School's Out; We're In! Presidents' Week 2015 - Programs for All at Greenbelt Conservency

OUTDOOR AND INDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, HIKERS AND RUNNERS

Tuesday, February 17, 10:30 am
The Presidents Behind the Parks Hike

Join us for a hike through the central Greenbelt, as we quote and discuss the U.S. Presidents who conserved parkland across America. The hike begins at the Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Avenue, Staten Island, and will last about 1 hour. This program is suitable for ages 7 years and up. Free program. Registration required.  Call 718-351-3450 or e-mail naturecenter@sigreenbelt.org.

Tuesday, February 17, 1:00 pm
Animal Tracks

Animals leave clues about where they have been. Learn how to identify Greenbelt animals by their footprints. Practice your identification skills with a game of Animal Track bingo. Weather permitting, we will take a short hike on the N trail to see tracks in the soil (or mud or snow). This program is suitable for ages 5-9. Fee: $8 non-members/$6 Greenbelt Conservancy members. Registration and pre-payment required. Call 718-351-3450 or e-mail naturecenter@sigreenbelt.org. Meet at the Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Avenue, Staten Island, NY. 

Wednesday, February 18, 10:30 am
Games our Presidents Played

Our Founding Fathers didn't have an Xbox, but they had plenty of low-tech, high-fun hobbies and games they turned to for entertainment. Join us to play like the presidents and the children of the First Families during this free Presidents' Week program. We will explore many historical favorites such as hopscotch, thaumatropes, graces, quoits, ball-in-cup, and paper dolls, learning about the history of these games of yesteryear and having lots of fun along the way. Registration required. Call 718-351-3450 or e-mail naturecenter@sigreenbelt.org. Meet at the Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Avenue, Staten Island, NY. 

Thursday, February 19, 10:30 am
Hike to Bucks Hollow

In the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of the Sheep is also referred to as the Year of the Goat.  How are the Greenbelt and goats connected? Find out on this invigorating 60-90 minute hike through the central Greenbelt and learn more about the farms that once occupied this area and discover ruins and other clues about Staten Island's pastoral past. This program is suitable for ages 7 years and up. Free program. Registration required. Call 718-351-3450 or e-mail naturecenter@sigreenbelt.org. Meet at the Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Avenue, Staten Island, NY. 

Thursday, February 19, 1:30 pm
Chinese New Year: Year of the Green Wood Sheep

Gung Hay Fat Choy - Happy New Year!  Come celebrate the Year of the Sheep at the Greenbelt Nature Center.  Learn about the history of this ancient celebration and the symbolism of the Sheep, the zodiac's most artistic sign. Create fun crafts and enjoy traditional snacks. Suitable for ages 5 and up with adult chaperone. Registration and pre-payment required. Fee $8 non-members/$6 Greenbelt Conservancy members.  Call 718-351-3450 or e-mail naturecenter@sigreenbelt.org. Meet at the Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Avenue, Staten Island, NY

Friday, February 20, 11:00 am
Drawn to Nature

Develop your child`s powers of observation, awareness, and creativity as they discover some of the amazing animals that call the Greenbelt home.  Instructions for drawing more realistic looking animals will be demonstrated as each student chooses their favorite Greenbelt animal to illustrate in colored pencil. This program is suitable for ages 8 and up. Fee per participant: $8 non-members/$6 Greenbelt Conservancy members.  Registration and pre-payment required. Call 718-351-3450 or e-mail naturecenter@sigreenbelt.org. Meet at the Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Avenue, Staten Island, NY

Saturday, February 21, 10 am 
Cold Feat 10-K Trail Race or Hike it! - Fifth Annual 
Go here to register

The Cold Feat 10-K course begins on the rolling fairways and takes you off into the surrounding Greenbelt trails - rustic and hilly.  Due to elevations, parts of this course are challenging, making that feeling of crossing the finish line even more rewarding.  We run in all weather conditions and, based on past race experiences, have found it can be done!  This race will be professionally timed culminating in an awards ceremony. Refreshments and race appropriate apparel are provided for runners. Register at: sigreenbelt.org Special student rate for those 18 and under is: $20.00. Adult registration is $30.00 and race day registration is $35.00.  If you are interested in volunteering, please RSVP by calling: 718-667-2165, ext. 311, or  email us. Jeanne.Paliswiat@parks.nyc.gov.

Saturday, February 21, 2:00 pm
Wintry Stroll

Let's enjoy the Nature Center Trail with its many silhouetted trees that uncover the hidden mysteries that can only be seen in the winter season. This leisurely paced walk will last about 1 hour and give us an opportunity to explore many of nature's clues, from animal tracks to tree buds. Free program. Suitable for ages 7 and up. Registration required. Call 718-351-3450 or e-mail naturecenter@sigreenbelt.org. Meet at the Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Avenue, Staten Island, NY

Sunday, February 22, 2:00 pm
Barking up the RIGHT Tree

A tree's bark is one of the many features that makes a tree unique AND it is the best way to tell trees apart in the winter time. Join the Greenbelt Educators as we hike along the Nature Center trail to see how many different types of trees we can find by sight, touch, or smell of the bark!  We will then capture the beauty of winter trees with a craft. This program is suitable for ages 7 and up. Fee per participant: $8 non-members/$6 Greenbelt Conservancy members. Registration and pre-payment required. Call 718-351-3450 or e-mail naturecenter@sigreenbelt.org. Meet at the Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Avenue, Staten Island, NY