Creating A Difference In the Community

For years the Discovery Center has been teaching young children about science while providing them a safe and enriching environment to interact with nature. Acting, costumes, arts and crafts, story telling, cooking projects are all apart of the fun atmosphere that is used to teach science to children. Parents Becky Mendoza and Jenea Harmon are grateful for the efforts of people like Tarah Adams the Early Childhood Coordinator at the Discovery Center. "The classes here are nice and small, it allows you to be one on one with your child and the teacher," said Becky. Each topic is covered during a four-week program; patrons attend an hour session each week, with the theme changing monthly. The Discovery Center also offers parents the option to skip a month if their child is uninterested in a topic, but as Becky Mendoza stated, "We haven't missed a month yet!"

Adams expressed her belief in the Discovery Center Mission, "There are not many opportunities for kids to play in nature anymore that is why Nature Kids camps are so important!" Our classes are designed to connect kids with nature, animals, insects, and other parts of the natural world. "When children encounter something, and they interact with it, they build a love for it. That will help our future to develop kids who love and care for our environment."

Evan and Joah, two class participants seem to enjoy the lessons they are learning. These young boys were patrolling the Discovery Center's rose gardens, searching for aphids. With the bright red wings that were attached to their backs visitors may have thought they were watching giant ladybugs at work. And, if you think that three may be a young age to learn science, think again. Becky Mendoza said, "my son can tell you anything you need to know about bears, what they eat, how they hibernate, how they hunt for foods and gather berries, everything." With the dedication of the Discovery Center staff young children can expect to be moving and having a good time while they learn about science for years to come.