Bird’s Eye View
2025-07-16 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | NY
Meet live birds and explore the ways bird vision differs from humans.
Learn how birds perceive colors and ultraviolet light, and how they use this special sense to find food, attract mates, avoid danger, and more. Encounter one of DPNC’s resident birds of prey and make a bird feeder to attract colorful birds to your own home!
WHEN: Wednesday, July 16, 2025
TIME: 2 to 3 p.m.
LOCATION: In person at the Museum
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.
Suggested donation $10.

All Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.
Attendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.
Please phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org
(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s).
PHOTO CREDIT: Common grackle bird, courtesy of National Park Service

FI Treasure Hunt: 6 & Under
2025-07-17 10:00 - 12:00
Arrr, the wind’s pickin’ up and the tide be right—our Pirate Treasure Hunt sets sail soon! Sharpen yer wits and ready yer boots. Clues, riddles, and cursed gold await…

Team Registration & More Info

Awesome Amphibians
2025-07-23 14:00 - 15:00
We love our slimy friends!
Learn what amphibians are, meet live frogs, and find out why amphibians are so important to the environment.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 23, 2025
TIME: 2 to 3 p.m.
LOCATION: In person at the Museum
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.
Suggested donation $10.

All Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.
Attendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.
Please phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org
(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s).

Food Chain Connections
2025-07-30 14:00 - 15:00
Learn about energy flow in an ecosystem and how all living things are interconnected.
Meet live animals and explore predator-prey relationships that exist in the wild and play a fun food chain game.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 30, 2025
TIME: 2 to 3 p.m.
LOCATION: In person at the Museum
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.
Suggested donation $10.

All Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.
Attendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.
Please phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org
(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s).

Innovative Animal Adaptations
2025-08-06 14:00 - 15:00
Discover the world of biomimicry and learn about human inventions that were inspired by animals and plants in the wild.
Explore hands-on activities to replicate some of the incredible adaptations that animals have perfected over millions of years. Meet DPNC ambassador animals and observe their innovative adaptations!
WHEN: Wednesday, August 6, 2025
TIME: 2 to 3 p.m.
LOCATION: In person at the Museum
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.
Suggested donation $10.

All Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.
Attendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.
Please phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org
(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s).

FIND 2025 (MORNING PROGRAM)
2025-08-11 09:00 - 2025-08-15 12:00
FISHERS ISLAND NATURE DISCOVERY
2025 – The 6th Year of FIND
A Week (5 DAYS from 9 AM to NOON) of Learning Programs for Young Island Naturalists Ages 5 to 10.
FIND offers a week of learning programs for young Island naturalists on a variety of environmental topics relating to the natural history and stewardship of our Island.
Using the Ferguson Museum as a base, the programs provide an indoor/outdoor learning experience that introduces our children to the Island’s natural resources and some of the challenges faced in maintaining its fragile ecology. Led by educators, the children discover the Island’s natural history through a combination of hands-on exploration, observation, and interpretation.
WHEN: The 2025 FIND program will run for one week from August 11 to August 15; Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon.
WHO: 20 children max, all between the ages of 5 to 10. Depending on numbers, attendees will either be in one group, or split into two groups by age.
Each group will be led by educator/s from the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC), assisted at times by Museum staff and guest naturalists.
WHERE: Outdoor locations will vary based on the daily plan, but will include Fishers Island’s beaches, woods, and ponds. Indoor learning will take place at the Museum and will include art and science projects related to the daily subject matter.
COST: The cost per participant is $400 for the week. To promote group cohesion and learning, we encourage all participants to attend all five sessions.
REGISTRATION: Please call the Museum (631-788-7239) or e-mail info@fergusonmuseum.org to reserve a spot for your child/children (and note the FIND program and the name and age of the attendee/s). The registration and payment form will then be sent to you.
This is a wonderful opportunity for young children to develop a love of nature and ecology through participatory learning both at the Museum and in the field.

Summer at the Pond
2025-08-13 14:00 - 15:00
Explore a pond habitat and understand the metamorphosis of pond animals.
Meet the Nature Center’s frog, turtle and insect residents and learn how these animals are enjoying the muddy water. Use nets to explore the pond behind the museum! Please dress to get muddy!
WHEN: Wednesday, August 13, 2025
TIME: 2 to 3 p.m.
LOCATION: In person at the Museum
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.
Suggested donation $10.

All Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.
Attendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.
Please phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org
(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s).
PHOTO CREDIT: Painted turtle, David Small, USFWS

Owl Prowl
2025-08-20 14:00 - 15:00
Meet a live owl in an up-close encounter! Learn about owls native to the area and explore the unique adaptations that make them the perfect predators of the night. Touch owl artifacts and create an owl craft to take home.
WHEN: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
TIME: 2 to 3 p.m.
LOCATION: In person at the Museum
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.
Suggested donation $10.

All Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.
Attendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.
Please phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org
(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s).
PHOTO CREDIT: Eastern Screech-Owl, USFWS

Inspect an Insect
2025-08-27 14:00 - 15:00
Gain an appreciation for the diversity of insects as we examine insect specimens, meet a live insect and use nets to see what insects are living outside of the museum!
WHEN: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
TIME: 2 to 3 p.m.
LOCATION: In person at the Museum
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.
Suggested donation $10.

All Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.
Attendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.
Please phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org
(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s).
PHOTO CREDIT: Hissing cockroach, tychay, creative commons

Awesome Amphibians
2026-07-08 14:00 - 15:00
We love our slimy friends!
Learn what amphibians are, meet live frogs, and find out why amphibians are so important to the environment.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 8, 2026
TIME: 2 to 3 p.m.
LOCATION: In person at the Museum
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.
Suggested donation $10.

All Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.
Attendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.
Please phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org
(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s).

Every Seed Tells a Story!
2026-07-15 14:00 - 15:00
From a tiny acorn to a towering tree, seeds grow into the plants that create food and shelter for wildlife. Discover how seeds become habitat for owls, hawks, turtles, and frog—and how animals help plants grow in return. Meet live animals, explore the journey from seed to ecosystem, and create a seed craft to help plant native habitat in your own community.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
TIME: 2 to 3 p.m.
LOCATION: In person at the Museum
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.
Suggested donation $10.

All Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.
Attendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.
Please phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org
(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s).

FI Treasure Hunt
2026-07-18 08:00 - 2026-07-19 13:00
The Fishers Island Treasure Hunt returns this weekend, and we hope every Island adventurer under 15 will join the search.
Fishers Island has a long and colorful history of pirates, privateers, smugglers, and other nefarious seagoing souls. Some are known to have passed through these waters—and who can say what they may have carried ashore or left behind?
The Treasure Hunt sends kids out on their bikes and into the Island wilds, following clues, solving riddles, and exploring familiar — and not so familiar — places in entirely new ways. The search will lead through some of the many trails and natural areas protected by the Museum’s Land Trust—places where pirates may once have walked and, perhaps, done a little digging.
This year we are experimenting with a new format: instead of a week-long contest with daily clues, we are condensing all the adventuring into a single weekend. The oldest group (11-14) will have a 2-day hunt, the middle group (7-10) will hunt Saturday only, and the youngest group (6 & under) will do their hunt from 10am-12pm on Sunday.
No pre-registration necessary and no charge – teams just need to be at the Village Green to get their first clue: Saturday morning at 8am for the middle and older groups; 10am Sunday for the youngest.
The Awards Ceremony will take place on the Back Deck of the Museum, Sunday, July 19 from 12-1pm.
It is a wonderful way to get kids outdoors, moving, thinking, and discovering more of Fishers Island with friends. We hope they will join up – and please spread the word.

Hidden Creatures
2026-07-22 14:00 - 15:00
Some animals are masters of staying out of sight! Discover hidden creatures who hide in plain sight, come out only at night, or live beneath our feet. We’ll meet real animal ambassadors and learn how their special adaptations help them survive sight unseen.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
TIME: 2 to 3 p.m.
LOCATION: In person at the Museum
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.
Suggested donation $10.

All Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.
Attendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.
Please phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org
(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s).
PHOTO CREDIT: Groundhog exiting burrow, Amy Moore, Some Rights Reserved

Amazing Owls
2026-07-29 14:00 - 15:00
Meet DPNC’s ambassador owls and discover what makes these remarkable birds so unique! Learn about our native owl species and explore the incredible adaptations that help them thrive as nighttime hunters. Get hands-on with real owl artifacts, then create your own owl craft to take home.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 29, 2026
TIME: 2 to 3 p.m.
LOCATION: In person at the Museum
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.
Suggested donation $10.

All Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.
Attendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.
Please phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org
(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s).

Super Animal Senses
2026-08-05 14:00 - 15:00
Explore the incredible senses animals use to understand the world around them! Meet live animals and discover how sight, sound, smell, and touch help our native animals find food, avoid danger, and survive in the wild.
WHEN: Wednesday, August 5, 2026
TIME: 2 to 3 p.m.
LOCATION: In person at the Museum
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.
Suggested donation $10.

All Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.
Attendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.
Please phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org
(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s).
PHOTO CREDIT: Black Racer snake, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, USFWS

Prehistoric Creatures
2026-08-12 14:00 - 15:00
Travel back in time to meet the animals and plants that lived long before humans—and discover which ones are still here today. Unearth the story of ancient wildlife and meet their modern relatives.
WHEN: Wednesday, August 12, 2026
TIME: 2 to 3 p.m.
LOCATION: In person at the Museum
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.
Suggested donation $10.

All Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.
Attendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.
Please phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org
(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s).
PHOTO CREDIT: Snapping turtle. Courtesy of Justine Kibbe

FIND 2026 (MORNING PROGRAM)
2026-08-17 09:00 - 2026-08-21 12:00
FISHERS ISLAND NATURE DISCOVERY
2026 – The 7th Year of FIND
A Week (5 DAYS from 9 AM to NOON) of Learning Programs for Young Island Naturalists Ages 5 to 10.
FIND offers a week of learning programs for young Island naturalists on a variety of environmental topics relating to the natural history and stewardship of our Island.
Using the Ferguson Museum as a base, the programs provide an indoor/outdoor learning experience that introduces our children to the Island’s natural resources and some of the challenges faced in maintaining its fragile ecology. Led by educators, the children discover the Island’s natural history through a combination of hands-on exploration, observation, and interpretation.
WHEN: The 2026 FIND program will run for one week from August 17 to August 21; Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon. To promote group cohesion and learning, we encourage all participants to attend all five sessions.
WHO: 20 children max, all between the ages of 5 to 10. Depending on numbers, attendees will either be in one group, or split into two groups by age.
Each group will be led by educator/s from the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) or the Niantic Children’s Museum, assisted at times by Museum staff and guest naturalists.
WHERE: Outdoor locations will vary based on the daily plan, but will include Fishers Island’s beaches, woods, and ponds. Indoor learning will take place at the Museum and will include art and science projects related to the daily subject matter.
COST: The cost per participant is $425 for the week. (Current FI School students can attend at no cost.)
REGISTRATION: Please call the Museum (631-788-7239) or e-mail info@fergusonmuseum.org to reserve a spot for your child/children (and note the FIND program and the name and age of the attendee/s). The registration and payment form will then be sent to you.
This is a wonderful opportunity for young children to develop a love of nature and ecology through participatory learning both at the Museum and in the field.

Inspect an Insect
2026-08-19 14:00 - 15:00
Gain an appreciation for the diversity of insects as we examine insect specimens, meet a live insect, and use nets to see what insects are living outside of the museum!
WHEN: Wednesday, August 19, 2026
TIME: 2 to 3 p.m.
LOCATION: In person at the Museum
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.
Suggested donation $10.

All Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.
Attendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.
Please phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org
(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s).

Innovative Animal Adaptations
2026-08-26 14:00 - 15:00
Discover the world of biomicry and learn about human inventions that were inspired by animals and plants in the wild. Explore hands-on activities to replicate some of the incredible adaptations that animals have perfected over millions of years. Meet DPNC ambassador animals and observe their innovative adaptations!
WHEN: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
TIME: 2 to 3 p.m.
LOCATION: In person at the Museum
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.
Suggested donation $10.

All Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.
Attendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.
Please phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org
(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s).
