Poughkeepsie… Dutchess County Parks has curated a great lineup of naturalist programming for residents of all ages this spring season. There is something for everyone with archery, park palette art sessions and eaglet nature program. Program registration opens Tuesday, March 22nd for spring sessions at www.DutchessNY.gov/ParksEducation.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “With the weather warming up, we are excited for a great lineup of our popular naturalist programming. Our spring program schedule offers fun and educational opportunities to try new activities while enjoying the scenery at the beautiful Bowdoin Park. Don’t wait to register, these programs will fill up fast!”
Spring Naturalist Program Schedule
Adult Park Palette will be held on Thursday, June 9th at Bowdoin Park on the deck at the Maple Knoll Lodge 5:30-7pm and is open to ages 18 and up. Create a spectacular nature themed sunset as seen from the park. Cost is $12 (includes all supplies). Limit: 12 participants.
Park Palette Art Series for ages 10-18 will be held at Bowdoin Park from 3:30-5pm in Pavilion 5. These classes take students through a step-by-step learning opportunity to create nature themed paintings. Students can choose one workshop or take all three. Cost is $12 (includes all supplies). Limit: 12 participants per session.
Eaglet Nature Program returns for youth ages 5 to 7, along with their parents or caregivers, at Bowdoin Park’s Nature Education Center. Through interactive exploration and play, children will have the opportunity to take a closer look at the unique natural habitats, with each week focusing on a different topic with a craft being made at the end of the class. All classes will be offered 4-4:45pm. Registration is $5 per child. Limit: 12 participants.
Weekend Public Archery sessions will begin Saturday, April 9 at Bowdoin Park. The archery program consists of five classes, held on Saturdays, with various time slots offered. The sessions, each an hour long, are designed for children ages 8 and up, and adults with any level of archery experience. Basic hands-on archery skills are taught, as well as bow and arrow safety. Cost is $60 per person and includes all five classes and equipment. Limit: 20 participants per time slot.
Time Slots
Intro Adult Survival 1 will be held Saturday, April 30th from 9am-4pm at Bowdoin Park. This immersive one-day program is for ages 18 and up and covers the basics of survival education, including how to build several types of shelters and build a fire from scratch. This program is a prerequisite for Adult Survival 2, which will be a weekend overnight session June 11 and 12 at Wilcox Memorial Park in Milan. Adult Survival 2 goes deeper into wilderness survival education, including testing skills in an open campout setting. Space is limited and registration is $40 per person, per session.
All programs are held outdoors, unless otherwise noted. Participants should dress appropriately for weather conditions.
Additionally, group weekday Archery and Junior Survival are available by appointment and reservations can be made by calling 845-298-4602..
