September - Monarch Watch
Discover the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly. As summer comes to an end, millions of monarchs begin their annual journey to Mexico. This amazing insect weighs as much as a paper clip, and can fly distances over 2000 miles! The University of Kansas coordinates a network of volunteers dedicated to monitoring the fall migration. This program includes field observations and a chance to catch a wild monarch. Nature permitting, selected participants will tag monarchs with a naturalist.
September through December - Dark Wings
Discover the creatures that rule the night -bats and owls. See the lighter side of these animals who have long been a source of fear in the dark.
October - Changing Trees
The Adirondacks are alive with color in the fall. This is an ideal time to learn about trees while exploring one of Up Yonda's woodland trails. Topics will include the functions of tree parts, and keys to identifying common local species. Trees are an important natural resource, so we'll take a look at some of the ways they benefit people and wildlife.
November & December - Ready or Not
As winter approaches, animals and plants prepare for the change in different ways. We will examine how wildlife survives the season of cold and wind. Activities will focus on migration, hibernation, and adaptations. This program will feature the wildlife exhibit in our museum, and includes an outdoor hike to look for animal activity.
January & February - Starlab
The portable planetarium known as Starlab is used for this program. Presentations are held indoors during the day. Topics include: Star patterns, Star names, The Solar System, Constellations, Greek Mythology, and Native American Storytelling.
School programs run from sixty to ninety minutes, depending on the grade level. Starlab accommodates roughly 25(K-3rd) or 20 (4th-6th) grade students. Limit one class per trip. Please book separate time slots for additional classes. The cost is $5 per person.
January & February - Snowshoeing
Up Yonda staff is excited to offer snowshoeing this winter. The program includes a brief look at the history and techniques of the sport. Then we will travel the trails looking for signs of animal activity. Commonly seen tracks include: fox, white-tailed deer, turkey, squirrel, crow, feral cat, and more. Best of all, we will have a fine time playing in the Adirondack outdoors! Come enjoy the property during one of the most beautiful times of the year.
Snowshoeing is available to schools on weekdays, with public programs on selected Saturdays in January and February. A limited number of Tubbs snowshoes will be available. We have adult and child sizes. You may bring your own snowshoes if you like. Rentals are available for use on the property.
Group size is limited. Adequate snow cover is required. We look forward to seeing you this winter!
March - Maple Sugaring
In March, come to Up Yonda and discover the craft that has become a legend in the northeast. As the sun begins to warm the trunks of sugar maple trees, sap starts to flow. This marks the start of the sugaring season in the Adirondacks. Join us for Maple Sugar Basics and enjoy the process that yields sweet reward! We'll tap, collect, and boil the sap of sugar maples on the property. We'll cover all the steps to get from sap to syrup. Our sugar house makes this popular program even better!
April - Teacher's Choice
We offer a wide array of outreach programs that can be conducted at your location or here at Up Yonda Farm. Check out our Outreach Program offerings to see what you might be interested in doing in April. Please note that some programs are season dependent.
May & June - Aquatic Adventure
Discover the creatures that live in and around a freshwater pond. Take a closer look at the water boatman, giant water bug, dragonfly nymph and other aquatic insects that many people have never seen. Observation in larval and adult stages makes metamorphosis believable. Find out how these animals have adapted to life underwater, and how they are all connected to each other. This program encourages hands-on participation through net sampling of bottom sediments. Don't worry, we are also likely to see frogs and fish.
May & June - Honeybees: The Pollinators
What attracts the honeybee to the flower? These social insects work full time for the colony. See how pollination results in the production of honey. Watch the worker bees toil behind the glass in our observation hives. See if you can find the queen, and look for emerging young. You'll see some of the tools of beekeeping and learn why bees are so beneficial to all of us.