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Maria Mitchell Association | Family

This summer, join us for WEEKEND WONDERS!

July 10 through August 21, 2010

9:30AM to 11AM

Members $15 per adult/child pair; Non-members $25/pair.  $10 per extra adult or child. Pre-registration required by calling the MMA at 508.228.9198.  

Join us on a Saturday morning before you head to the beach for the afternoon.  We will be teaming with other Nantucket organizations, such as the Artists Association of Nantucket, Nantucket Land Council, or the Linda Loring Nature Foundation to bring you and your family a new and unique family-oriented activity each Saturday.  Activities range from sketching with artists at our Aquarium to help create a celebration of nature on Nantucket, observing an osprey nest, investigating a kettle pond, or hunting for butterflies.  

 Artists Association of Nantucket (AAN), Linda Loring Nature Foundation (LLNF), Nantucket Land Council (NLC), Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA)

Schedule and Themes

July 10 at the MMA Aquarium, Washington Street

Program is with: AAN, LLNF, NLC, and MMA

  • Waterworld! Participants will learn about the life along the harborfront as they seine, take short marine and beachcombing walks along the beach, test the water quality of the harbor, create works of art based on the setting, and look for bird life.
  • Be prepared to get wet, wear appropriate footwear and clothing, and bring sunblock.  Bring a hat.

July 17 at the LLNF, 110 Eel Point Road

  • Program is with: AAN and LLNF
  • Photographing the Natural World: Participants will walk and observe birds, butterflies, and other natural subjects, recording what they see with photographs and nature journaling.  Participants will also learn about some of the points to consider when uploading and editing their photographs.
  • Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing, and bring sunblock and bug spray.  Bring a hat.
  • Participants should bring their own digital camera.

July 24 Meet at MMA at 9:15 to Travel to a Kettle Pond

  • Program is with: NLC and MMA
  • Four wheel drives may be necessary.  Please meet at the MMA by 9:15 where we may have to carpool to visit our site.
  • Don’t Pout, We are Going to a Pond:  Participants will investigate a kettle pond – the Pout Ponds specifically – by seining and observing the aquatic life through microscopes with NLC and MMA staff.  We will also investigate the geology of the area.
  • Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing, and bring sunblock and bug spray.

July 31 Meet at Miacomet Golf Club Parking Lot

  • Program is with: NLC and AAN
  • Wild Forever: After investigating the wildflowers in the area, the group will press some of the samples collected and create collages which can be taken home.
  • Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing, and bring sunblock and bug spray.

August 7  Meet at the LLNF, 110 Eel Point Road

  • Program is with: NLC and LLNF: This program can enroll more than 20 people.
  • Things with Wings!  Participants will investigate all things with wings as we hike through the grounds of the Linda Loring Nature Foundation. 
  • Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing, and bring sunblock and bug spray.  Wear a hat.

August 14  Meet at the MMA’s Natural Science Museum at Hinchman House, 7 Milk Street

  • Program is with AAN and MMA
  • Icky Sticky Bugs and Reptiles: Join the MMA and the AAN as we investigate what reptiles and insects inhabit the island, including Black Widows, Burying Beetles, and Milk Snakes.  We will then create a mural based on the investigations.
  • Please wear clothing that can get dirty.

August 21 Meet at MMA by 9:15 and we will travel to The Creeks together

  • Program is with LLNF and MMA: This program can enroll more than 20 people.
  • Fins and Feathers: participants will explore the creeks at Monomoy.  We will seine to see what aquatic life is present and observe the birds as they search for food.
  • Be prepared to get wet, wear appropriate footwear and clothing, and bring sunblock.  Wear a hat.

About Our Family Programs

Current research in the field of environmental education shows that when families pursue outdoor education together, learning is enhanced for all members of the family. MMA offers a variety of family classes and workshops through the summer Discovery program and throughout the year. 

Program topics are based on season so at holiday time, the family could be making ornaments from nature’s bounty, in the windy season there are programs to learn about harnessing the wind, and walks in late winter and early spring focus on the antics of migrating birds and their courtship rituals. If you can’t find the program to meet your developing interest, the MMA staff can help design one with you. Contact Janet Schulte for details at (508) 228-9198.