w23Alley Pond Environmental Center APEC NYC New York City Queens Northern Blvd Douglaston science field trips children's birthday  party parties family weekend activities scouts scout badges hiking
 bird watching nature trails zoo aquarium fish lakes ponds streams forest parks park fishing animals Alley Pond Environmental Center APEC NYC New York City Queens Northern Blvd Douglaston
 science field trips children's birthday parties family weekend activities scouts scout badges hiking bird watching nature trail zoo aquarium fish lakes ponds streams forest parks park fishing animals



Calendar Year 2010
Monthly Events

 

 

Alley Pond Environmental Center
  is open year-round with animal,
  science and nature programs for
  children, adults and families.
 
  

 

  
For current and future events click on the links below
Children's Weekday Programs

Children's Weekend Programs
 After School Programs
Adult & Family Programs
Special  Events


Click here for past events during January - December 2009
to view the array of programs we offer throughout the year

 
Children’s Weekday Programs

Wee Sprouts

Ages 18 - 23 months               (parental participation)

Open up the world of nature to your wee ones! Let your child’s first learning experience be at APEC.
Children will pet animals, enjoy free play with environmental toys, go on mini-nature walks and have
a snack. 8 participants. No siblings allowed, except for infants in infant seats.

11 sessions     $154M/$176NM

Thursday                                  9:30 - 10:30     Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11, 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25

Friday                                      9:30 - 10:30     Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12, 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26

 

Toddler Time

Ages 24 - 35 months      (parental participation)

Toddlers love to explore new surroundings. Why not give your child a chance to explore the wonderful world
of nature! Create nature crafts, read stories, take short nature walks, pet APEC’s animals and begin to
appreciate nature. 8 participants. No siblings allowed, except infants in infant seats.

11 sessions     $176M/$198NM

Tuesday                                    9:30 - 10:45     Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2, 9, 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23

Wednesday                              9:30 - 10:45     Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10, 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24

Wednesday                            11:15 - 12:30   Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10, 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24

Thursday                                 11:00 - 12:15   Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11, 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25

Friday                                      11:00 - 12:15   Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb.  5, 12, 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26


Fledglings

Ages 3 - 4

Join us as we explore the wonders of nature at Alley Pond Park! We will take enchanting nature walks, hold
discussions, create nature crafts, pet APEC’s animals and much more. This is the ideal next step after
“Toddler Time.”  Participants must be toilet trained.
 Limited to 10 participants in the Tuesday class and 12 participants in the Friday class.

11 sessions     $187M/$209NM

Tuesday           11:15 - 12:45   Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2, 9, 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23

Friday                 9:30 - 11:00     Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb.  5, 12, 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26

  

Sunny Bunnies

Ages 3 - 4

This program will offer children hands-on opportunities with animals, exploration of our nature trails,
discussions on different nature topics, crafts, free play, music time and more. Explore the wonderful
world of nature! BRING A BAG LUNCH.  Participants must be toilet trained.

Limited to12 participants
.

21 sessions     $378M/$420NM

Mon./Wed.      9:45 - 12:00     Jan. 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 25, 27

                                                   Feb. 1, 3, 8, 10, 22, 24

                                                   March 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24

Tues./ Thurs.   9:45 - 12:00     Jan. 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28

                                                    Feb. 2, 4, 9, 11, 23, 25

                                                    March 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23                          

 

Nature Club

Pre-k (Age 4 by December 31, 2009)

Nature Club is designed to meet the needs of young science and nature buffs. This class uses animals,
nature and cooperative learning to reinforce children’s school readiness skills while providing extra
enrichment in the sciences. Activities include free play, story time, games, crafts, live animals and a snack.
Limited to 12 participants.
 

10 sessions     $120M/$140NM

Wednesday      3:15 - 4:45       Jan. 13, 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10, 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24

 


Children’s Weekend Programs 


Snowpeople

Ages listed below

Join us for a day of fun in the “snow”.  Even if there is no snow outside, we will have our own pretend snow
inside.  Make your own silly snowperson.  This program includes games, songs, a snack, a craft, a nature
walk and time with APEC’s own snowy white animals. Participants must be toilet trained.

$12M/$16NM

Ages 3 - 4        limited to 12 participants                                                       

Sun. Jan. 23                 1:30 – 3:30 PM

Ages 5 - 6        limited to 12 participants

Sun. Jan. 30                 1:30 – 3:30 PM

 

Perfectly Penguin

Ages listed below

Wintertime is a great time to appreciate how perfectly penguins are adapted to life in the snow.  Stories,
photos and actual penguin feathers are used to explore how these lovable birds survive and raise chicks in
the freezing cold. We will meet live animals. A snack and craft are included.
Participants must be toilet trained. 

