During the school year, the museum uses fun-filled hands-on activities to introduce children to nature and science. Each program meets once a week for five weeks. Four different sessions are offered each year.

Advance registration is required. For more information or to make a reservation, call the Reservations Coordinator, at 757-595-9135, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Visa, Mastercard and Discover are accepted.

Museum members may register for the 2007-08 sessions beginning July 11. Non-members may register beginning July 25. Save $20 when you register for all four sessions.

Click here to register via our secure online form.

Three Year Olds

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.

Fee: $78 per session VLM member, $95 non-member

Click here to become a member

Time: Tuesdays 10 - 11 a.m.

Preschoolers

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.

Redbirds meet on Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m., Bluebirds meet on Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Children must be four years old by the first class meeting.

Fee: $82 per session VLM member, $98 non-member

Click here to become a member

After School Clubs

Join the best wild animal club in town!

Become a member of the Living Museum's Nature Adventure Club . . . join the Possum, Raccoon or Fox patrol for five weeks of non-stop fun and adventure.

Each club member receives a Naturalist Explorer Pack with “explorer” tools and a membership certificate.

Each patrol will complete a wildlife project, explore a variety of natural science activities and go on an exciting behind-the-scenes tour at the Virginia Living Museum!

Fee: $82 per session VLM member, $98 non-member

Click here to become a member

Time: 4-5:30 p.m.

Dates:

Session I Sept. 10 - Oct. 10

Session II Oct. 29 - Dec. 5 (No class Nov. 19, 21)

Sessions III Jan. 14 - Feb. 13

Session IV March 17 - April 23 (No class April 7, 9)

Possum Patrol (Kindergarten) - Wednesdays

Session I - Surprising Senses

Session II - Getting to Know Opossums

Session III - What's for Lunch?

Session IV - Buzzing a Hive

Raccoon Patrol (Grade 1) - Wednesdays

Session I - Leaf Litter Critters

Session II - Animals Inside and Out

Session III - Searching Sea Habitats

Session IV - Birds of a Feather

Fox Patrol (Grades 2 & 3) - Mondays

Session I - So You Want to be a Nature Detective

Session II - Awesome Animal Adaptations

Session III - Exploring Rocks, Minerals and Fossils

Session IV - Magic Winds and Evening Things