Beginning January 10, the Rogers Center will host Nature's Nursery program, designed for children ages 2 - 5 years old, meeting Wednesday mornings from 8:15 to 10:15 a.m. for two hours of stories, songs, and outdoor exploration. (Photos from facebook.com/RogersEEC)

SHERBURNE – It's never too late to introduce young children to the wonders of nature and what better place to start than the Nature’s Nursery creative program at Friends of Rogers Environmental Center, Inc.

The Nature's Nursery program provides children ages two to five the opportunity to explore the outdoors and learn new concepts and games from 8:15 to 10:15 a.m. Wednesday mornings, January 10 through March 6, located at 2721 State Route 80 in Sherburne.

Children's Program Coordinator Jenni Larchar said she has been with Friends of Rogers since 2010 when operation of the center shifted from New York State and said she has been running programs for  kids at Rogers for over ten years.

Larchar said the Nature's Nursery program began in the fall of 2015. The class runs with about six to twelve children and she likes to pack in as much outdoor adventure as possible. 

She said they begin with indoor story time and songs and then venture outside to  explore nature in the fenced yard overlooking the Channels Marsh and the acreage  surrounding the Visitor Center, where the indoor classroom is located.

"Experimenting and exploring with friends is at the core of the Nursery program," Larchar said. "Nature leads our activities, and the children feel safe to be inquisitive and seek their own answers as they search and observe."

"I enjoy exploring  the outdoors with young children. We learn together to be aware of the natural world around us," she said. "We become more observant, and we develop our abilities to be creative in our play."

Larchar said the extreme winter weather may keep them indoors but at those times they may don snow pants and gloves to bring buckets of snow inside to manipulate.

 She said the children have opportunities to experiment with water colors, ice, owl pellets, dirt, fossils, furs and skulls and many other exciting tools and specimens.

"Our area is blessed to have Rogers Center as a place to enjoy and explore outdoors. Nature’s Nursery and Storytime & Hike are great programs to introduce young ones to exploring nature and developing social skills as they learn together," said Larchar.

 The program runs while Sherburne-Earlville schools are in session. If there is a snow day and school is cancelled, the program is also cancelled.

The cost is $125 for an eight week session and can be prorated in case of late registrations.

Children should be prepared for outdoor weather and bring snow pants, boots, mittens, a change of shoes, two changes of clothing, extra socks,  sippy  cup and or a water bottle. Sunscreen and/or insect repellent should be applied prior to arrival at Nature’s Nursery.

Friends of Rogers is the nonprofit that runs the Environmental Education Center Programs. For more information or to register, go to  www.friendsofrogers.org/natures-nursery  or email  jenni@friendsofrogers.org  or call 607-674-4733.