What Will The Kids Do This Summer?

The final school bell of the 2010-2011 school year will be sounding soon. So, the next question is…what to do with the kids to keep them busy this summer?

Here at Cornell Cooperative Extension, we have some suggestions:

Visit our Butterfly House in Yaphank--just 20-minute ride from Riverhead—open Tuesdays and Thursdays June through August (also, Saturdays June 25, July 23, and August 13) from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.  Walk into a local butterfly habitat and be surrounded by our beautiful flying friends and their favorite plants. One may even take a rest on your head!  $2 donation per person requested. Suffolk County Farm and Education Center, 350 Yaphank Ave., right off the LI.E.

 Or, maybe the kids would like to learn to garden? The Children’s Garden runs on Wednesdays July 6 through August 24 from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Children grow tomatoes, peppers and sunflowers, learn about the herb garden and strawberry patch, collect lady bugs, make compost, take hayrides and have fun in the butterfly and bird garden! At the end of the eight-week session, participants have a celebratory feast with the food from the garden! This program is for ages five and older and the cost for the entire season is $50 per child ($75 for two children from same family) Register in advance!!The garden is also at our Yaphank Farm, a short distance from Riverhead.

While visiting the farm, open seven days to visitors, ask about our Summer Learn and Play for toddler and pre-schoolers. Sessions run all summer long!

We also have Jr. Marine Biologist programs in Babylon and Centerport that run numerous days throughout the summer. This program is for children ages 3-5.

And it’s not too late to register for summer camps sponsored by CCE in Southold, Yaphank, Babylon, East Hampton and Northport.

Go to www.ccesuffolk.org for more details on all our summer programs for kids and for adults!