Vermont Institute of Natural Science

Raptor Feeding Time
2024-06-18 14:30 - 15:00, 2024-06-19 14:30 - 15:00, 2024-06-20 14:30 - 15:00, 2024-06-21 14:30 - 15:00, 2024-06-22 14:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Raptor Feeding Time
2:30 PM – 3 PM
Join our raptor care-givers for feeding time! Learn about the habits and history of each of the resident raptors at VINS as you watch them enjoy their daily meal.
Held in the Raptor Exhibits.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Predators of the Sky
2024-06-18 15:00 - 15:30, 2024-06-19 15:00 - 15:30, 2024-06-20 15:00 - 15:30, 2024-06-21 15:00 - 15:30, 2024-06-22 15:00 - 15:30
Predators of the Sky
3 PM – 3:30 PM
Join us as we explore the natural world through the eyes of raptors. Be amazed by these efficient predators in an engaging presentation featuring VINS’ feathered ambassadors. Bird programs cover topics ranging from the mechanics of flight, seasonal migration and avian conservation issues to the extraordinary abilities of raptors. Through these in-depth and interactive programs, visitors gain newfound understanding and appreciation for what it takes to survive in the wild.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Animals in Summer: Babies and Life Cycles
2024-06-19 09:30 - 11:00
Homeschool Program
Animals in Summer: Babies and Life Cycles
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Small Wonders (ages 4-6)
Little Explorer (ages 7-9)
$25 per adult/child pair
Register today
Small Wonders: 9:30 – 10:15 AM
Peek into a den and see what babies are hiding inside, and help to feed the baby eagles in their nest. Turn yourself into a duckling as you waddle in a duck parade. Imagine you are a fawn as you try to lie still and hide in the grass. Can you match all of the baby animals with their parents? Meet Turt, our wood turtle. How old do you think she is? And what would her babies look like?
Little Explorers: 10:15 – 11:00 AM
Learn about how baby animals are like, but not exactly like their parents. Peek into a den and see what babies are hiding inside, and help to feed the baby eagles in their nest. Hide in the grass like a quiet, camouflaged fawn. Play a Transformation Game and make a Life Cycle of a Butterfly craft. Meet Turt, our wood turtle. How old do you think she is? And what would her babies look like?
For more information, contact us at 802.359.5000 or education@vinsweb.org.

Turtle Time
2024-06-19 10:30 - 10:50, 2024-06-20 10:30 - 10:50, 2024-06-21 10:30 - 10:50, 2024-06-22 10:30 - 10:50
Turtle Time
10:30 AM – 10:50 AM
Meet Turt and Jersey, VINS Ambassador Turtles, as they have their morning stroll and breakfast. Chat with an educator about these cool creatures.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Predators of the Sky
2024-06-19 11:00 - 11:30, 2024-06-20 11:00 - 11:30, 2024-06-21 11:00 - 11:30, 2024-06-22 11:00 - 11:30
Predators of the Sky
11 AM – 11:30 AM
Join us as we explore the natural world through the eyes of raptors. Be amazed by these efficient predators in an engaging presentation featuring VINS’ feathered ambassadors. Bird programs cover topics ranging from the mechanics of flight, seasonal migration and avian conservation issues to the extraordinary abilities of raptors. Through these in-depth and interactive programs, visitors gain newfound understanding and appreciation for what it takes to survive in the wild.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Reptile Rendezvous
2024-06-19 13:00 - 13:30, 2024-06-20 13:00 - 13:30, 2024-06-21 13:00 - 13:30, 2024-06-22 13:00 - 13:30
Reptile Rendezvous*
1 PM – 1:30 PM
Want to meet some totally “cool” creatures? Join a VINS Educator to learn all about our resident reptiles! We’ll listen to stories about how these creatures got their awesome adaptations, and meet a turtle or a snake.
*This program is dependent on the weather – our reptiles require warm temperatures.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Songbird Aviary Tour
2024-06-19 14:00 - 14:20, 2024-06-20 14:00 - 14:20, 2024-06-21 14:00 - 14:20, 2024-06-22 14:00 - 14:20
Songbird Aviary Tour
2 PM – 2:20 PM
Spend some time in our newest exhibit – the Songbird Aviary! Our docents will familiarize you with this special group of birds and point out the ways you can make a great habitat for these important creatures in your own backyard.
Held in the Songbird Aviary.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Pop Up Play
2024-06-21 10:00 - 17:00
Pop Up Play
Fridays / June 21 – August 30 / 10 AM – 5 PM
Included with General Admission
Join us for hands-on discovery, exploration, and fun! Activities vary and may include our mobile Magnet Wall, Water Works, Sensory Table, Wind Tunnel, Outdoor Ramps, and more. Fun for all ages awaits!
Pop Up Play will take place near the Hawkfly.
For more information, contact us at 802.359.5000 or info@vinsweb.org.

