Jan. 30 1:30 - 3:30 PM

Perfectly Penguin
Ages listed below
Wintertime is a great time to appreciate how perfectly penguins are adapted to life in the snow. Stories, photos and actual penguin feathers are used to explore how these lovable birds survive and raise chicks in the freezing cold. We will meet live animals. A snack and craft are included. Participants must be toilet trained.
$12M/$16NM
Ages 3 - 4 limited to 12 participants
Sun. Feb. 13 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Ages 5 - 6 limited to 12 participants
Sat. Feb. 27 1:30 - 3:30 PM

Bear Necessities
Ages listed below
What animal features are necessary for living in the snow and ice? Let's study polar bears and find out! We will learn the bear facts through story time, experiments, a craft and more! This program includes a snack, live animals and a nature walk (weather permitting). Participants must be toilet trained.
$12M/$16NM
Age 3 - 4 limited to 12 participants
Sun. March 13 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Ages 5 - 6 limited to 12 participants
Sun. March 27 1:30 - 3:30 PM

Children's Nature Photography
Ages 6-11
Children will be introduced to the basics of composition and nature photography rules while using disposable cameras. During the first class they will practice their newly acquired skills, taking photographs during a nature walk on APEC's trails. During the second class the children will create frames to mount their favorite pictures. Film developing and all materials included. Limited to 10 participants.
$48M/$54NM
Saturdays, March 27 and April 10, 10:30 AM -12:00 PM

Young Chefs
Ages 7 - 10
Kitchen magic begins at APEC! Your child will experience the pleasure of making their very own tasty French toast and hot cocoa with coconut snowballs to warm their bellies. All materials included. Limited to 8 participants.
$15M/$19NM
Sat., Jan. 30 1:30 - 3:00

Valentine Treats
Ages 7 - 10
Young chefs will prepare and grill up delicious heart shaped grilled cheese sandwiches and wash them down with healthy fruit, energy smoothies. All materials included. Limited to 8 participants.
$15M/$19NM
Sat., Feb. 13 1:30 - 3:00

Mother/Daughter Natural Facials
Ages 7 and up
Come and enjoy the skin rejuvenating benefits of nature! With soothing music and sweet scented candles creating a relaxing atmosphere, mothers and daughters will combine natural products such as honey, crushed almonds & egg whites to cleanse and soften their skin. Remember to wear comfortable clothes! A healthy snack and all materials included.
Limited to 5 mother/daughter pairs.
$16M/$20NM
Sat., March 6 10:30 - 12:00

Tracking Winter Wildlife
Ages 8-12
Scat, tracks and other clues are left behind as animals travel through the park; join us as we walk the trails of Alley Pond Park looking for clues of winter wildlife. Students will make their very own animal track to take home at the end of the class. We will take a walk rain or shine, so be sure to dress appropriately (and be prepared to get dirty) and wear comfortable shoes. In case of severe weather, entire program will run indoors.
$13M/$17NM
Saturday Feb. 6, 10:30 - 12:30 pm

Animal Care Trainee
Ages 8-12
Would you like to help us care for APEC's animals? This program teaches children about
the interesting job of an animal caretaker. Children will have hands-on experience in
feeding, brushing, cleaning and learning all about the needs of APEC's animals. Snack
and animal care trainee certificate included! Limited to 8 participants.
$12M/$16NM
Saturday Jan. 16, 10-12 pm
Sunday Jan. 24, 10-12 pm
Saturday Feb 13, 10-12 pm
Sunday Mar. 21, 10-12 pm

Mad Scientists
Ages 8-12
Calling all scientists!! Put on your thinking caps and join us as we answer important environmental questions with fun and easy experiments. Learn about your environment through studies and tests, some can be done with simple household supplies. Limited to 8 participants. Snack included.
$15M/$19NM

Global Warming
Saturday Jan. 9, 10:30-12:30 pm

Acid Rain
Saturday Feb. 27, 10:30-12:30 pm

Owl Pellet Dissections
Sunday Mar. 14, 10:30-12:30 pm

Field Biology High School Internship
Free competitive internship; open to all high sophomores, juniors and seniors interested in environmental studies. Join us as we explore the trails of APEC armed with field guides, experimental apparatuses and our brains. Please call for more information and our application or visit our website (http://www.alleypond.com/education/fbi.html). Admission is FREE, but acceptance into the program is required in order to attend.
Spring 2010(application due February 1st)
Sat., 9am-12pm Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27, Apr. 10, 17