$12M/$16NM

Ages 3 - 4        limited to 12 participants

Sun. Feb. 13    1:30 – 3:30 PM

Ages 5 - 6        limited to 12 participants

Sat. Feb. 27     1:30 – 3:30 PM

 

Bear Necessities

Ages listed below

What animal features are necessary for living in the snow and ice? Let’s study polar bears and find out!
We will learn the bear facts through story time, experiments, a craft and more! This program includes a
snack, live animals and a nature walk (weather permitting). Participants must be toilet trained.

$12M/$16NM

Age 3 - 4          limited to 12 participants                   

Sun. March 13      1:30 – 3:30 PM

Ages 5 - 6        limited to 12 participants

Sun. March 27      1:30 – 3:30 PM

 

Children’s Nature Photography

Ages 6-11

Children will be introduced to the basics of composition and nature photography rules while using disposable
cameras.  During the first class they will practice their newly acquired skills, taking photographs during a
nature walk on APEC’s trails.  During the second class the children will create frames to mount their favorite
pictures.  Film developing and all materials included.  Limited to 10  participants.

$48M/$54NM

Saturdays, March 27 and April 10, 10:30 AM -12:00 PM

 
Young Chefs

Ages 7 - 10

Kitchen magic begins at APEC!  Your child will experience the pleasure of making their very own tasty
French toast and hot cocoa with coconut snowballs to warm their bellies.  All materials included.
Limited to 8 participants.

$15M/$19NM

Sat., Jan. 30       1:30 – 3:00

 

Valentine Treats

Ages 7 - 10

Young chefs will prepare and grill up delicious heart shaped grilled cheese sandwiches and wash them
down with healthy fruit, energy smoothies.   All materials included.  Limited to 8 participants.

$15M/$19NM

Sat., Feb. 13       1:30 – 3:00

 

Mother/Daughter Natural Facials

Ages 7 and up

Come and enjoy the skin rejuvenating benefits of nature!  With soothing music and sweet scented candles
creating a relaxing atmosphere, mothers and daughters will combine natural products such as honey,
crushed almonds & egg whites to cleanse and soften their skin.  Remember to wear comfortable clothes!
A healthy snack and all materials included. Limited to 5 mother/daughter pairs.

$16M/$20NM

Sat., March 6        10:30 – 12:00

 

Tracking Winter Wildlife

Ages 8-12

Scat, tracks and other clues are left behind as animals travel through the park; join us as we walk the trails of
Alley Pond Park looking for clues of winter wildlife.  Students will make their very own animal track to take
home at the end of the class.  We will take a walk rain or shine, so be sure to dress appropriately (and be
prepared to get dirty) and wear comfortable shoes. In case of severe weather, entire program will run indoors.

$13M/$17NM

Saturday Feb. 6,      10:30 - 12:30 pm

 

Animal Care Trainee

Ages 8-12

Would you like to help us care for APEC’s animals? This program teaches children about

the interesting job of an animal caretaker. Children will have hands-on experience in

feeding, brushing, cleaning and learning all about the needs of APEC’s animals. Snack

and animal care trainee certificate included! Limited to 8 participants.

$12M/$16NM

Saturday  Jan.  16,        10-12 pm

Sunday    Jan.  24,        10-12 pm

Saturday  Feb 13,         10-12 pm

Sunday    Mar. 21,        10-12 pm

 

Mad Scientists

Ages 8-12

Calling all scientists!!  Put on your thinking caps and join us as we answer important environmental questions
with fun and easy experiments.  Learn about your environment through studies and tests, some can be done
with simple household supplies.  Limited to 8 participants.  Snack included.

$15M/$19NM

 

Global Warming

Saturday           Jan. 9,         10:30-12:30 pm          

 

Acid Rain

Saturday           Feb. 27,       10:30-12:30 pm          

 

Owl Pellet Dissections

Sunday             Mar. 14,        10:30-12:30 pm

 

 Field Biology High School Internship

"Ages- High School GradesFree competitive internship; open to all high sophomores, juniors and seniors
interested in environmental studies.  Join us as we explore the trails of APEC armed with field guides,
experimental apparatuses and our brains.  Please call for more information and our application or visit our
website (
http://www.alleypond.com/education/fbi.html).
 
Admission is FREE, but acceptance into the program is required in order to attend.

