Spring Vacation Camp at the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens is a full day camp program offered to 5 - 11 year olds in the new Silver Educational Center located at 151 Brookdale Road in Stamford, CT (just 1 1/2 miles north on High Ridge Road off Merritt Parkway Exit 35). Campers are welcome to sign up for individual days or the whole week. Each day, children will explore a topic related to the botanical and natural world such as Rainforest Ecology, Habitats from Around the World, Connecticut’s Native Animals and so much more.
Spring Vacation Camp at the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens is a full day camp program offered to 5 - 11 year olds in the new Silver Educational Center located at 151 Brookdale Road in Stamford, CT (just 1 1/2 miles north on High Ridge Road off Merritt Parkway Exit 35). Campers are welcome to sign up for individual days or the whole week. Each day, children will explore a topic related to the botanical and natural world such as Rainforest Ecology, Habitats from Around the World, Connecticut’s Native Animals and so much more.
A healthy snack will be provided by the Bartlett Arboretum each day; however, each child is responsible for their own peanut-free lunch. Children should dress appropriately for the weather as they will be spending time outside each day. Camp will be held rain or shine. Bartlett Arboretum’s Director of Children’s Education, Todd DuPont, expresses, “After a two-year hiatus in camp programs awaiting construction of our fantastic new education center we are thrilled to reinstate a full season of camp programs that connect kids with the exploration and appreciation of nature. We are following April Vacation Camp with our ever-popular 6 week Summer Camp that kicks off in July.”
Todd DuPont has been orchestrating youth educational programs at the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens for the past 4 years. His personal passion aligns with the Bartlett’s mission to build an environment that makes nature accessible and interesting to children. Twice a year, every 2nd Grade class in Stamford has the opportunity to visit the Bartlett’s grounds to learn from Todd and Brad, his assistant educator, for a special Science Odyssey Program at no charge. The new Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom added last September through the generosity of Arbor Day Foundation, Keep America Beautiful and PepsiCo is a project that the Bartlett Arboretum embraced to fulfill the profound need for connecting children with nature at an early age. Open to the public everyday of the year, this outdoor interactive classroom allows kids to be entirely immersed in nature and exploration hands-on. As representatives of the Bartlett Arboretum, Todd and Brad have extended their skills and developed incredible outreach relationships and programs working with underserved youths at such organizations as the Yerwood Center, Boys & Girls Club of America, and St. Lukes Lifeworks.
The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens is a non profit 501 (c) (3) organization that inspires the surrounding community to explore, examine, understand and appreciate the natural history of the botanical world. The Arboretum achieves this goal through research, living plant collections, education and arts and cultural programs. The 91-acre property located at 151 Brookdale Road in Stamford is a living museum of champion majestic trees, rare plant collections, themed gardens, and natural landscapes traversed by hiking and walking trails. The historic site is the former residence, training school, and botanical research grounds of the renowned arborist, Dr. Francis Bartlett, dating back to 1913.
With the recent completion of the new Silver Educational Center and its outdoor complement, the children’s Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom, the Bartlett has quickly become a ‘must-visit” location for local families interested in developing their appreciation and respect for nature. In addition to once again hosting their school vacation and summer camp activities for children the Bartlett has also introduced a new Birthday Party program for children aged 3-12. With a summer concert series featuring both classical and contemporary selections, and a regular schedule of exhibits by local artists and photographers, as well as classes in yoga, meditation, painting and more, the Bartlett Arboretum plays an ever expanding role in the regional cultural community. For more information about the events at the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens and opportunities to support the new Silver Educational Center or children’s and adults’ nature programs please visit the website www.bartlettarboretum.org or call 203-322-6971.
