Virginia Living Museum
School Year Programs 2011-12
Programs are available for ages three through grade 5.
Sharing Nature Together (3 Year Olds & a Caregiver)
Early Birds (4 & 5 Year Olds)
Nature Adventure Club (Kindergarten - Grade 3)
Saturday Science Explorers (Grades 4-5)
Sharing Nature Together (3 Year Olds & a Caregiver)
Enjoy five weeks of early learning for your three-year-old and YOU! Learning is much more meaningful and rewarding for very young children when they can share their new adventures with a caring parent or grandparent. The Museum's early childhood programs feature age appropriate activities, role playing, live animals and interesting specimens from our collections to stimulate and engage young minds. Don't miss this wonderful chance to share time and nature together. Class size is limited. No siblings are allowed.
Fee: $95 per session VLM member, $115 non-member
When: Tuesdays from 10am-11am
"Colors in Nature" Registration Closed
Sept. 13 - Oct. 11
Find red ladybugs, green frogs and black skunks (just to name a few). Join us as we explore the rainbow of colors in our natural world.
"Shapes in Nature" Registration Closed
Nov. 1 - Dec. 6 (no class Nov. 22)
Take a close-up look at plants and animals as we search for shapes and patterns. We'll find heart-shaped faces, round eyes and triangular scales.
"Numbers in Nature" Registration Closed - Class FULL
Jan. 10 - Feb. 7
Come count eyes, ears, legs and more! We will examine animals from snakes to spiders as we learn about numbers.
"Textures in Nature" Registration Closed - Class FULL
March 13 - April 17 (No class April 3)
Nature becomes a "touch and feel" adventure as we search the Museum inside and out. Explore our world in a new way as we experience fluffy, sticky, slippery and other textures.
Register now or call 757-595-9135.
Early Birds (4 & 5 Year Olds)
Early Birds meet once a week for five weeks, to offer quality nature education classes for your preschooler. These classes provide a special place for your child where the entire program is geared to his/her developmental level. Planned activities are based on natural themes such as animals, plants, nature and ecology, varying with the season. Creative art projects, music, short film clips, dramatic play, story telling and crafts are an integral part of our balanced natural science curriculum.
Museum collections, exhibits and live animals enhance our classes to provide every child with an enjoyable, stimulating and valuable learning experience.
Professional staff will guide the development of your child's needs and potential in a warm, responsive setting. It is our hope to provide each child with a sensitive appreciation of the natural world and their place in it.
Bluebirds meet on Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Children must be four years old by the first class meeting.
Fee: $98 per session VLM member, $120 non-member
"Tricks Animals Play" Registration Closed
Sept. 154 - Oct. 13
From camouflage to chemical defenses, we'll discover the really neat ways that animals keep safe.
"Animal Pieces and Parts for Winking, Wagging and More"
Nov. 3 - Dec. 8 (no class Nov. 24) Registration Closed
Watch animals in action and learn about the parts that keep them on the move.
"What Can Living Things Do?"
Jan. 12 - Feb. 9 Registration Closed
Is it alive? Explore plants and animals to learn what makes living things unique.
"See How They Grow"
March 15 - April 19 (No class April 5)
Follow the fascinating changes during the life cycle of a different plant or animal each week.
Register now or call 757-595-9135.
Nature Adventure Club (Kindergarten - Grade 3)
Join the best wild animal club in town!
Become a member of the Living Museum's Nature Adventure Club . . . join the Raccoon or Fox patrol for five weeks of non-stop fun and adventure. Each patrol will explore a variety of natural science themes designed to engage and stimulate the young scientist in your child.
Fee: $98 per session VLM member, $120 non-member
Time: 4-5:30 p.m.
Raccoon Patrol (Kindergarten - Grade 1) - Tuesdays
Sept. 13 - Oct. 11 - Leaf Litter Critters Registration Closed
Nov. 1 - Dec. 6 (no class Nov. 22) - Animals Inside and Out Registration Closed
Jan. 10 - Feb. 7 - Searching Sea Habitats Registration Closed
March 13 - April 17 (no class April 3) Birds of a Feather
Fox Patrol (Grades 2 & 3) - Tuesdays
Sept. 13 - Oct. 11 - So You Want to Be a Nature Detective Registration Closed
Nov. 1 - Dec. 6 (no class Nov. 22) - Awesome Animal Adaptations Registration Closed
Jan. 10 - Feb. 7 - Exploring Rocks, Minerals and Fossils Registration Closed
March 13 - April 17 (no class April 3) - Magic Wings and Evening Things
Register now or call 757-595-9135.
Saturday Science Explorers (Grades 4-5)
We are once again offering special programs for a small group of 4th and 5th grade children.
"Life All Around Us"
Nov. 12, 9:30 a.m. - noon Registration Closed
Learn about the incredible variety of life on earth and why this biodiversity is critical to our world.
Fee: $34 VLM member, $42 non-member
"How to Create a Living Museum" Registration Closed
Jan. 21, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Design and make a model exhibit as you go behind-the-scenes to learn how we care for our animals. Bring a lunch.
Fee: $49 VLM member, $64 non-member
"Nighttime Mysteries"
March 3, 5-7:30 p.m.
Explore nocturnal animals and their adaptations during an evening walk at the Museum.
Fee: $34 VLM member, $42 non-member
"Water Wonders"
May 5, 9:30 a.m. - noon
Investigate the importance of clean water as we explore our pond and wetlands and the animals that depend on them.
Fee: $34 VLM member, $42 non-member.
Register now or call 757-595-9135.