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!

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2019 Program Offerings:

Garden Girls
Garden Girls is a nature connection program where curiosities are ignited! Young women find a safe place to be themselves through games, exploration and hands on projects. Learning empowering skills such as fire tending, basketry, wild plant ID and gardening connect us to eachother and the land. 

Garden Girls will be planting public access gardens and fruit trees throughout Holyoke, transforming ignored and unused spaces into delicious and productive forest gardens! Come have fun and bring the community together restoring abundance to the land!

​Girls Ages 13-17
Thursdays from 3:45-5:30 from 4/4/19 - 6/6/19
Meeting at Holyoke Public Library 
No cost, Free program 

Sign up by email leapfrogprograms@gmail.com         Instructor: Maggie Ranen
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     Private Hide Tanning Classes
     Learn how to tan hides start to finish from buckskin to pelts!
     To sign up email leapfrogprograms@gmail.com
     $35/hr 
Hide Tanning Class
In this course, we'll explore the art and science of hide tanning in an in-depth and direct way. We will work together, to tan deer hides into velvety buckskin. You will leave having learned start to finish how tan a deer's skin, your own whole hide beautifully tanned and a "how to" booklet for future tanning.
Ages 17 and up. 
April 15-18 , 2019
9:00 am-5 pm
Sliding scale $200-$375 
6-8 spots available 
Location: Amherst,MA
Instructor: Maggie Ranen
To sign up email Maggie: leapfrogprograms@gmail.com
4/20, 5/18, 6/22, 7/20, NO AUGUST, 9/14, 10/19, 11/16, 12/14, 2020: 1/11, 2/15, 3/14, 4/119:3The Sumac School - Year-long wild food intensive (Western MA)               
This program will take you deep into connection with the world we are a part of through the doorway of wild food and ecological design! Penetrate the wallpaper that limits our relationships with the wide world of plants and animals and start participating with your nonhuman neighbors in a meaningful way. Through a year's cycle, we'll cover a wide range of survival, practical and awareness skills with a strong focus on learning from and about eating and cultivating plants and animals. Enjoy an immediately positive impact on your diet, budget, health and sense of belonging to the land. Meets one sunday a month closest to full moon in varied locations (Northampton, Greenfield, Montague, Southampton, Amherst, Hadley, Holyoke) in the Valley. Ages 15+.
One Sunday each month for a year, 9:30-2:30. 4/21, 5/19, 6/23, 7/21, NO AUGUST, 9/15, 10/20, 11/17, 12/15, 2020: 1/12, 2/16, 3/15, 4/12. 400-700$. Work trade available.   Sign up by emailing leapfrogprograms@gmail.com
The Sumac School - Year-long wild food intensive (Eastern MA)              
This program will take you deep into connection with the world we are a part of through the doorway of wild food and ecological design! Penetrate the wallpaper that limits our relationships with the wide world of plants and animals and start participating with your nonhuman neighbors in a meaningful way. 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 eating and cultivating plants and animals. Enjoy an immediately positive impact on your diet, budget, health and sense of belonging to the land. Meets one sunday a month closest to full moon in varied locations (Boston, Somerville, Concord, Sudbury, Lexington, Natick, and more) in the Boston area.  Ages 15+.
One Saturday each month for a year, 9:30-2:30: 4/20, 5/18, 6/22, 7/20, NO AUGUST, 9/14, 10/19, 11/16, 12/14, 2020: 1/11, 2/15, 3/14, 4/11. 550-900$. Work trade available.   Sign up by emailing leapfrogprograms@gmail.com
Snowy Owls:            
Instructors: Kevin Aderer and Dunan Herman Parks
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.
$150-$300 Sliding scale per two months (8 sessions)
Location: Amethyst Brook Conservation Land, Amherst
Sign up by emailing leapfrogprograms@gmail.com
Wood Frogs            
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!