The Spirit of Spring @ Institute for American Indian Studies

If you have kids home from school on their spring vacation and want to plan a special excursion that will both educate and fascinate, head to the Institute for American Indian Studies on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut.  The Institute has planned a perfect combination of programs from April 18 to April 20 that will fascinate and educate your children.  Best of all the schedule is relaxed so whatever time you visit the museum, you are sure to find excellent programs to participate in.

The highlight of the day on April 18 will be a series of family activities that will focus on woodland animals found on the grounds...deer, squirrels, chipmunks, coyotes and even bears.  Kids will learn how to ID animals by the tracks they leave behind.  There will also be an outdoor scavenger hunt along our trails leading up to the Native American Village that promises to be entertaining and educational at the same time.  If your children enjoy making things, there will be a craft session where kids will make the animal of their choice and be able to take it home as a memento of their visit.  The day will wind down with animal stories, like how the chipmunk got his stripes by Traditional Storyteller and the Education Coordinator of the Institute, Darlene Kascak, Schaghticoke.

On April 19, the focus of the day will be honoring the trees and the gifts that they bring us. If you want your children to learn how to identify different trees, this is the day to visit the museum.  There will be a self-guided nature walk on the well-marked trails of the museum and a tree identification activity.  In addition, a craft session for kids is planned that will highlight trees and a special story time when Native American legends are told. Perhaps one tale will be the Cherokee Legend of why trees lose their leaves.

Native Americans have lived off the land and have used herbs and plants as a source of food, building material and, for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Programs on April 20 will focus on how Native Americans use plants and herbs. A highlight of the day will be the Iroquois story told by a Traditional Storyteller and the Education Coordinator of the Institute, Darlene Kascak, Schaghticoke of the "Three Sisters" Garden of corn, beans, and squash.  There will also be a Three Sisters’ Garden planting activity to make and take them home. Children will delight in exploring their crafty side using natural materials found on a hike.

These events will take place from 12 noon to 4 p.m. on April 18-20 and all activities are included in the price of admission with one parent or guardian per group getting free admission!  Admission is $10 adults, $8 Seniors, and $6 children, members of the Institute of American Indian Studies get in free.

The Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS has an outdoor Three Sisters and Healing Plants Gardens as well as a replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village.  Inside the museum, authentic artifacts are displayed in permanent, semi-permanent and temporary exhibits from prehistory to the present that allows visitors a walk through time. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut and can be reached online or by calling 860-868-0518.


The Institute for American Indian Studies preserves and educates through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality, and knowledge of Native American cultures. Through archaeology, the IAIS is able to build new understandings of the world and history of Native Americans, the focus is on stewardship and preservation.  This is achieved through workshops, special events, and education for students of all ages.  

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