We offer internships, independent study and work study options for high school college students in the area interested in outdoor and nature education or looking for volunteer hours. Get in touch if interested!

2018 Program Offerings:

Hide Camp, a monthly hide tanning course
Instructor: Maggie Ranen
In this course, we'll explore the art and science of hide tanning in an in-depth and direct way. We will work together, and on individual projects, to tan deer hides into velvety buckskin, create a variety of beautiful pelts from local mammals, and work on goat skins. Ages 16 and up. Meets one Saturday a month, May - Oct 2018, 1-3p, 5/12, 6/16, 7/14, 8/4, 9/22 (held at the Groundnut Gathering), 10/20.
Sliding scale, $10-$45 per class.  To sign up email leapfrogprograms@gmail.com
The Sumac School - Year-long wild food intensive:                 
Instructor: Felix Lufkin
This apprenticeship will take you deep into connection with the natural world we live in and are a part of through the doorway of wild foods. Penetrate the wallpaper that limits our relationships with the wide world of plants and animals! Through a year's cycle, we'll cover a wide range of survival, practical and awareness skills with a strong focus on learning from and about plants and animals. Enjoy an immediately positive impact on your diet, budget, health, awareness and sense of belonging to the land. Meets one sat. a month closest to full moon in varied locations (Northampton, Greenfield, Montague, Huntington, Southampton, Amherst, Hadley, Holyoke) in the Valley. Ages 15+.
One Sat. monthly for a year: 4/28, 5/26, 6/23, 7/28, 8/25, 9/22, 10/27, 11/17, 12/15. 2019: 1/5, 2/2 ,3/2
9:30-2:30. 400-700$. Work trade available.   Sign up by emailing leapfrogprograms@gmail.com
Snowy Owls:            
Instructors: Kevin Aderer, lead with Dunan Herman Parks, assistant
Weekly after school program for ages 7-11 at Amethyst Brook conservation land, Amherst. Explore the woods and streams, learn about native plants, play games, do crafts and engage in naturalist skills! A safe place for kids to be themselves and grow in the context of nature and community. 
Thursdays, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/24, 5/31, 6/7 and 6/14
$150-$300 Sliding scale per two months (8 sessions)
Location: Amethyst Brook Conservation Land, Amherst
Sign up by emailing leapfrogprograms@gmail.com
Wood Frogs            
Instructors: Felix Lufkin
Weekly after school program for ages 6-11 at Four Rivers Charter School, Greenfield. Explore woods, streams, gardens and meadows! Learn about native plants, play games, make crafts and cook on a campfire! A safe place for kids to be themselves and grow in the context of nature and community. 
Fridays in April - June during the school year
$150-$300 Sliding scale per two months (8 sessions)
Location: Four Rivers Charter School, 248 Colrain Road, Greenfield
Sign up by emailing leapfrogprograms@gmail.com
Mentor Connection:
For students and teachers of all ages! Connect with knowledgeable members of the wider community to pursue learning of a topic that interests you. Connect with a mentor, tutor or study group by subject, and connect with skilled tradespeople to develop professional skills and experience at a frequency that works for you.

This year, we hope to populate a network of mentors/learners and tradespeople/apprentices to facilitate inter-generational learning in a variety of subjects and skills, including blacksmithing, leather work, pottery, gardening, anthropology, history, core academic subjects, and more! Please get in touch if you are interested in participating in any way!