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Programs at Patterson Park Audubon Center
Audubon After-School Adventure Programs

Yearly, the Patterson Park Audubon Center conducts about 90 after-school programs with students in grades 2-4. All of our programs are designed to bring students into the park and up close with nature. Programs are held once a week for 10 to 15 consecutive weeks, with each session lasting between 1 to 2 hours. During each session, the group takes walking field trips to Patterson Park to discover the wildlife that inhabits Baltimore’s best back yard! A new program begins every fall and spring semester.

In the fall of 2007, students from various schools and organizations throughout the Patterson park community took part in the after-school program, Winging It In Baltimore. The program allowed students to take to the park to learn about the many birds that call Baltimore home. During this session, students learned a lot about our feathered friends including:

• what makes bird flight possible
• the different habitats of various birds
• how to sing like an American Gold Finch
• the tiring task of feeding a nest full of chicks
• how to weave a nest like a Baltimore Oriole
• why birds have different feet and beaks
• how to navigate using a compass
• why birds migrate and the obstacles they face during migration
• how to get an up close look by using binoculars
• fascinating facts about pigeon life
• communication styles of birds

In the spring of 2008, Audubon After-School Adventures will continue with Chesapeake Bay Adventures, a program that focuses on the unique life forms that live in the bay’s waters and on the surrounding landscape. There is also a strong emphasis on why it is important to keep these areas clean and pollution free. Students will learn about the water cycle, how to test if water is clean, what they can do to help clean up their neighborhood, ways to prevent pollution, what creatures rely on the bay and it’s surrounding watershed for their survival, along with many other fun activities that will teach them about our bay and why we should protect it.

After-school programming is offered to community partners such as Hampstead Hill Academy, the Julie Community Center, the Virginia S. Baker Recreation Center, Education Latino Based Outreach (EBLO), and Patterson Park Public Charter School. If your child is involved with any of these schools or centers and would like to participate, they can inquire about an application from their main office. Parents are welcome and encouraged to participate in the fun of after-school programs!

We look forward to seeing everyone in the park this spring!!!

A few kind words from enthusiastic after-school parents:

Thank you for all of your hard work and energy with the kids! My child was so excited about her pin, but mostly about being a part of a "flock."

I am so glad that you are working with these children- my children! Thank you for opening up the park to them!

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