Summer 2010 (application due June 8th)
Thurs., 9:30-12:30 pm July 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug., 5, 12

After School Programs

Nature Club
Pre-k (Age 4 by December 31, 2009)
Nature Club is designed to meet the needs of young science and nature buffs. This class utilizes animals, nature and cooperative learning to reinforce children's school readiness skills while providing extra enrichment in the sciences. Activities include free play, story time, games, crafts, live animals and a snack. 12 participants.
10 sessions $120M/$140NM
Wednesday 3:15 - 4:45 Jan. 13, 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10, 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24

Junior Nature Kids
Grades K - 2
Get wild each Wednesday at Alley Pond! Junior Nature Kids explore their environment with all five senses through games, crafts, learning activities and nature walks. Help care for animals and better understand secrets such as camouflage. Investigate the mysteries of animals and plants up-close after school. Snack included.
10 sessions $120M/$140NM
Wednesday 3:30 - 4:45 Jan. 13, 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10, 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24

FAMILY & ADULT PROGRAMS

AN EVENING WITH THE STARS

REACH FOR THE STARSAstronomy Programs with Mark Freilich
Saturday, January 16, 7:00-9:00 PM
Saturday, February 20, 7:-9:00 PM
Saturday, March 13, 7:00-9:00 PM
FEE: for each session $10.00 per adult member, $12 per adult non-member, and $7.00 for children ages 7-12 (includes handout information packet)

Three separate but equally great sessions! Understand and appreciate the mystery and beauty of the universe with astronomer Mark Freilich. Learn about and view the winter constellations Orion Nebular, the Pleiades Star Cluster, and Deep Space Phenomenon. These programs comprise an indoor lecture on basic astronomy and outdoor viewing with a professional telescope. Participants are welcome to bring their own telescopes. Dress warm!
Experience different and exciting viewings at each event!

KNITTING CIRCLE
Join APEC's very own knitting circle! We welcome knitters (or stitchers or any kind) of all ages and skill levels! Come to share a new project, learn a new skill, or just knit with friends. Brand new to knitting? That's okay! We're more than happy to help you get started. Call or e-mail to inquire about meeting times; speak to Liz at ext. 200 or emcglinchey@alleypond.com! We will meet a few times a month, and there will be a fee of $3M/$5NM per meeting.

FAMILY NATURE WALK
Saturday, March 20, meet at APEC at 3:00
FEE: $3 for members, $5 for non-members

Spring has sprung! Join APEC Educator for a nature walk on the wetland trails of Alley Pond Park. Bring the whole family along to soak in the early spring flora and fauna that can be found right here in northeast Queens.

Special Events

Tea and Treasures
Sunday, February 28, 3 pm
FEE: $10 per person
Let's have some old fashioned fun to chase away the winter blues! Join us for tea and bid on some terrific baskets, trays, and boxes of fun treasures.

APEC SQUARE DANCE
Saturday, March 20
Doors Open at 6:30pm Dance starts promptly at 7PM until 9PM
FEE: Adults: $10 members, $12 non-members, Children ages 7-12: $8 each (Children must be with paying adult)
REGISTRATION: Please pre-register by calling 718-229-4000
Join us for a fun evening of dancing with Square Dance Caller Jim Emory. Learn to Do-Si-Do, Promenade, and Swing-Your-Partner. Beginners are welcome. It's fun and friendship set to music. Try this fun way to exercise together. Partners are not required. Wear sneakers or comfortable shoes.

"Walk For APEC"
Sunday April 18, 9:00 AM
AGES: all
FEE: $10 per walker, children under 6 FREE
Please check back soon for additional details.

APEC is hosting a BLOOD DRIVE
Tuesday, April 20, 2:00PM - 7:30PM
AGES: 16 years and older
Your donation will help to save up to THREE lives. Our community hospitals need your help. Please share this lifesaving gift! Thank you for caring!
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please contact Liz at emcglinchey@alleypond.com or 718-229-4000 x200