APEC to Teach Local Kids About Nature Photography, Squirrels in September

will teach youngsters about chromatography, nature photography and squirrels as well as host its annual festival along Little Neck bay in September.

The environmental center will host An Evening with the Stars on Sept. 15 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The program, which is aimed at children over the age of 7 years, will be led by astronomer Mark Freilich. Attendees will be able to view Jupiter, Saturn, the Plietes Star Cluster and the Orion Nebula.

The event will be accompanied by an indoor lecture on basic astronomy. Members will pay $10, while the fee for non-members is $12. Children will pay $7.

On Sept. 15, APEC will host a class for children, ages 8 to 12 years, on candy chromatography from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The program will teach youngsters about the colors that make up various types of candy. Members will pay $18, while the fee for non-members is $24.

The environmental center will also offer a children’s nature photography class on Sept. 15 and 22.

The program, which will run from 10:30 a.m. to noon, is meant for children between the ages of 6 and 11 years.

In the classes, participants will learn the basics of composition and nature photography with disposable cameras. During the first class, they will snap photos on a nature walk and, in the second class, they will create frames to mount the pictures. Film developing and other materials will be included.

The multiple-session program is $54 for members and $66 for non-members.

On Sept. 22, APEC will host Nutty Squirrels from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The class, which is $15 for members and $21 for non-members, will be limited to 12 participants between the ages of 5 and 6 years.

The program will teach youths about how squirrels prepare for the winter. It will include stories, games, crafts, a snack and live animals.

APEC will teach children about “creepy crawlers” on Sept. 23 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. The program, which is meant for children between the ages of 18 and 36 months, will include games, songs, a snack, crafts, live animals and a nature walk.

The event will be $16 for a child and one parent.

The environmental center will host its annual National Estuaries Day Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 29 at Little Neck Bay.

The free event will allow attendees to meet members of local civic, health service, historic, school and government organizations.

The day will include hikes, live music, canoe and boat rides, educational booths, crafts, and exhibits.

APEC, which is located at 228-06 Northern Blvd. in Douglaston, will also offer its monthly and Fledglings courses for local children.

But the center will also host Junior Nature Kids for children in kindergarten through second grade, a nature club for 4-year-olds and a program for Little Nature Cubs.

All three classes will be held on Wednesdays beginning on Sept. 19.

For more information or to register for a class, call 718-229-4000.