Environmental / Outdoor Education

The MetroWest YMCA in Hopkinton, MA is located just 25 miles west of Boston, and 35 miles north of Providence. We are situated on 116 acres of land abutting the Ashland State Forest & Reservoir and support several healthy ecosystems including: white pine forests, mixed hardwood forests, a small freshwater stream, and a protected wetlands area. These natural resources are carefully used and explored in our outdoor study experience.

You can find signs of wildlife throughout the year here in Hopkinton. We have regular visits from red-tailed hawks, goshawks, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, barred owls and screech owls. Our residents include squirrels, rabbits, skunks, woodchucks, red foxes, and many other mammals, birds, and insects.

The MetroWest YMCA Outdoor and Environmental Education programs are designed to encourage an understanding of our natural surroundings through guided discovery, hands on experience, and independent critical thinking.

Courses are adapted to the ages and learning levels of the students in this interdisciplinary approach to outdoor and environmental education. The goal of our programs is to increase awareness of our natural surroundings within the students and to satisfy their curiosities with practical and useful knowledge.

Possible Class Topics

Wonderful Wetlands: Learn the values and functions of wetlands while exploring a wetland community.
Forest Ecology: Learn about the different parts of the forest and the role each plays in the environment.
Wildlife Ecology:  Learn all about the different array of wildlife in the area and all of the unique adaptations they use to survive.
Nature Games:  Interactive games that are fun and teach about different aspects of nature –great for younger children.
Water Ecology: Spend time exploring the water and learning about the different critters that live there and the role they play to keep the water healthy.
Predator/Prey Relationships:  Unique lesson that teaches the importance of the roles that different animals play in nature and how they help to keep the ecosystem in balance.

View our brochure on the right hand side.  For more information, to particpate in a class or to schedule a group outing, please contact Cynthia Menard, Outdoor Education Director at (508) 435-9345 x12 or email her at  cmenard@metrowestymca.org