Briar Bush Nature Center in Abington, PA 19001

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the Best Day Camp for Little Kids in Philadelphia, Briar Bush Nature Center provides environmental education to individuals and groups of all ages.

The 12-acre nature center includes trails that pass by a windmill-fed pond, the Griscom Bird Observatory, native wildflower gardens, woodlands, and meadows. The museum contains a simulated Pennsylvania crawl-through cave, hands-on exhibits, reference library, children's Reading Hollow, live animal displays, observation beehive, indoor pond, and Discovery Den for the youngest visitors and their parents.

The Briar Bush Nature Shop is stocked by Wild Bird Center of Willow Grove with items for babies, toddlers, children, and adults.

Family membership packages begin at $40 and offer many benefits.

Birthday parties, available to BBNC members, offer an hour-long nature program led by Forest Friends educators followed by an additional hour in the private family party area. Briar Bush facilities can also be rented for other events, such as meetings, parties, showers, weddings, etc.

Briar Bush Ecology Kids Summer Camp programs are one week long - with half-day sessions for younger participants - and range from Itty Bitty Briars (for kids age two with parent or caregiver) to the Adventurers, an overnight camp for kids in sixth to ninth grades. Half-day camps remain onsite and explore Briar Bush. Full day camps include field trips in BBNC's 15-passenger van.

message from Briar Bush Nature Center:

Saturday, March 3, 10-11am
Animal Open House
All ages welcome. Free with admission. Members free.

Stop in for a chance to meet your favorite Briar Bush animals hands-on and up close with one of our environmental educators.

Tuesdays, March 6, 13, 20, 27, 1-2pm
Pre-school Pioneers, 4-5 years old
$32/month

Preschoolers are invited for a month-long series of all-natural fun with an environmental educator, with time spent both inside and out.

Tuesdays, March 6 and 20, 4-5pm
Naturally Curious Kids, 1st-3rd graders
Non-members: $12/session

Games, hands-on activities and some plain-ole poking around encourage young minds to develop a deeper appreciation for nature. Each week features a unique topic led by our engaging environmental educators. This special time "for kids to be kids" cultivates curiosity for and an understanding of plants, animals and natural processes while empowering kids to feel confident and comfortable in a safe, natural setting.

Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10:30-11:30am
March 7, 8, 9 and 21, 22, 23
Magic Mornings, 2-3 years old with adult
$10/class, $5 additional child

This is a great program for toddlers to bring their favorite adult for walks, animals, crafts, games, stories and more. Snack provided. Consecutive classes duplicate curriculum.

Sunday, March 11, 1-2pm
Whatâ??s Your Sign?
Adults and Youth Ages 7+, $7/ adult, $3/youth
Advance registration required by February 10
This program takes place at Pennypack Trust, 2955 Edge Hill Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA

Each time we go outside, we are surrounded by signs of animals: chewed seeds, footprints, animal homes and yes, even poop! Learn how to identify animals by the traces they leave behind. You can even try your hand at creating realistic looking scat â?? icky fun for all ages!

Thursday, March 15, 7:30pm
Food for Thought
Members: free, Non-members: $3
Advance registration recommended

Briar Bush is continuing its discussion series called â??Join the Conversation.â?? Special guest speakers guide a topic while attendees increase their knowledge and awareness of timely and important issues. We have suggested books to pique your interest, but reading is not required.
Vegetarianâ?¦veganâ?¦locovoreâ?¦no matter how you choose to eat, food is the fuel that powers humanity. Whet your appetite with Catching Fire by Richard Wrangham, The Omnivoreâ??s Dilemma by Michael Pollan, or Bringing It to the Table by Wendell Berry. Then bring your thoughts and views to the discussion led by a Briar Bush educator and special guest speaker.

Friday, March 30, 9:15am-3:30pm
Hagley Museum and Library
$65/person includes transportation and guided tour