Hawk on the Walk
2024-06-21 16:00 - 16:15
Hawk on the Walk
FRI / SAT / SUN
4 PM – 4:15 PM
What’s that shadow moving between the trees? Keep your eye to the sky on the Forest Canopy Walk while our Harris’s Hawk is out for a free-flight adventure!
Held on the Forest Canopy Walk. This program is weather dependent.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Remarkable Reptile Day
2024-06-22 10:00 - 17:00 | VINS Nature Center, 149 Natures Way, Quechee, 05059, United States
Remarkable Reptile Day
Saturday, June 22 / 10 AM – 5 PM
Included with General Admission
Join us for a day celebrating all things reptiles! From turtle shells to snake smells, you will discover the amazing world of reptile adaptations. Enjoy close encounters, hands-on activities, crafts and more! Recount the history and current status of the iconic Timber Rattlesnake here in New England with naturalist Thomas Tyning. Meet live reptile ambassadors with the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum and Uncharted Wild to learn all about these Remarkable Reptiles!
ALL DAY

Cold-blooded Crafts
Get inspired by the beauty of reptiles and create something fun to take home! (August Pavilion)
Reptile Games
Get stompin’ and slitherin’ as you explore the world of reptiles. Includes water games. (Next to August Pavilion)
Reptiles on the Forest Canopy Walk
Think you can identify Vermont’s reptiles? Come visit the Forest Canopy Walk to test your knowledge and learn more about the reptiles that might call your backyard home. (Forest Canopy Walk)

10:30 AM – 10:50 AM / Turtle Breakfast
How did the turtle fly south for the winter? In this storytime program, meet Turt and Jersey, VINS Ambassador Turtles, as they have their morning stroll and breakfast. (Hawkfly)
11 AM – 12 PM / Reptiles of the World
Uncharted Wild will delight folks of all ages as they present reptiles from around the world. (Hawkfly)
12 PM – 1 PM / Timber Rattlesnakes of New England
Of all the animals with backbones found in New England, none are more endangered than the timber rattlesnake. Famous for its uniqueness to the new world, impressively rattled tail, remarkable ability to survive New England winters, and complex behaviors that are just beginning to be understood, the timber rattlesnake is more than just fascinating. Take a journey through history to understand how rattlesnakes once fascinated early settlers before nearly being hunted to extinction, to today where many people are coming to recognize that all wildlife has a place in our environment. Thanks to the work of dedicated researchers and advances in technology, we can now better appreciate the captivating lives of New England timber rattlesnakes. (Neale Pavilion)
1 PM – 2 PM / Reptiles of the World
Uncharted Wild will delight folks of all ages as they present reptiles from around the world. (Hawkfly)
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM / Reptiles of New England
Meet reptiles that call New England home with the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum. (Hawkfly)
3:30 PM – 4 PM / Reptile Mythbusting
Are snakes really deaf? Can a turtle change shells? Let’s bust some common myths surrounding our cold-blooded friends! (Hawkfly)
4 PM – 4:30 PM / Raptor Encounter
Meet one of our avian education ambassadors up close! (Hawkfly)
For more information, contact us at 802.359.5000 or info@vinsweb.org.