Spring 2010(application due February 1st)

 "FREE Sat., 9am -12pm          Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27, Apr. 10, 17

Summer 2010 (application due June 8th)

Thurs., 9:30-12:30 pm July 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug., 5, 12


After School Programs

Nature Club

Pre-k (Age 4 by December 31, 2009)

Nature Club is designed to meet the needs of young science and nature buffs. This class utilizes animals,
nature and cooperative learning to reinforce children’s school readiness skills while providing extra
enrichment in the sciences. Activities include free play, story time, games, crafts, live animals and a snack.
12 participants.

10 sessions     $120M/$140NM

Wednesday        3:15 – 4:45       Jan. 13, 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10, 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24


Junior Nature Kids

Grades K - 2

Get wild each Wednesday at Alley Pond! Junior Nature Kids explore their environment with all five senses
through games, crafts, learning activities and nature walks.  Help care for animals and better understand
secrets such as camouflage.  Investigate the mysteries of animals and plants up-close after school.
Snack included.

10 sessions     $120M/$140NM

Wednesday      3:30 - 4:45      Jan. 13, 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10, 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24  


Adult and Family Programs


AN EVENING WITH THE STARS

"AN EVENING WITH THE STARSREACH FOR THE STARStc \l1 "REACH FOR THE STARS
Astronomy Programs with Mark Freilich

Saturday, January 16,     7:00 - 9:00 PM

Saturday, February 20,   7:00 - 9:00 PM

Saturday, March 13,        7:00 - 9:00 PM

FEE: for each session $10.00 per adult member, $12 per adult non-member, and $7.00 for children
ages 7-12 (includes handout information packet)

Three separate but equally great sessions!  Understand and appreciate the mystery and beauty of the
universe with astronomer Mark Freilich.  Learn about and view the winter constellations Orion Nebular, the
Pleiades Star Cluster, and Deep Space Phenomenon.  These programs comprise an indoor lecture on
basic astronomy and outdoor viewing with a professional telescope.  Participants are welcome to bring their
own telescopes.  Dress warm!  Experience different and exciting viewings at each event!

 

KNITTING CIRCLE

Join APEC’s very own knitting circle! We welcome knitters (or stitchers or any kind) of all ages and skill
levels! Come to share a new project, learn a new skill, or just knit with friends.  Brand new to knitting?  That’s
okay!  We’re more than happy to help you get started.  Call or e-mail to inquire about meeting times; speak
to Liz at ext. 200 or email Liz at emcglinchey@alleypond.com.  We will meet a few times a month, and there
will be a fee of $3M/$5NM per meeting.
 

FAMILY NATURE WALK

Saturday, March 20, meet at APEC at 3:00

FEE: $3 for members, $5 for non-members

Spring has sprung! Join APEC Educator for a nature walk on the wetland trails of Alley Pond Park.
Bring the whole family along to soak in the early spring flora and fauna that can be found right here in
northeast Queens.


Special Events
 

TEA and TREASURES

Sunday, February 28, 3 pm

FEE: $10 per person

Let’s have some old fashioned fun to chase away the winter blues!  Join us for tea and bid on some terrific baskets, trays, and boxes of fun treasures.

 

APEC SQUARE DANCE

Saturday, March 20

Doors Open at 6:30pm Dance starts promptly at 7PM until 9PM

FEE:  Adults: $10 members, $12 non-members, Children ages 7-12: $8 each (Children must be with paying adult)

REGISTRATION:    Please pre-register by calling 718-229-4000

 Join us for a fun evening of dancing with Square Dance Caller Jim Emory.  Learn to Do-Si-Do, Promenade, and Swing-Your-Partner.  Beginners are welcome.  It’s fun and friendship set to music.  Try this fun way to exercise together.  Partners are not required.  Wear sneakers or comfortable shoes.

 

“WALK For APEC”

Sunday April 18, 9:00 AM

AGES: all

FEE:$10 per walker, children under 6 FREE

Please check back soon for additional details. 

 

APEC is hosting a BLOOD DRIVE

Tuesday, April 20, 2:00PM – 7:30PM

AGES: 16 years and older

Your donation will help to save up to THREE lives.  Our community hospitals need your help.  Please share this lifesaving gift!  Thank you for caring!

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please contact Liz at emcglinchey@alleypond.com or
call 718-229-4000 x200

 

   About the Center Education Programs Scouts, Groups, Volunteers   Birthdays
Monthly Events Mission Statement Travel Directions Contact Us

 Location: 228-06 Northern Boulevard, Douglaston, NY 11363 
phone: (718) 229-4000      email:
info@alleypond.com