Summer Programs — Half II — provide enjoyable, out of doors experiences

Set on the historic lands of Sylvester Manor, the Summer Youth Program permits youngsters to spend their days among the many bushes, soil, and wildlife, discovering the enjoyment and curiosity that include being immersed in nature.

Midsummer is an additional week firstly of summer season, June 22-26, and is on the market for a restricted variety of youngsters. A competition of flowers and crowns and maypole intertwines with the kids performing Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” to welcome summer season.

The Traditional Summer Program encompasses encounters in nature whereas integrating environmentally infused content material. Children have first-hand experiences rising and harvesting on a working farm, livestock and fiber and the magical essence of the forest as they sing and dance beneath her cover.

Meadowlarks (ages 2-3 ½) 

Little Sprouts (ages 3 ½,-5) [must be 3 years old by January 1, 2026]

Young Farmers (ages 6-8)

Fig & Forest: A Culinary Adventure  (Ages Sep 11) 

Pairing meals, artwork, storytelling and music, each day actions might embrace understanding kitchen security and what makes up a business kitchen, the origins of culinary arts, visiting the farm, foraging for substances, studying about sustainable farming practices, having fun with a hayride, taking good care of the Children’s Garden and experimenting with native visitor cooks. 

Forest Theatre (Ages 7-15) Dancing Moths (ages 7-11); Wing & Song (ages 12-15)

The youngsters will transfer by music and dance as a foundation for tradition and communication by poignant storytelling and spirited motion. Each program will culminate in a uniquely genuine efficiency, within the forest.

Endeavors within the Afternoon (Ages 6-11)

A brand new program, Endeavors takes the place of the earlier Extended Day Program. Each week’s theme invitations youngsters to discover the world round them by animals, imaginative tales, music, motion, forest buildings, movie making, artifacts and extra. 

DIRT Extended Day (Ages 3 ½-5) 

Dig. Inquire. Roam. Try. (DIRT). A brand new afternoon program, the place youngsters are free to precise their marvel within the parts of play within the pure world–sticks, dust, mud kitchen, storytelling, portray within the wild. 

STEM @ Sylvester Manor (Ages 8-12) 

Using the Manor grounds as their laboratory, children will have interaction in hands-on discovery studying. Young scientists will ask questions, make observations and create options. Led by Shelter Island School Math Teacher, Jimbo Theinert, children will study all the things from constructing buildings utilizing pure objects, to creating mixtures and options, to figuring out native crops and animals, to experimenting with leaves and creating bodily sensory boards.

O.W.L.S. (Outdoor Wilderness Living Skills) — Ages 8-12. 

O.W.L.S. teaches children the way to determine, keep away from and cope with widespread hazards encountered outside, whereas exploring all of Sylvester Manor’s terrain: Farm, Field, Forest and Wetlands. Led by Shelter Island native and out of doors fanatic Jimbo Theinert, this system will immerse children in an action-packed expertise of genuine wilderness coaching, exploring and expertise constructing.

Junior Farm Crew (Ages 10-14)

Junior Farm Crew has a hands-on week working alongside farmers as true apprentices on the land. This isn’t a category about farming. It’s farming.

From pulling weeds and transplanting seedlings to harvesting crops and studying what makes wholesome soil tick, individuals will expertise the rhythms and rewards of working a historic farm from the within out.

Quintessence is an additional week on the finish of the common periods, Aug. 24-28, and is on the market for a restricted variety of youngsters. An enchanted celebration of summer season’s finish, the week is a collaboration of music and dance, foraging and getting ready for a forest to desk soiree on the finish of the week.

Registration is now open for the 2026 season. Visit sylvestermanor.org for session dates and charges. Questions? Email [email protected]