MCPL Nature Explorium

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A valid MCPL library card for each patron (adults, children and teens) is required at time of registration. Please let us know if you require any special accommodations because of a disability.

Natural Family Fun (J753)
For parents/caregivers of children entering Pre-K through 5th grade
Join us to learn about the advantages of spending time outdoors with your family. Learn about family friendly outdoor activities, the health benefits of being outside and participate in some hands on activities. Children are welcome to attend with their parent or caregiver.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
6:00pm �?8:00pm Centereach

Go Outside: Seashore! (J825)
For families with children entering K �?3rd grade (older and younger siblings welcome). *Parent/caregivers must attend program*.
These engaging outdoor activities will encourage family exploration of nature.
Monday, July 9, 2012
   10:00am �?11:00am      Centereach
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
   4:00pm �?5:00pm      Centereach
Thursday, August 9, 2012
   4:00pm �?5:00pm      Centereach
Saturday, August 11, 2012
    10:00am �?11:00am      Centereach

Sponsored by

Feather Facts (J836)
For children entering K - 2nd grade
Join us in learning some facts about birds then make a beautiful wooden birdhouse to take home.
Monday, July 30, 2012
6:30pm �?7:15pm Centereach
OR
Thursday, August 16, 2012
11:00am �?11:45am Centereach

Sponsored by

No Programs Available.

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Go Outside: Art & Color! (J825)
For families with children entering K �?3rd grade (older and younger siblings welcome). *Parent/caregivers must attend program*.
These engaging outdoor activities will encourage family exploration of nature.
This program is sponsored by Bank of America.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
10:00am �?11:00am Centereach
Friday, July 27, 2012
4:00pm �?5:00pm Centereach

Introduction to Letterboxing (J830)
For families with children entering 1st �?5th grade. Older and younger siblings welcome!
Are you looking for a fun activity your whole family can enjoy? Letterboxing is an intriguing mix of treasure hunting, art, navigation and exploring interesting scenic and sometimes historical places. It involves logbooks, rubber stamps, clues, sometimes hiking and so much more!
This program is sponsored by TD Charitable Foundation.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
6:00pm �?7:30pm Centereach
Saturday, July 14, 2012
10:00am �?11:30am Centereach

Let's Salsa (J780)
For children entering K �?3rd grade
Read about the kinds of vegetables that grow in the garden and learn how salsa is made with volunteers from MCPL's Green Teens. Afterwards, they will show you how to make salsa AND dance the salsa! Please let us know if you have any food allergies at the time of registration.
This program is sponsored by HSBC.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
1:00pm �?2:00pm Centereach
Saturday, July 28, 2012
2:30pm �?3:30pm Centereach

Summer Fun at the Nature Explorium (J769)
For families with children ages 3 and up
Join us for some fun summertime crafts and activities in the Nature Explorium.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
6:00pm �?8:00pm Centereach

Nature Sketch (J827)
For children entering 3rd through 6th grade
Join us to observe, sketch, journal, and share the beauty of nature in our Nature Explorium.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
    10:00am �?11:00am      Centereach
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
    10:00am �?11:00am      Centereach
Thursday, August 9, 2012
    10:00am �?11:00am      Centereach
OR
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
    11:00am-12:00pm      Centereach
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
    11:00am-12:00pm      Centereach
Thursday, August 9, 2012
    11:00am-12:00pm      Centereach

Summer Stories: Fireflies (J741)
For parents/caregivers ages 4-5 years old.
Flashing fireflies and lightning bugs light up the night in this story time! Listen to the stories about fireflies and make a special craft.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
10:00am �?10:45am Centereach
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
11:00am �?11:45am Centereach

Tweens Turning Green (J828)
For children entering 4th and 5th grade
Go green and make a carton wallet! Recycle a milk or orange juice carton into a clever carrying case for change, trading cards, and more. This program is sponsored by HSBC.
Friday, August 17, 2012
2:00pm �?3:00pm Centereach

