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.

Registration for Spring and Summer sessions of Junior Curator and Junior WILD! Keeper opens soon! See below for dates.

Parent Information for Junior Curator & Junior WILD! Keeper Programs

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, participants will be eligible to become a farm volunteer. Space is limited! Each week is limited to 5 participants. Must be 11 by start of the program.

For information on Junior Curator classes, contact Victoria Jaffery at 203.968.8362 or by e-mail. For Registration questions, please call the front desk at 203.977.6521.

Spring 2021 sessions

Monday-Friday 3:30-5 pm

  • Session 1: April 12-16
  • Session 2: May 10-14

Members: $150 | Non-members: $170

Summer 2021 sessions

Monday-Friday, 3-5 pm

  • Session 1: June 28-July 2
  • Session 2: July 12-16
  • Session 3: July 26-30
  • Session 4: August 9-13

Members: $180 | Non-members: $200

Note: Campers in Explorers Adventure Camp can be taken by SM&NC staff directly from camp to Junior Curator.

Registration for Spring & Summer opens:

  • February 15: Family Plus and Director's Circle
  • February 22: All other SM&NC Members
  • March 1: Non-members

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.

Junior WILD! Keeper

AGES 11-13

Junior WILD! Keepers was established in 2015, with the opening of 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. Upon completion of the program, participants will be eligible to volunteer with the animals in Heckscher WILD!. Each week is limited to 5 participants. Must be 11 by start of the program.

For information on the Junior WILD! Keepers classes, contact Emily Herz at 203.977.6540 or by e-mail. For Registration questions, please call the front desk at 203.977.6521.

Spring 2021 sessions

Monday-Friday 3:30-5 pm

  • Session 1: April 5-9
  • Session 2: May 24-28

Members: $150 | Non-members: $170

Summer 2021 sessions

Monday-Friday, 3-5 pm

  • Session 1: June 21-25
  • Session 2: July 12-16
  • Session 3: August 16-20

Members: $180 | Non-members: $200

Note: Campers in Explorers Adventure Camp can be taken by SM&NC staff directly from camp to Junior WILD Keepers.

Registration for Spring & Summer opens:

  • February 15: Family Plus and Director's Circle
  • February 22: All other SM&NC Members
  • March 1: Non-members

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.