EarthKeepers is a preschool program hosted by Walking Mountain Science Center. The program is catered towards young science lovers ages 3-5. Children have the opportunity to meet Mondays and Fridays from 10:00-noon at the Avon Buck Creek Campus in the Eagle Valley. 

Today a group of energetic cuties learned from Walking Mountains Naturalist, Michelle, who was eager to teach the children about aquatic insects. Kids started out the day by introducing themselves to one another and adding what they love to do in the water. Answers ranged from swimming and fishing to splashing and watering flowers. They continued by playing charades with all water living creatures such as frogs and beavers. Then, they crafted beautiful dragonflies with extravagant wings and googly eyes. After all the indoor fun, kiddos and their guardians adventured outside on the Walking Mountain Science Center campus where Michelle collected bugs from a stream. The Earthkeepers gently caught individual insects from Michelle’s collection with paintbrushes and separated them into ice trays for further viewing and identification. Once they were finished examining the aquatic insects, they returned the bugs safely back into their natural habitat.

Following their fun with live bugs, the children went inside for a snack and a story called “Eliza and the Dragonfly.” Afterwards, they colored the lifecycle of a dragonfly and pretended to go through the lifecycle themselves. They curled into balls on the floor, pretending to be eggs that hatched into nymphs (their new favorite word), and then morphing into fluttering dragonflies.  Everyone enjoyed this action-packed two hours and the little ones can’t wait to come back to Walking Mountain Science Center for another adventure.  Monday, the Earthkeepers’ theme is “Claws and Paws” where kids will become animal detectives.

If your adventurer likes to have fun while learning about science and the outdoors bring them to the Walking Mountain Science Center. Be sure to bring water and a snack and be prepared for both indoor and outdoor activities. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The cost is $10 and $5 for each additional child.  There is also a program for children aged 6 mos to 2 years, Nature Tykes, that runs every Thursday from 1-1:45pm.

For more information visit www.walkingmountains.org or call 970-827-9725.  Or visit our community programs brochure online.