Make Your Own Demigod Diary (J794)
For children entering 4th �?6th grade
Let's celebrate the release of Rick Riordan's latest Heroes of Olympus book! Join us for a fun craft and take home your very own demigod diary.
Friday, August 24, 2012
2:00pm �?3:00pm Centereach

Nature Exploration: Patterns and Camouflage (J783)
For children entering 3rd �?5th grade
Listen to stories and participate in fun activities about how animal's color and patterns help them to blend into their environment.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
1:30pm �?2:30pm Centereach
OR
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
1:30pm �?2:30pm Centereach

Family Night Under the Stars (J789)
For families with children entering Pre-K �?2nd grade. Older and younger siblings welcome!
Enjoy a story time under the stars; make an edible camp fire and your very own constellation.
This program is sponsored by Astoria Federal Savings.
Friday, July 13, 2012
6:00pm �?6:45pm Centereach
Friday, July 13, 2012
7:00pm �?7:45pm Centereach

Traces of Nature (J788)
For children entering 2nd �?3rd grade
Listen to some wonderful stories about nature and make a print to take home using leaves and other natural materials and special nature-print paper.
Recognition of the National Grid Foundation for their partnership.
Friday, July 20, 2012
2:00pm �?2:45pm Centereach
OR
Friday, July 20, 2012
3:00pm �?3:45pm Centereach

Go Outside: Rocks & Dirt! (J825)
For families with children entering K �?3rd grade (older and younger siblings welcome). *Parent/caregivers must attend program*.
These engaging outdoor activities will encourage family exploration of nature.
Thursday, July 5,2012
   4:00pm �?5:00pm      Centereach
Friday, July 6, 2012
   10:00am �?11:00am      Centereach
Monday, July 30, 2012
   10:00am �?11:00am      Centereach
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
   4:00pm �?5:00pm      Centereach

Recognition of

Seedfolks (T613)
For teens entering 6th �?12th grade
Join us to read "Seedfolks" by Paul Fleishman, a book about an urban garden that brings a new sense of hope and community to a bleak Cleveland neighborhood. After reading the book, we will spend time helping out at Hobbs Farm, a community garden located right here in Centereach! Participants must attend all three sessions in order to receive community service credit.
This program is sponsored by Astoria Federal Savings.
Monday, August 6, 2012
   6:00pm �?7:30pm      Centereach
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
   6:00pm �?7:30pm      Hobbs Farm
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
   6:00pm �?7:30pm      Hobbs Farm

Green Teens (T626)
For teens entering 6th �?12th grade
Want to make a difference in the world? Join the Green Teens club and discuss environmental issues, work on eco-friendly projects, go on field trips, and receive community service credit for participating. To join the club, you must fill out a Green Teens application available online or at any reference desk. If you have any questions, please contact Kristine Tanzi at (631) 585-9393, ext. 230 or Sara Fade at (631) 585-9393, ext. 218.
This program is sponsored by HSBC.

Parachute Play! (J739)
For parents/caregivers with children ages 18 �?36 months
Come enjoy singing, dancing, and games around our parachute.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
   10:00am �?10:30am      Centereach
Thursday, July 5, 2012
   10:45am �?11:15am     Centereach
OR
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
   10:00am �?10:30am     Centereach
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
   10:45am �?11:15am     Centereach

Starry Night Library Treasure Hunt (J811)
For children entering K �?2nd grade
Join us for a fun interactive treasure hunt under the stars!
Monday, July 23, 2012
6:30pm �?7:15pm Centereach
Monday, July 23, 2012
7:30pm �?8:15pm Centereach

Nighttime Explorers (J737)
For parents/caregivers with children ages 2 �?3 years old
Tire out your little one with a fun night of exploration!
Friday, July 27, 2012
6:30pm �?7:15pm Centereach

Sponsored by

Jungle Bob Storytimes (J823)
CHOOSE TWO DATES
For children entering 1st �?4th grade
Join Jungle Bob for a fun critter tale and stay for a meet-and-greet with some of his live animal friends.
The Race is on: Turtles vs Tortoises
Saturday, July 7, 2012
    10:00am �?10:45am      Centereach
OR
I Wanna Iguana
Saturday, August 4, 2012
    10:00am �?10:45am      Centereach
OR
Lounging Lizard
Saturday, September 1, 2012
    10:00am �?10:45am      Centereach

