Youth

An adult is pointing out a spider on a leaf to 5 children who are leaning over to look at it. The forest behind them is green and they are in warm weather clothes, indicating that it is summer.

Outdoor School

These programs are designed for homeschooling families with school children. Sessions take place at Cool Spring Preserve in Charles Town, WV, and Yankauer Nature Preserve in Shepherdstown, WV. Sessions (2 classes) are held monthly in each location (Ex: September 5 and 19 at Yankauer Nature Preserve and September 12 and 26 at Cool Spring Preserve). These programs are nature-based, and sessions are kept small – 12 kids total and two adult instructors.

Ages: 5-10

Homeschool Programs

Our full-day homeschool programs are designed to introduce homeschool students to specific nature-based themes with the goal to help students better understand the natural world and their connection to it. Contact our staff to schedule a program.

Ages: 5-14

Wee Naturalists

This program provides pre-school aged children and loving adults to explore nature together safely under the guidance of an experienced PVAS instructor.

Ages: 2-5

Audubon Discovery Camps
PVAS holds nature-themed day camps each summer for children ages 5-18. Campers explore the natural world, focusing on a different theme each week. Audubon Discovery Camp is held at the Yankauer Nature Preserve in Berkeley County and Cool Spring Preserve in Jefferson County.

Scholarships for Non-PVAS Camps
PVAS awards youth scholarships to over-night nature study camps every year. These camps are located within West Virginia and are for students who have financial need.

School Programs
PVAS offers grade-specific programs for classrooms from pre-K –6^th grade. All are tied to state-mandated content standards. Programs are offered at any of our four nature preserves or can be offered at your school, depending on program. Custom programs are available upon request for all grades.

Scouts & Youth Organizations

PVAS provide programs to help groups and individuals complete requirements for badges and awards, including Eagle Scout projects.

Nature Explorer Backpacks

PVAS has provided local libraries with “Nature Explorer Backpacks” through a grant from the Nora Roberts Foundation. Each pack has a different theme with tools to explore nature including field guides, stories, bug boxes, binoculars, and activity ideas.

Education