The Wetlands Institute recently introduced an exciting adaption to its popular Summer Nature Program: a weekly Adventure Chest for children ages 4-13. The traditional in-person summer program was canceled due to coronavirus restrictions, and the weekly Adventure Chest gives children the chance to experience nature in their own backyards.

“This summer has been difficult and certainly very different for all of us at the Institute. We know how important nature discovery is for young minds, and we are really excited to be expanding our programs to be able to include the Adventure Chest program,” said Lenore Tedesco, executive director of The Wetlands Institute. “We are working very hard to create additional new opportunities for exploration and discovery this fall so that we can keep our marshes and coastal ecosystems accessible to the community.”

Two Adventure Chests are available each week; one for children ages 4-7, and one for ages 8-13. The cost is $75 per chest and includes a variety of items related to each weekly theme including activities, games, crafts, experiments, access to themed videos, suggestions on places to explore and even a special surprise from the Institute’s Tidepool Shop.

“We hold strong to the notion that children need nature, and nature needs children,” said Brooke Knapick, director of Educational Program Development. “Summer Nature Program is about exploration and discovery, the warmth of the sun, the saltiness of the breeze, the smell and feel of the salt marsh, and the joy of being outdoors. It is at the heart of what we do, and while our in-person Summer Nature Program is canceled, the Summer Nature Program experience is not.”

The Wetlands Institute recently reopened its doors and grounds on July 1 and is now open daily for visitors from 9:30am-4:30pm. For more information and to sign up for an Adventure Chest, go to wetlandsinstitute.org.

Photo: Cece and Charlie Coskey show off crafts from their Wetlands Institute Adventure Chest.