Nature Exploration: Patterns and Camouflage (J783)
For children entering 3rd �?5th grade
Listen to stories and participate in fun activities about how animal's color and patterns help them to blend into their environment.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
1:30pm �?2:30pm Centereach
OR
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
1:30pm �?2:30pm Centereach

Family Night Under the Stars (J789)
For families with children entering Pre-K �?2nd grade. Older and younger siblings welcome!
Enjoy a story time under the stars; make an edible camp fire and your very own constellation.
This program is sponsored by Astoria Federal Savings.
Friday, July 13, 2012
6:00pm �?6:45pm Centereach
Friday, July 13, 2012
7:00pm �?7:45pm Centereach

Traces of Nature (J788)
For children entering 2nd �?3rd grade
Listen to some wonderful stories about nature and make a print to take home using leaves and other natural materials and special nature-print paper.
Recognition of the National Grid Foundation for their partnership.
Friday, July 20, 2012
2:00pm �?2:45pm Centereach
OR
Friday, July 20, 2012
3:00pm �?3:45pm Centereach

Reader's Theater Workshop (J804)
For children in 3rd �?5th grade
Practice and perform familiar fairytales for your family and friends using a reader's theater format. Please plan on attending all three sessions. (We will practice on Monday, Tuesday and perform on the Nature Explorium stage on Wednesday.)
Practice-July 23, 24 Performance- Wednesday, July 25
1:00pm �?2:00pm Centereach
OR
2:30pm �?3:30pm Centereach

Between the Books: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (J812)
For children entering 1st �?3rd grade
Listen to the story: Sylvester and The Magic Pebble and paint your own magic pebble. Each child will receive a Between The Lions DVD of the episode to take home.
Friday, July 27, 2012
2:00pm �?2:45pm Centereach

Once Upon a Rain Drop (J832)
For children entering K �?2nd grade
Listen to stories about rain and make a rain gauge to take home that lets you measure up to four inches of rain.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
10:30am �?11:15am Centereach
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
11:30am �?12:15pm Centereach

Little Prints (J748)
For parents/caregivers with children ages 3 �?4 years old
Make flower prints using your little ones' hands and feet.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
10:00am �?10:30am Centereach
Thursday, August 2, 2012
11:00am �?11:30am Centereach

Between the Books: The Carrot Seed (J805)
For children entering 1st �?3rd grade
Listen to stories about seeds and planting while making a Plant Pal to take home. Each child will receive a Between The Lions DVD of the episode to take home.
Friday, August 3, 2012
2:00pm �?2:45pm Centereach

Seedfolks (T613)
For teens entering 6th �?12th grade
Join us to read "Seedfolks" by Paul Fleishman, a book about an urban garden that brings a new sense of hope and community to a bleak Cleveland neighborhood. After reading the book, we will spend time helping out at Hobbs Farm, a community garden located right here in Centereach! Participants must attend all three sessions in order to receive community service credit.
This program is sponsored by Astoria Federal Savings.
Monday, August 6, 2012
    6:00pm �?7:30pm      Centereach
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
    6:00pm �?7:30pm      Hobbs Farm
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
    6:00pm �?7:30pm      Hobbs Farm

Feeling Fall (J759)
Families and children ages 2 ½ and up
A storycraft program to help welcome the fall season.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
10:00am �?12:00pm Centereach

Pizza Harvest (J782)
For children in K �?5th grade
Join us for a story about pizza and the ingredients used. Then create your own personal pizza to take home using ingredients grown over the summer in our "Pizza Garden" in the Nature Explorium. If you have any food allergies, please let us know at the time of registration.
Recognition of the National Grid Foundation for their partnership.
Monday, September 24, 2012
4:30pm �?5:30pm Centereach
Monday, September 24, 2012
6:00pm �?7:00pm Centereach