Established in 1949, our Junior Curator Program gives children a unique opportunity to experience life on a real farm. The Junior Curator Program is the Museum's junior volunteer program and consists of five sessions. Similar to the Junior Curator program, WILD! Keepers gives participants hands-on experience in the care, feeding, and enrichment of our exotic teaching animals.
Junior Curator
AGES 11-13
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!
Members: $140 | Non-members: $160
Summer Camp Dates
Summer camp times: 3 - 5 pm
Session 1: July 15-19 Code: JC1
Session 2: July 29-August 2 Code: JC2
Session 3: August 12-16 Code: JC3
Program Note: Children may register for a maximum of 1 Junior Curator and 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 by SM&NC staff.
For information on Junior Curator classes, contact Victoria Jaffery at 203.968.8362 or by e-mail.
Fall Sessions
Monday-Friday, September 16-20, 3:30-5pm
Monday-Friday, October 7-11, 3:30-5pm
Junior WILD! Keeper
AGES 11-13
Junior WILD! Keepers was established in 2015, with the opening of our Heckscher WILD! exotic animal exhibit. Similar to the Junior Curator program, WILD! Keepers gives participants ages 11-13 hands-on experience in the care, feeding, and enrichment of our exotic teaching animals, from chinchillas to lizards. Upon completion of this class, participants are eligible to volunteer with the animals in the Heckscher WILD! exhibit.
Members: $140 | Non-members: $160
Summer Camp Dates
Summer camp times: 3 - 5 pm
July 15-19 Code: JWK1
July 29-August 2 Code: JWK2
August 12-16 Code: JWK3
Program Note: Children may register for a maximum of 1 Junior Curator and 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 by SM&NC staff.
For information on the Junior WILD! Keepers classes, contact Sydnee Foster at 203.977.6540 or by e-mail.
Fall Sessions
Monday-Friday, September 23-27, 3:30-5pm
Junior Environmental Educators Summer 2019
AGES 15-17
The SM&NC JEE program is aimed at students ages 15-17 who have an interest in education and the environment.
Positions are available during our five weeks of summer camp:
- July 8-12
- July 15-20
- July 23-27
- July 29-Aug 2
- Aug 5-9
JEE staff will assist educators in many aspects on the camp program, including preparation, group management, morning check-in, afternoon pick-up, and activity coordination. JEE staff will receive hands-on training in developing age-appropriate, innovative environmental education curriculum, in Connecticut natural history and in managing a multi-age, co-ed group. JEE participants must be 15 by the start of camp, be able to commit to a minimum of 5 camp days and be willing to submit a current medical record for camp files. JEE participants and their parents must sign off on a volunteer code of conduct.
Selected volunteers are required to attend an orientation session for an overview of responsibilities and camp curriculum. Orientations for selected candidates will be held on June 10, June 11, and June 18 from 3:30-4:30pm.
Application fee: $80
For more information on the program, please contact Lisa Monachelli at 203.977.6568 or lmonachelli@stamfordmuseum.org