JP/Roslindale Morning Half Day

Our morning half day summer program at The Arnold Arboretum (Jamaica Plain/Roslindale) is a fully outdoors, mixed age program. The children are active participants in selecting which places we visit each day and how we explore them. (For information on our Summer 2022 afternoon half day program, click here.)

Families drop-off and pick-up their children at the same outdoor spot every day. At 9:00AM, we begin with a brief circle time that includes our greetings, songs, seasonal events, and safety rules. We then hike to our "adventure spot," which varies each day. We carefully select these outdoor "classrooms" for safety and diversity of natural elements that support children's imagination and creativity. 

Children have a small snack at the adventure spot and then are free to play, explore, read, and participate in self-initiated or teacher-guided projects, all under close teacher supervision.

Around 11:45AM, the class will hike back to the designated pick up/drop off spot and play or read a story while waiting for families to arrive.

Family members can review their child's day via the Storypark app, which allows staff to document individual and group learning in rich format that includes photo and video. Storypark child notes and classroom stories are tagged with relevant early learning competencies, such as "Curiosity & Initiative: The child invents projects and works on them with growing independence."

To inquire about admission to our summer half day programs, please complete our interest form and a staff member will be in touch shortly.

Summer Session 2022 Dates:

Session 1: June 27 - July 8 

Session 2: July 11-22

Session 3: Jul 25 - Aug 5

Session 4: Aug 8-19

Bonus Week 1: Aug 22-26 (available only to families enrolled for at least one summer session)

Bonus Week 2: Aug 29 - Sept 2