VINS Nature Center
Animal Crossing: VINS!
VINS Nature Center 149 Natures Way, Quechee, United StatesSEPTEMBER 6 - Tom Nook needs your help! There’s a whole new village spanning the habitats here at VINS and The animal villagers have plenty of chores for you to do; cleaning up their environment, restoring habitat, and completing surveys for community science, and of course, no chores go without compensation! Earn prizes completing activities such as catching insects, to add to your critter-pedia (iNaturalist), building homes for our village’s tiniest residents, planting native wildflowers in the meadow and pulling out invasives, digging for and identifying fossils, collecting things on a woodland scavenger hunt, and making crafts!
Yoga in the Canopy
VINS Nature Center 149 Natures Way, Quechee, United StatesSEPTEMBER 7 - Welcome to a yoga class like you’ve never experienced before. Ascend into the treetops on VINS’ Forest Canopy Walk and immerse yourself in the beauty of the summer foliage. Expect a slow-flow class that will incorporate sun salutations, standing poses, balance poses, and brief meditation. All levels of experience are welcome.
Autumn Wildlife Celebration
VINS Nature Center 149 Natures Way, Quechee, United StatesSEPTEMBER 13 - Celebrate the start of fall at VINS! Take in the spectacular foliage from our Forest Canopy Walk or discover how local wildlife adapts to the changing season during a program in the HawkFly. Get hands-on with seasonal fall crafts, challenge yourself with our interactive tree identification game, and explore the fascinating world of migration with a biologist from the Vermont Center for Ecostudies.
Drawing from Nature: Fall Botanicals
VINS Nature Center 149 Natures Way, Quechee, United StatesSEPTEMBER 20 - We will begin this final class of our 2025 Drawing from Nature Series by exploring the beautiful hues of fall botanicals. Early Autumn is awash in color, from the purple asters, yellow goldenrods, orange pumpkins, and the changing greens and reds of the trees. We will spend our first hour exploring the VINS fields and woods, photographing and collecting inspiration along the way.
Autumn Mushroom Foray
VINS Nature Center 149 Natures Way, Quechee, United StatesSEPTEMBER 20 - Are you intrigued by the wild world of mushrooms? Join Ari Rockland-Miller of The Mushroom Forager on a guided tour of September's wild mushrooms. The workshop will feature a guided foray of the woods around the VINS Nature Center with an eye towards the early culinary treasures of autumn.
Chang Memorial Fly Fishing Event
VINS Nature Center 149 Natures Way, Quechee, United StatesSEPTEMBER 20 - Inspired by his dedication and love for this catch-and-release sport – and with the knowledge that fly fishing can be enjoyed when rivers, streams, and local water ecosystems are clean and healthy – we take pride in continuing to pass on the sport about which Mr. Chang was so passionate.
VINS on Target: Introduction to Archery
VINS Nature Center 149 Natures Way, Quechee, United StatesSEPTEMBER 27 - Learn to safely use a bow and arrow and get your family enjoying this outdoor hobby all together. Our USA Archery-certified instructor will introduce range rules and safety, and familiarize archers with proper shooting form with our recurve bows. This program will focus on getting archers of all ages hitting the target and incorporate archery-themed games throughout the session.
Forest Storytime
VINS Nature Center 149 Natures Way, Quechee, United StatesJoin an Educator for our early learner's story time. This program is for children five and younger. We will read stories, play games, sing songs, and laugh with puppets. Each week will focus on a different topic to learn about animals, plants, or other wonders of nature. This experience is designed to help promote connection, exploration, curiosity, and joy for the outdoors. Programming will start at 10 AM and last for 30 minutes. Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to purchase admission tickets at the Nature Store and make your way to the Forest Exhibit for some forest family fun.
Sensory Friendly Hour at VINS
VINS Nature Center 149 Natures Way, Quechee, United StatesOCTOBER 4 - Join us for Sensory Friendly Hour at VINS, a special morning experience designed for visitors who prefer a quieter, less crowded environment. From 9:00-10:00 AM, we minimize noise, crowds, and other sensory stimuli throughout our exhibits and trails.
Forest Storytime
VINS Nature Center 149 Natures Way, Quechee, United StatesJoin an Educator for our early learner's story time. This program is for children five and younger. We will read stories, play games, sing songs, and laugh with puppets. Each week will focus on a different topic to learn about animals, plants, or other wonders of nature. This experience is designed to help promote connection, exploration, curiosity, and joy for the outdoors. Programming will start at 10 AM and last for 30 minutes. Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to purchase admission tickets at the Nature Store and make your way to the Forest Exhibit for some forest family fun.