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School & Group Programs
Explore the Natural World with Mass Audubon's South Shore Sanctuaries!
School Programs
Education through Exploration
The South Shore Sanctuaries offer a variety of environmental education programs for school children in Pre-K through fifth grade. Our education staff understands the importance of developing a child's sense of curiosity and wonder about the natural world. To help enhance these kinds of experiences, our programs are designed to guide inquiry through hands-on activities, while using exploratory teaching techniques. We strive to cultivate a greater connection to the local environment, as well as foster an appreciation for the outdoors that continues far into the future.
Diverse Habitats, Diverse Learning Opportunities
The variety of habitats that encompass the three South Shore Sanctuary sites, in addition to local beaches and conservation land, provide for a unique learning experience outside the classroom. A field trip to one of these locations allows the opportunity for first-hand observation of plants and wildlife, a closer study of how adaptations are necessary for survival, and initiates thinking on the elaborate way all things are connected. A classroom visit will provide a similar, investigative, hands-on learning experience.
An Outdoor Classroom that Meets Standards
Our programs provide support to teachers by helping align program content with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and are designed to meet the standards of varying age groups. For more details on how programs address specific frameworks, please contact us.
For complete descriptions of our school program offerings, please download our school program brochure. (PDF 387 K)
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Whooo is Oliver the Owl?
Oliver is a stuffed great horned owl who is using his vast knowledge of the habitats of the South Shore to teach the elementary school students of Duxbury, Hull and Scituate about their communities. Thanks to the local cultural councils in each of those towns, these town-specific learning programs were developed during this past year, and are now being implemented. Students are challenged to find Oliver in a specific habitat or historic site in their town. Given three written clues and a photograph by their teachers, the students decipher the riddle and then are given follow-up information for each habitat, its residents or its local historical significance as it relates to the past uses of the land.
Oliver can come to your town, too! The project requires minimal funding for community specialization which could come from a local cultural council grant, a parent-teacher organization, private donations or many other sources. And Oliver's no dummy. His courses meet numerous learning standards in the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks for third graders.
For more information contact us at southshore@massaudubon.org or 781-837-9400.
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Birthday Parties
The South Shore Sanctuaries provides a beautiful setting for family and friends to celebrate that special event. If your child is fascinated by nature, loves the outdoors, or is curious about critters, try something different that all ages will enjoy. Download our Birthday Party brochure to learn more about our children’s nature-themed parties.
Programs are available for adults too. Enjoy a hayride at the Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary. Our naturalist will join you as you travel around the sanctuary on our hay wagon. Learn about the wildlife that lives at the sanctuary and take in the view from atop Fox Hill. Hay wagon can accommodate up to 30 passengers. One-hour hayride is $125 per wagon.
For a smaller group, take a van tour with one of our naturalists and learn about the cultural and natural history of your favorite local site.
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Scout Groups
The South Shore Sanctuaries offers nature-based exploration programs for both boy and girl scouts aged 5-11. We can assist you in earning a specific badge requirement or customize a program to meet your needs. Eagle Scout projects are also available. Programs are offered after school or on Saturdays. Please see our Scout Brochure for more information. Back to top
For More Information
To schedule a program or learn more, please contact our education coordinator at 781-837-9400, or e-mail at aquist@massaudubon.org.
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