Summer 2026 Discovery Days
Roaring Brook Nature Center’s Summer 2026 Programs offer your child a unique blend of education and recreation that takes advantage of the curiosity and sense of wonder that all children feel toward the natural world.
Each week offers themed activities including short hikes, games, stories, crafts, and visits with the Nature Center’s animals.
Registration Details
Members: $270/program Non-members: $315/program
Programs run Monday through Friday, 9 am to Noon
Grade levels are those your child will enter in the fall
You can register online by clicking the program’s title below, or by calling us at 860-693-0263
Online registrations close at 4 PM on the Friday prior to class, but you can still register over the phone if spots are available.
Early registration is highly recommended due to limited enrollment. NEW for 2026: Sign-up before April 30th, and receive a free RBNC t-shirt!
Program Descriptions
Animal Babies … June 22-26
Discover the amazing world of animal families! Learn how different creatures care for their young as we explore nests, eggs, tadpoles, and more.
Grasshoppers, dragonflies, ants—Oh My! From buzzing wings to wiggling legs, we’ll investigate the incredible shapes, sizes, and colors of insects and other creepy crawlies.
Explore the beautiful colors and patterns found in nature! Learn why some creatures blend in while others stand out. We’ll see how camouflage works and uncover the secrets behind nature’s most dazzling designs.
Cozy Animal Homes … July 13-17
How do animals build their homes? Take a closer look at burrows, nests, and forest hideaways to discover how creatures use their surroundings to make safe and cozy homes for their families.
Animals on the Move (NEW) … July 20-24
Do the bear crawl, the cardinal hop, and even the bee dance during fun and wacky week of movement! Learn about animal feet, wings and many other things!
Dive into the wonders of water! Through hands-on exploration, we’ll discover how water shapes our world, who depends on it, and the fascinating creatures that live in it. Get ready for wet and wild fun!
Off on a trek we go! Together we will hike through streams, over bridges, into fields and to ponds to explore the mysteries of nature.
What’s beneath our feet? Grab your magnifying glass and dig into the wonders of soil, rocks, and roots! We’ll explore the fascinating underground world of plants, animals, and the ecosystems they create.
Nature’s Builders … June 22-26
Calling all budding builders! Test your engineering talents using natural materials and learn how nature’s builders, like birds and beavers, construct their homes and other structures.
Play with all the dazzling colors of nature! From bright bluebirds and green darner dragonflies to purple coneflowers, we’ll explore how colors help animals and plants thrive. Plus, we’ll get creative and make our own colorful works of art!
Creepies & Crawlies … July 6-10
Love bugs, spiders, worms, and snakes? Let’s investigate and uncover how these “creepy” creatures live and why they’re so important to the natural world.
Fish, Frogs, & Polliwogs … July 13-17
Put on your boots and grab your buckets as we explore streams and ponds. Discover the underwater world of fish, frogs, and pollywogs, and learn about the amazing creatures that call the water home.
Fly into the exciting world of birds! From robins and bluebirds to owls, we’ll explore feathers, beaks, and birdcalls through hikes, hands-on activities, and “egg-cellent” crafts. This week is guaranteed to be a hoot!
Dinosaur Discoveries … July 27-31
Travel back in time to when dinosaurs roamed Connecticut! Learn how big they were, what they ate, and how they lived. Dig into a fossil hunt to uncover prehistoric secrets.
Curious by Nature … August 3-7
Why is that rock so smooth? Who’s nibbling on those leaves? What’s making that sound? Where is that smell coming from? Join us as we explore the mysteries of nature using tools like magnifiers and binoculars. We’ll follow our curiosity as we look for answers to our questions about the natural world.
Forest Superheroes… August 10-14
Time to get our capes on! Track down the superheroes of our forests, and find out how we can be Werner Woods superheroes.
Your backyard is a laboratory waiting to be explored! This week will be packed with hands-on experiments, exciting adventures, and discoveries that will inspire the scientist in you!
Caring for Critters … June 29 -July 3
What does it take to care for animals? From making salads for turtles to giving frogs a rain shower, you’ll learn the ins and outs of keeping the Nature Center’s resident animals happy and healthy and get a behind the scenes look into our Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic.
Attention rock hounds! Dive into the fascinating world of geology as we start a collection, make fossils, and even build sculptures using rocks. It’s a week of creativity, learning, and plenty of “rockin’” fun!
Naturally Creative… July 13-17
Let nature inspire your creativity! Use natural materials to paint, draw, sculpt, and craft your own masterpieces. This week is all about combining art and nature to interpret the wonders of the outdoors in unique and beautiful ways.
Splish, splash—it’s time to explore the wonderous world of H2O (water)! We’ll investigate the role water plays in the web of life and the organisms big and small that inhabit it.
