You can ensure every child has the opportunity to experience nature play in Grasshopper Grove. No family should ever be turned away for lack of funds.
Every child should have the chance to learn, play and explore in nature, but the unfortunate reality is that not every child does. For many, in spite of having the abundant natural resources of the Hudson Valley right at their fingertips, this opportunity remains out of reach. At the Nature Museum, we believe a connection to nature is a vital part of a healthy childhood – something no child should have to do without. That’s why our school and community programs are always offered at a fraction of their actual cost and why, whenever possible, we partner with organizations that work with underserved children, providing them free programming that makes nature education and play accessible to these children who need it most. But there is still so much more to do.
That’s why we are establishing the Grasshopper Gives Fund. In its first year, this scholarship fund will ensure that no child or family is ever turned away from the gates of Grasshopper Grove – be it for a day of play or to attend special programs – due to lack of funds. In time, we hope to expand the Grasshopper Gives Fund to include covering summer camp fees and tuition for the Young Naturalist Preschool for children who would otherwise not be able to attend.
$5= 1 child in Grasshopper Grove
$10= 2 children in Grasshopper Grove
$20= 4 children in Grasshopper Grove
$50= 10 children in Grasshopper Grove
$100= 20 children in Grasshopper Grove
To receive a Grasshopper Gives Scholarship, contact Director of Development Jessica Oliveri at joliveri@hhnm.org or call 845-534-5506 with your name, number of adults and children in your party (including yourself), requested date and time, and the phone number or email you can best be reached at.
A Grasshopper Gives Scholarship can be utilized as often as the family would like to attend!
Click here to watch a video to learn about Grasshopper Grove
What is Grasshopper Grove?
Grasshopper Grove is a ‘bridge’ between a mowed lawn and the wild woods, that inspires children to discover nature play spaces in their own backyards and the wider world. Natural elements are at the heart of child-centered play. They have the opportunity to experience things that many children miss out on in today's over-scheduled and technology driven world. In Grasshopper Grove, children will be encouraged to explore this world around them, get dirty and above all, have fun! Children can use their imaginations to build in the ‘loose parts’ area, and combine a slab of slate, rainwater and a paint brush to create an artistic masterpiece. They can hop from stump to stump, play in the sand and dirt pile and more! These simple activities strengthen hand-eye coordination and muscle development while fostering creativity, critical thinking, appropriate risk-taking, problem solving and cooperation which are all critical to healthy childhood development. It’s a gateway to Nature Play!