Maritime Aquarium Spring Vacation Adventures

Come down to the Maritime Aquarium Spring Vacation Adventures for children ages 6 to 9.

Spend time during April vacation off from school and  venture off to Africa, peer into the microscopic world, dabble in motion and lots more.

There will also be pre-care from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and extended care from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. each day.

Please see the following schedule for specifics for each day:

 Mon., Apr. 18: “For the Birds”
Youngsters make the most of the Aquarium’s riverfront location by learning to use binoculars to spot and identify local waterfowl along the river. They’ll build a birdhouse or feeder, and play a bird beak game that teaches about the feeding adaptations of different birds.

 Tues., Apr. 19:   “Sound Art” (ages 6-7) 
Delight your child’s creative side. Participants will observe animals up close, learn different artistic techniques and then apply what they’ve learned to their art projects. From photography to sculpture, painting to cartooning, they’ll create masterpieces to show off at an art show at the end of the day, to which parents are welcome to attend. (Kids should bring old clothes or a smock).

“Jr. Aquarist for a Day” (ages 8-9)
Dive right into marine biology! Your little aquarist will participate in hands-on activities designed to illustrate the
biodiversity and adaptations of marine life in Long Island Sound. They’ll work with microscopes and intertidal animals,
design a fish experiment, prepare food for our resident animals, and participate in a dissection.

 Wed., Apr. 20: “Africa Day”
We bring far-away Africa right here to Norwalk! Your scientist will visit our “Africa: From the Desert to the Sea” exhibit for an up-close encounter with our African meerkats, fish and reptiles. Youngsters discover the amazing animals of the land and water worlds of Africa, and top the day off with a live African-animal presentation by Animal Embassy.





– “Motion Madness”
Ready! Set! Go! Your child will team up with educators from Stepping Stones Museum for Children for an action-packed day to explore different aspects of motion. They’ll use a variety of materials to construct cars, boats and rockets and the structures on which they travel. They will then visit the watery world of our marine animals and discover how legs, fins or flippers help them to move!
Fri., April 22 – “Earth Day”
Why is Earth called the “blue planet?” Your student will learn how we are connected, and that what we do in our yards affects Long Island Sound. They’ll go on an outdoor river walk (weather permitting) and visit the Aquarium’s “Seasons of Change” exhibit to learn about the impacts of climate change. The day will be topped off with learning about things they can do to help the environment.

Cost of “Spring Vacation Adventures” programs is $85 per day or $385 for the full week. Pre-care is $15 additional per day or $65 for the week. Extended-care is $30 per day or $130 for the week.

Children should bring a snack, a bag lunch and an appetite for adventure.

Space is limited and advance registration is required.  For reservations or more details, call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206.

For more details about all of the Aquarium’s programs, exhibits and IMAX movies, go online to www.MaritimeAquarium.org.

# # #




Press materials are available on the Aquarium web site:
www.MaritimeAquarium.org/about_press.html

Download a variety of Aquarium photos, whenever they're needed, on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/maritimeaquarium. You can also receive specific photos via e-mail or a photo CD.  Contact Dave Sigworth.

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk inspires people of all ages to appreciate Long Island Sound and protect it for future generations. A vibrant and entertaining learning environment, it achieves this goal through living exhibits, marine science, and environmental education.

The Maritime Aquarium receives support from the State of Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.