APEC's December Programs Include Wreath Making, Quilting and a Class on Hibernation

Alley Pond Environmental Center’s December programs include a quilting club, wreath decorating, a class on hibernating animals and another on creating winter snow globes.

The center, which is located at 228-06 Northern Blvd. in Douglaston, is now offering a quilting club that meets on Mondays from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The group, which is open to quilters of all levels, will work on projects each week and instruction on various techniques will be provided. The class costs $3 for members and $45 for nonmembers.

And APEC’s knitting circle will meet every Monday in December from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Knitters, crocheters and crafters are all welcome. The class costs $5 per week.

APEC’s animal care trainee programs will be held on Dec. 7 and 30 from 10 a.m. to noon and costs $21 per child. The program, which is aimed at children between the ages of 8 and 12 years, will give attendees hands-on experience with feeding, brushing, cleaning and learning about the center’s animals.

Nature’s Snoozers will explore where turtles, frogs, chipmunks and other hibernators go during wintertime. Attendees will also learn about how animals prepare for their winter sleep. The class, which costs $21 per child, will include live animals, a hike, crafts and a snack. It will be held on Dec. 7 and 21 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Young Discoverers: Microscopic Studies will be held on Dec. 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and costs $24 per child. The outdoor program, which is aimed at children between the ages of 8 and 12 years, will teach attendees how to use a microscope.

Adventure Hour: Furry Friends will run from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Dec. 8 and costs $16 per child. Activities include outdoor play, crafts, live animals, a trail walk and music. This class is aimed at children between the ages of 18 and 36 months.

Snowy Evergreen Wreath Decoration will run from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Dec. 14 and costs $24 per child. The program, which is for ages 7 to 12 years, will allow attendees to create a wreath banner as well as include a walk on APEC’s trails and hot cocoa.

During the center’s Winter Solstice Celebration, professor Mark Freilich will teach attendees about the winter solstice and provide some snacks and star gazing opportunities. The class is meant for adults and children, ages 9 to 12 years. It will run from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 14 and costs $18.

APEC will hold safaris 11 a.m. to noon on Dec. 15 and 21. Attendees will be exploring the center’s trails, so comfortable shoes and clothes that can get dirty are recommended. Hot chocolate an cookies will be served. The class is for ages 6 to 11 years and costs $12.

Scientifically Speaking: Winter Snow Globes will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 21 and costs $24. Children, ages 9 years and above, will be able to make a snow globe and learn the scientific concepts of density and properties of liquid through experimentation. The event may include a live animal demonstration and a hike.

Story Time Safari: Winter Fun, which is for children between the ages of 3 and 7 years, includes a winter-related story, crafts, a nature walk and a snack. The class, which costs $18, will run from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 14.

APEC will offer Mom’s Winter Break, a three-hour drop-off program that will include creating a gingerbread house, a scavenger hunt and lunch. The program costs $30 per child and is aimed at ages 6 to 12 years. It will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 27.

And the center’s Winter Wildlife program will run from 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 30 and costs $21. Children, ages 3 to 5 years, will learn about how animals cope with winter weather through stories, games and crafts. The class includes a snack.