Home » Education ProgramsEducation ProgramsSign up for our many nature-themed classes, programs for kids and families, or wellness and horticultural programs for adults. * If financial assistance would help make participation possible, or you have difficulty registering, please reach out to michellew@montclairfoundation.org for more information. Children and Family Programs View our Currrent Children & Family Programs Schedule Outdoor Adventures: Join us in the gardens as you and your family explore and learn about the outdoor world. Each program focuses on a nature-related themes and includes crafts, scavenger hunts, activity sheets and displays. Tales on the Trails Pre-K: Discover the wonders of the outdoor world with your little one. This program begins in the gardens of Van Vleck with a story, then continues with a walk and concludes with a simple craft or activity. Garden Programs: We offer a variety of gardening classes and programs for children and families. Our Garden to Table class includes both gardening and cooking, using our Edible Garden as inspiration. Family Programs: Various programs are offered throughout all four seasons for families who enjoy learning together about nature and gardening. Guest presenters and Van Vleck staff introduce topics such as maple sugaring, birds of prey, arboreal animals, bats, pollinators and more. Partner Programs: Van Vleck partners with local organizations, like the Montclair Art Museum to offer a fun-filled summer camp and the Judy Weston Garden. Scout, Field Trips, and Small Group Programs Scouts / Fieldtrips / Small Groups: The educational staff at Van Vleck offers an array of programs designed to educate children about the natural world in an engaging and interactive way. Please contact our education staff to learn more about booking a program for scouts, schools, homeschool groups, or other small groups. Schedule, timing and pricing varies depending on the group and selected program. Adult Programs View our Currrent Adult Program Schedule Yoga Classes: Weekly yoga classes are held from September through June in the living room of the Van Vleck house (hybrid-virtual option available). In addition, seasonal Garden Yoga classes are offered outdoors in the early evenings or on weekends. All levels from beginner to experienced yogis are welcome. Meditation: Join contemporary spiritual teacher and author Ramananda John E. Welshons for a series of evening meditation classes in the comfort of your own home via Zoom. Classes focus on practices working with fear and anxiety, and offer reflections on our current environment. Open to beginners and experienced practitioners. Mindfulness: Van Vleck offers a variety of mindfulness classes year round held in the gardens and inside our main house to help you reconnect with yourself and the world around you. Horticulture and Nature Classes: Throughout the seasons our knowledgeable staff offers horticulture, birding and other nature-related classes that educate and encourage a lifelong learning of the outdoor world. In addition, small groups can arrange a private tour or program with our Director of Horticulture, Laura Roberts. Creative Arts Classes: Van Vleck offers a variety of creative arts classes throughout the year from painting to natural decorating. Partner Programs: Van Vleck partners with Montclair Institute for Lifelong Learning (MILL), Montclair Art Museum (MAM), The Adult School of Montclair and The Judy Weston Garden to offer a variety of classes throughout the year. Private Adult Group Programs Small groups can arrange a private tour or program with our Director of Horticulture, Laura Roberts at laura@montclairfoundation.org Private Group Horticulture Topics Walking Tours TopicsWhat’s in Bloom (1 hour) See the garden from a horticulturist’s point of view. Join Laura Roberts, Director of Horticulture at Van Vleck, for a refreshing stroll through the grounds to discover the beauty of the season. Tour will feature all that is exciting right now from enchanting details to majestic specimens. Tree Identification (1 hour) Join Laura Roberts, ISA certified arborist and NJ licensed tree expert, for an exploration of trees on the Van Vleck grounds. Sharpen your observation skills as you gain a deeper understanding of characteristics that distinguish one species from another Fragrance Beyond Flowers (1 hour) Let’s experience the garden in a new way. Laura Roberts invites you to engage your senses and explore the numerous fragrant plants throughout the Van Vleck Gardens. Let your nose lead the way to roots, stems, leaves and flowers with distinct scents. Lecture Topics Tree Planting and Maintenance – Avoiding Common Mistakes (2 hours) Let’s explore the cause of many tree problems: ourselves! Learning to recognize common errors made by those of us who purchase, install and care for trees in the landscape is a first step toward enhanced beauty and better survival. Here’s your chance to get it right from the very beginning. Participants will learn from examples of “tree care gone wrong” and awaken to a greater awareness of what they should be doing instead. Garden Invaders (1 ½ hours) You can be a garden hero. Learn to spot insects and diseases that have escaped their native habitats and now pose a threat to our gardens, forests, and farms. Let’s equip ourselves with the knowledge to fight for the safety of our plants. In Good Taste (2 hours) Whether incorporating edible elements into an existing landscape or creating a space dedicated to food production, these plants offer an exciting palette for the adventurous gardener. Explore some delicious options for achieving beautiful design. Demos & Hands-On Topics Shadow Drawing in Nature (1 hour) Creative fun for all levels of artistic talent… explore the garden to find your favorite shadow and transform it into a watercolor masterpiece. Inspiration and supplies provided for your use. *This program is weather-dependent. We will need a sunny day. Garden How-To (2 hours) Join Van Vleck’s Director of Horticulture for a behind the scenes look at how we keep the garden beautiful. Discussion, demonstration, and some hands-on participation…Details vary by season. Natural Decorating Demo – Assorted Ornaments and More (2 hours) Bring nature indoors for the holidays. Plants provide us with a wide variety of beautiful pods, seeds, leaves, branches and berries. Laura Roberts will demonstrate a wide variety of decorations that can be created from natural materials. Learn how you can turn some unlikely materials into ornaments, centerpieces, swags and wreaths. You will never look at your garden the same way again! Demonstration only. Natural Decorating Demo – Pinecone Wreath (1 hour) Add a touch of nature to any home. Laura Roberts will demonstrate the process of creating a pinecone wreath from frame to fabulous. Decorating ideas will focus on the wide assortment of natural items collected from the Van Vleck grounds. Demo only. Natural Decorating – Ornament Making (1 hour) Learn how to turn ordinary items from your garden into a collection of ornaments that will add beauty to your holiday decor. Laura Roberts, Director of Horticulture, will guide your group in the creation of unique nature-inspired items. Choose two from our list of available ornament designs. Natural Decorating – Pinecone Wreath Making (2 hours) Add a touch of nature to any home. Create and decorate your own wreath made from pinecones. Laura Roberts will guide your group through the process. Choose decorations from a wide assortment of natural items collected from the gardens of Van Vleck. Includes one wreath per person. Browse our Calendar
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