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Health & Fitness

Tuesday and Saturday classes have spots left for Preschool Enrichment

Webb Mountain Discovery Zone has just a few spaces still available for “Discovering Autumn”, an enrichment program for preschool and kindergarten students and their parents or caregivers beginning in early September.   Due to requests from parents, additional classes have been added to the weekly preschool program in addition to Discovery Zone’s existing school field trips, after school, birthdays and special events.   Each of these programs supports the parks goal to introduce nature to children at an early age, so its benefits will last a lifetime.

Park Director Tom Ellbogen stated:  “Now in it’s second year, we are very pleased with the response and expansion of our preschool program and strongly believe it’s impact on children will be long-lasting.   There is growing evidence that interaction with nature at an early age offers unsurpassed opportunities for mental, emotional and physical growth and we believe our rich and varied ecosystem provides a unique platform to offer children a stimulating and most importantly, fun experience.”

Parents weighed in on the benefit of the preschool enrichment program for their children as well as for themselves.  Monroe resident Ryan Cramer-Forbes stated:  “I cannot begin to express how valuable Webb Mountain (Discovery Zone’s) programs have been for my daughter.  I enjoyed every minute of watching my daughter learn while having so much fun!”  Monroe parent Laura Tully commented:  “I have found the classes to be wonderful.  And there is no better way to learn about the natural world then to experience it first hand-the kids get the sensory experience of seeing, hearing and touching.  Elijah still talks about much of what he learned in the programs and we look forward to the Fall program.”  Sandy Hook parent Michele Dutsar added:  “(The) program is a unique one-it actually seems to slow down time so that you and your child can explore the woods and all it’s inhabitants at a pace that is relaxed, not hectic.  I recommend this program to everyone!”

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Each weekly hour long program will feature a story and craft at the Discovery Zone outdoor classroom and a walk along the trails tying in the day’s theme.  Beginning September 9th, the five weekly programs are offered.  Two have filled, but there is still availability on Tuesdays from 2pm-3pm and Saturdays from 9am-10am and 10:30am-11:30am.  Classes are available for $30 per child for the five weeks. Parents with two children between the ages of 3-6 are welcome to register both for any class at a discounted price.

Though the program is broken into two 5-week blocks, each of the 10 programs is unique and parents are encouraged to sign up for the entire 10-week season.  A $5 discount is applied to families registering for all 10 weeks. For more information, visit www.webbmountaindiscoveryzone.com or email at discoveryzone@earthlink.net

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Webb Mountain Discovery Zone opened in 2007 to promote outdoor exploration and learning, in a fun, hands-on environment.  The Discovery Zone has easy to walk trails of over four miles on 171 acres with twenty-eight hands-on learning stations and a self-directed scavenger hunt created by Hank Gruner, Vice President of Programs for the Connecticut Science Center in Harford with the assistance of Connecticut State Archeologist Nick Bellantoni.  The park is located at 71 Webb Circle in Monroe.  Please note the Discovery Zone entrance is separate from Webb Mountain Park. 

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