Programs and Events: Winter 2023/2024
Check out these programs by our partners and are offering this season! Education and trainings are also included.
Open Air Village
At Open Air Village, children learn naturally through play in an “open air,” outdoor classroom. Students enjoy a daily rhythm filled with music, literature, big body play and sensory art. Qualified Early Childhood teachers facilitate a unique child-led environment where students are able to pursue their interests while meeting developmentally appropriate standards. At Open Air Village, we believe “there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear.”
800 Livermore Street, Yellow Springs, OH 45387
Contact: Nicole@openairvillage.com
Nature Preschool (ages 3-4)
Wonder Garden (age 5)
Monday – Friday, 8am – 4pm (full time)
MWF or TR, 9am – 12pm (part time)
www.openairvillage.com
Tuition/rates available upon request
email nicole@openairvillage.com
Winter Nature Adventures with Tiffany Ward (ages 6-11)
Monday & Wednesdays, 9am – 12pm
December 4 – March 8, $30/class
Drop-off program for homeschoolers
openairvillage.com/homeschoolers
Music Play with Nancy Lineburgh (ages 0-3)
Mondays, 9:30am (indoors with caregiver)
openairvillage.com/infants
email nicole@openairvillage.com
Infant Natural Movement with Simone Demarzi (ages 0 – 24 months)
Saturdays, 10:00am (indoors with caregiver)
openairvillage.com/infants
email nicole@openairvillage.com
Centerville-Washington Park District
Spot the Snowman’s Butterfly Scavenger Hunt
All Ages
January 11 – February 22
The program takes place in various Centerville Ohio Parks
Clues are emailed every Thursday.
Spot the Snowman is doing a winter butterfly survey in our parks. Since we do not have butterflies in flight during the winter, we have some kind folks who have designed plywood butterflies for him to find!
Each week, participants will receive a clue to go out in your parks and search for the butterflies with Spot. Butterflies will only be hiding in each park for one week. Mark their numbers and where you found them on the Butterfly Survey Sheet. Turn in your sheets for a tiny butterfly of your own to paint. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite butterfly at the end of the hunt!
Register Here!
Note: you do not need to find all the butterflies to participate.
Winter Woods Camp
Ages 5-12 years
February 16 and/or February 19th, 2023
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Bill Yeck Park, Smith House
2230 E. Centerville-Station Rd.
Fee/day: $25 residents, $33 nonresidents
Calling all kids that love camp! Join us on your day off for a camp full of our favorite fun camp activities, but in the Winter! Campers will enjoy hikes and games outside, gather around the fire for s’mores, then warm up in the Smith House with games and crafts. You can attend both days or register for the day that best fits your schedule!
Register for Friday, February 16th
Register for Monday, February 19th
Five Rivers MetroParks
Project WILD and Growing up WILD Combined Workshop:
Teachers and AmeriCorps only
Saturday, January 27
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Cox Arboretum MetroPark, Kettering Learning Lab
Free
This workshop will certify participants in the nationally recognized Project Wild curricula. You will take home the Growing Up WILD Guide (for ages 3-7) and the and Project Wild Guide (K-12), as well as other education resources. Project WILD materials are provided free of charge by the ODNR Division of Wildlife. Dress for the weather. 3 hours of Ohio Approved Credit will be given to those who provide OPIN information during registration. Register.
Note: Project WILD training supports WILD School Site certifications.
Green Schoolyards Teacher Training:
Ages 18 and up
Saturday, February 24
9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Possum Creek MetroPark, Possum Creek Education Building
Free
Outdoor areas are excellent learning spaces for schools. Come explore design and networking skills to create a Green Schoolyard. Resources from Five Rivers MetroParks, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), and the community will be offered. Register.
Note: Attendance at this workshop is received favorably when applying to become a seedling school with Five Rivers MetroParks.
National Trail Parks and Recreation District
Orienteering Valentine Event
For all ages
Saturday, February 10
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Old Reid Park & Kirby Preserve in Springfield
Fee: $6 per participant
Deadline to register: February 8
Orienteering is an outdoor navigation sport suitable for all weather conditions. Participants can embrace the beauty of nature during winter while engaging in this mentally challenging activity. The sport involves following a mapped course and utilizing navigation skills to navigate between marked locations. The courses are designed to accommodate individuals of all skill levels and abilities. An introductory orienteering training will be provided during the event. It is recommended to begin your course between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. There is a time limit of two hours to complete the course. This event is held in partnership with the Miami Valley Orienteering Club. Registration is available online by going to ntprd.org or by calling 937-328-7275.
Other Program Resources
Brukner Nature Center Young Birders Club
Geared just for students in grades 6TH-12TH with an interest in birding, membership in the YBC is just $10/year, plus high-quality binoculars and field guides are provided for meetings and field trips, so no additional equipment is needed! Please contact Brian for more information at brian@bruknernaturecenter.com!
Initiatives
MVLNCI has Partnered with Dayton Regional Green on a Connect to Nature Site Certification. Our work was featured in an article on the Children and Nature Network written by Richard Louv! Click Here to read about this initiative.
Information from our past Safe Routes Forum event can be found here. http://www.mvrpc.org/transportation/complete-streets/safe-routes
The MVLNCI collaborative engages and empowers our community to make time and create access for outdoor exploration, play and learning.
Contact us at miamivalleylnci@gmail.com
