Junior Curator & Junior WILD! Keepers

Junior Curator

Ages 11 – 13

Established in 1949, our Junior Curator Program gives children a unique opportunity to experience life on a real farm. It is the SM&NC's official hands-on junior volunteer program, and consists of four sessions this season.

This program provides an overview of basic animal care and experiential learning on Heckscher Farm. The program includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the farm and various hands-on experiences, such as cleaning and feeding of animals. Upon completion of the program, each participant will be eligible to become a farm volunteer.

Space is limited to 6 participants per session.

Junior WILD! Keepers

Ages 11 – 13

Similar to the Junior Curator program, Junior WILD! Keepers was established in 2015, with the opening of our Heckscher WILD! exotic animal exhibit. The Junior WILD! Keepers program gives participants hands-on experience in the care, feeding, and enrichment of our exotic teaching animals. After completing the class, participants will then choose a day for more in-depth training with our animal care staff. Upon successful completion of both the class and training, participants will then be eligible to volunteer with the animals in the Heckscher WILD! exhibit.  Each session is limited to 6 participants.  Must be 11 by start of program.

For more information, contact Lisa Monachelli

Learn more about
Junior Curator's History!
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Registration Opens

Monday, March 17
Director's Circle, Family Premium & Family Plus Members

Thursday, March 20
Family Level Members

Eligibility

Ages 11 – 13

* Our Fall Sessions of both Junior Curator and Junior WILD! Keepers are open to Non-Members as well as Members.

* Our Summer Sessions are open to SM&NC Members only.

Junior Curator & Junior WILD! Keeper Sessions

Junior WILD! Keepers

June 19, 2024
January 25 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Heckscher WILD!
$60 – $75

Junior WILD! Keepers Saturday, January 25 9 am – noon Ages 11 – 13 Our Junior WILD! Keepers program gives participants a hands-on experience in the care, feeding, and enrichment of these animals. After completing the class, participants will then choose a later date for more in-depth training with our animal care staff. Upon successful completion of both the…

Parent Information for Junior Curator & Junior WILD! Keeper Programs

Program Note: Students may register for a maximum of one (1) Junior Curator and one (1) Junior WILD! Keeper session. Students who have previously completed a class, even in a previous year, may not enroll in that class again. Multiple registrations for different weeks of the same program will be cancelled and refunded.
Learn more about
Junior Curator's History

Youth & Family Program Policies

    • Refunds may be available for a registered program up to 10 days before the program date. Within 10 days refunds are, unfortunately, not available. Please register carefully.
    • Contact registration at 203.977.6521 for refunds. Programs cancelled by SM&NC will be refunded in full.
    • Ticket transfers are not permitted. Only registered parties may attend in their program time/date.
    • Please note age requirements.  Registrations outside of the age minimums/maximums will be cancelled and may not be refunded.
    • Please note registration requirements.  Some programs are drop-off and some require adult attendance.
    • All participants age 3 and up who attend a program require a ticket for individually-ticketed events.
    • This policy does not apply to any Summer Camp, Summer Wonder Art, or other program that is covered under our Summer Camp refund policies. Please refer to our summer camp pages for more information on these policies.

For registration assistance or questions, please contact Visitor Services at 203.977.6521.