Wilderness Survival … July 27-31
Could you survive in the wild? Learn how to build a shelter, find water, and navigate the forest like a pro. Discover the skills animals use to thrive in the wilderness and try them out for yourself in this hands-on adventure!
Paws, Claws & Jaws (NEW)… August 3-7
A coyote’s jaw, a squirrel’s paw, a bear’s claw-each of these animals is specialized to get food, climb, dig and more. Discover the unbelievable adaptations different creatures have and why.
Nature’s Detectives (NEW)… August 10-14
Who left these tracks? What made that sound? We live in a world of wonder, so let’s explore, use fancy gadgets, and find answers to these and other questions.
Embark on a week of adventure on the trail as we explore the furthest reaches of Werner’s Woods and beyond! Hike through local habitats, including the Onion Mountain Ridge, a critical area for wildlife. This is the ultimate program for nature enthusiasts ready to trek into the wild.
In Cold Blood … June 29 -July 3
Slither into adventure as we explore the fascinating world of reptiles and amphibians! Search for snakes, frogs, toads, and turtles in their natural habitats and learn about their unique adaptations for survival.
Let nature be your muse! Use natural materials to create unique art projects like collages, sculptures, and prints. This week is all about exploring creativity in the great outdoors and turning nature’s treasures into works of art.
Digging for Buried Treasure … July 13-17
Explore the hidden world under rocks and logs, uncovering insects, salamanders, and other woodland creatures. Learn how to investigate these habitats respectfully and discover the treasures of life beneath our feet.
Speak out for wildlife! Dive deeper into the unique stories of how the Nature Center’s resident animals came to call Roaring Brook home, how they are cared for, and how you can help advocate for them and their wild counterparts.
Survival of the Fittest … July 27-31
Do you have what it takes to survive in the wild? Develop essential outdoor skills like building shelters, plant identification, and starting a fire safely. Learn how humans and animals alike adapt to thrive in challenging environments.
Water Ecology (NEW)… August 3-7
Get ready to get your feet wet! Explore streams, ponds and vernal pools to discover the amazing creatures that live in these habitats. Learn why wetlands are vital to our ecosystems and how they support countless species of plants and animals.
The Road Less Traveled … August 10-14
Venture off the beaten path into the untouched corners of Werner’s Woods! Explore hidden wonders and discover the unexpected flora and fauna found on the road less traveled.
August 18 – 22
Spend the final days of summer exploring the forest, fields, and streams around the Nature Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
What forms are required?
Medication Administration Form
Submit forms to:
Email: RBNC@thechildrensmuseumct.org or Mail: 70 Gracey Road, Canton, CT 06019
All forms are due two (2) weeks prior to the start of class. If you register two weeks or less prior to the start of class, forms are due immediately at the time of registration. We are not able to process forms over the weekend.
What should my child bring with them in their backpack?
Plenty of water in a bottle/ thermos that students can open and close without adult assistance.
Please DO NOT send bug spray or sunscreen with your child. If you would like your child to have sunscreen and bug spray, please apply this to your child BEFORE coming to the program.
Nut-free snack that students can open and eat without adult assistance. All snack trash will be sent back with the child in their lunchbox or in a bag provided by the parent/caregiver.
If your child requires an Epi-Pen, inhaler, or other medication, please send in a labeled, clear baggie with your child’s name on it, and please make sure the necessary paperwork is accompanying the medication.
Some days they may need clothes and shoes that can get wet for stream exploration.
Every day, participants should dress for the weather and messy activities. Please wear sneakers or closed toed shoes.
When is drop-off? What should I do if we're running late?
We recommend arriving between 5 and 10 minutes early for drop-off to ensure your child is ready to go and check-in. There will be signs to guide you to the designated pick-up and drop-off spot for your age group inside the Nature Center.
If you know you are running late to drop-off or pick-up, please call (860) 693-0263 to let the Nature Center staff know. If you need to pick up early or have a planned absence, please let your child’s teacher know as soon as possible. Unexpected absences should be called into the Nature Center.
Details about the activities planned will be sent out prior to the program start by the lead teacher
What are your payment and refund policies?
Full payment is required at the time of registration
Cancellations Prior to April 15th 2025
Priority will be given to rescheduling participants to an alternative program week
Full refunds will be issued if rescheduling is not possible or desired
Cancellations After April 15 th 2025
Participants may transfer to another available summer program week.
If a different summer week isn’t an option, payment may be converted to a paid program credit to be used before December 31, 2025.
Payments are non-refundable if neither transfer nor credit options are utilized.
For questions regarding our refund policy, or to request a refund, please contact our office.
Are there scholarships available?
Partial Scholarships are available through the Alison Gill & Beth Dal Negro Scholarship Fund
To apply, please fill out our Scholarship Application linked here
Submit to RBNC@thechildrensmuseumct.org