History/Science
Native American Toys workshop, Grasshopper Grove & mini-camp at Hudson Highlands Nature Center in Cornwall
The Hudson Highlands Nature Center has interesting events going on almost all the time, both weekdays and weekends, including its afterschool and Scouts programs. On Sunday, November 10 at 10 a.m., the Center presents Native American Toys and Games, a hands-on lesson and activity about the toys and games that children created from natural materials 400 years ago. Admission costs $7 for adults and $5 for children, with a $2 discount for Center members, and the event takes place at the Outdoor Discovery Center, located at 100 Muser Drive in Cornwall.
While you’re at the Outdoor Discovery Center, I encourage you to pay the $3 fee (free for children under 2 years of age) to get wristbands that enable entry into Grasshopper Grove. This natural playground is especially delightful for children age 4 and under to explore, but my 7-year-old and her friends thoroughly enjoyed themselves during a recent visit, too. Grasshopper Grove is open on weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with special activities led by the Grasshopper Greeter at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. You can learn more about Grasshopper Grove on the https://hhnaturemuseum.org website under the Activities tab, but I think that the best way to “get it” is to just go check it out for yourself!
Here’s an idea for the kids’ day off from school on Monday, November 11: Reserve your child’s spot for the Hudson Highlands Nature Center mini-camp. The mini-camp is geared toward children between kindergarten and third grade and takes place at the Wildlife Education Center from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at a cost of $22 per day. The program is limited to 16 participants, and prepaid registration is required. Activities include crafts, meeting an animal, a short hike and storytime.
The Wildlife Education Center is located at 25 Boulevard in Cornwall-on-Hudson. For reservations or more information, call (845) 534-7781 or visit https://hhnaturemuseum.org.
Marine biology fun at Arlington High School’s “Phantom of the Aqua” in Lagrangeville
Got science buffs? Here are two upcoming opportunities for your family! On Friday, November 8 from 5 to 8 p.m., head over to the ninth annual “Phantom of the Aqua” at Arlington High School’s Cafeterias C and D. This program, geared for youth from kindergarten through fifth grade, is about marine creatures of all kinds. Phantom of the Aqua is a fun, interactive science night filled with activities run by students in the Marine Biology Club and Marine Biology classes, and assisted by students in Advanced Placement Biology classes. Teachers Maribel Pregnall, Adrienne deMare and Kaila Hastings oversee the event and advise the students.
The cost is $3 per student, or $10 maximum per family, and all proceeds fund the school’s marine aquaria. Arlington High School is located at 1157 Route 55 in Lagrangeville. I’ve heard great things about this event and look forward to checking it out myself.
Discovery Festival at Rhinebeck High School spotlights “The Science of Design”
For more science, clear your calendars for the Rhinebeck Science Foundation’s Discovery Festival, happening on Saturday, November 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rhinebeck High School. This year’s theme is “The Science of Design” and features hands-on activities for youth from kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as design competitions for different age groups. Here’s a sampling of some of the 20 presentations – I think that they sound great!
Veterinary Design with Dr. Greg Tumolo: Learn all about how the science of design can help animals with Rhinebeck Animal Hospital super-vet Greg Tumolo. Get a demo of everything from tracking devices to the latest medical technologies.
The Gumdrop Dome with Kerim Kalafa: The Gumdrop Dome session combines two things that we love: candy and building stuff. Kerim Kalafa, lead architect at IBM and an inventor with over 20 patents, will help session participants architect a structurally sound (and delicious) dome.
FX Makeup with Kelsea, Ashley and Isabella: Science and art come together in the FX Makeup session! Prosthetics, plaster-casting, theatrical blood and lots of other tricks of the trade will be presented by Rhinebeck High School students Kelsea, Ashley and Isabella.
Design competition challenges are just as engaging. The topics for kindergarten through fifth grade are: Moon City; Design a Bridge; Minecraft Mania; Oscars Evening Wear; Dream Toys; and Car of the Future. Competition choices for grades 6 through 12 are: Off-the-Grid Living; Creative Recycling; Sail Away; School of the Future; Toddler Learning; Super Smartphone; Music Madness; Navigation Design; Healthy Living; Improving Lives; Sporting Superstar; and Fashion Diva.
Rhinebeck High School is located at 45 North Park Road in Rhinebeck. For more information, visit www.rhinebecksciencefoundation.org or https://discovery.rhinebecksciencefoundation.com.
The Arts
Looking for more educational opportunities in the arts? Here are some events to check out this weekend:
To see art created by youth: Head over to the opening reception of the Wild Things Youth Art Exhibit at the Unframed Artists’ Gallery on Saturday, November 9 from 1 to 5 p.m. The afternoon includes Pop-Up Theatre at 3:30 p.m., and the movie Where the Wild Things Are at 4 p.m. Young artists hail from New Paltz, Red Hook, Wallkill and the Bruderhof Community.
The Unframed Artists’ Gallery is located at 173 Huguenot Street in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 255-5482 or visit www.unframedartistsgallery.com. The exhibit will remain open weekends from 1 to 5 p.m. or by appointment.
Join the family! 
