Let your children pursue their curiosity about nature and the great outdoors indoors with naturalist Becky Cunfer who is hosting a weekly children's program on Thursday evenings at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center.

The program, which is underway and will continue until April runs for two hours. The next program is Thursday evening, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. Beginning in February, the programs will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.At last week's program on Wintering Birds, Cunfer discussed bird adaptations and migrational patterns. She showed the children how to make a variety of treats for wild birds. These included: edible bird garlands out of popcorn, Cheerios or Fruit Loops; and peanut butter pine cones over peanut butter and bird seed-covered rice cakes. The children were invited to place the edibles outside their window at home to attract birds.She led, Fill the Bill, an interactive game that showed how different types of birds have bills that have adapted to their food gathering needs. "A hummingbird has a thin, long beak to get into a flower to get nectar," Cunfer explained. "Some have beaks to eat seeds, others to collect worms. Every animal is unique and has different adaptations based on their niche in the ecosystem."Jan. 27 is On The Farm, a program close to Cunfer's heart. She grew up and still lives on Cunfer's Farm in Mahoning Township-the place-to-go from May through June for locally grown organic strawberries.On the Farm is about Europeans coming to America to open the frontier to farming. Participants will decide where to locate a farm a will create a model farm on the frontier. Cunfer's family has been farming their land for nine generations, since frontier days."We will do things families might do on a farm," she explained. "We will get cream from a local dairy to make butter and homemade jellies just like they did generations ago. We will have a tree with apples to pick and a nest where eggs can be collected."On February 3, from 5-7 p.m., it's Family & Friends Movie and Ice Cream Night. "It's never too cold for making homemade ice cream," Cunfer said. "Come make homemade ice cream and watch a fun family film."On February 10, from 5-7 p.m., it's Snowflake Science. The program, for children 7 years and up, will study the three types of matter-solid, liquid and gas, and show water in each form of matter-ice cubes, jello, and water vapor. "We will study how each snowflake is unique," she said, "and study the science behind what turns a water molecule into snow and ice, we will make crafts with snowflakes."The following cover the balance of programs in the series.February 17: 5-7 p.m. Cultural Explorations. Become an adventurous Viking or a beautiful Princess. Earn tokens while learning about important people and cultures of the world. Perhaps, you will even find a hidden treasure!February 24: 5-7 p.m. Olympic Sports Night You don't need to be athletic to enjoy this night of indoor fun! Sporting events include an indoor track meet, nature baseball, and more.March 3: 5-7 p.m. Moon Rise and Night Hike. Hike to Mauch Chunk Lake and watch the moon rise. Discover night life and enjoy the great outdoors with friends and family.March 10: 5-7 p.m. Team Building Workshop. Cross the Amazon and avoid hungry alligators. Climb through a spider web and pass through an obstacle course. This workshop develops leadership, team building, communication and problem solving skills.March 24: 5-7 p.m. Make a Rainbow. Take a look at the light spectrum. See how light and solar energy can be used and create your own rainbows.March 31: 5-7 p.m. Making the Band. Create musical instruments from recycled items. Then, enjoy a jam session with a special appearance from a local musical artist.April 7: 5-7 p.m. Let's Go-Fly a Kite. Construct and decorate a kite. Then, fly your own kite and take it home to share with friends and family.April 14: 5-7 p.m. Native American Culture and Crafts. Enjoy activities of the Native American culture. Build a teepee, construct a homemade rainstick, try weaving and leatherworking crafts.April 21: 5-7 p.m. Egg Decorating. Celebrate spring by decorating eggs and participating in a spring egg hunt. Age groups for the egg hunt will be determined the day of the event.April 28: 5-7 p.m. Exploring the Watershed. Hike and explore the Mauch Chunk Lake Watershed. Look for wildlife and animal homes. Discover what nature has to offer.Preregistration is required. Call 570-645-8597. For a list of topics, see:

www.carbonceec.org. Free to CCEEC members. Nonmembers will be charged a fee to cover cost of materials. The Carbon County Environmental Education Center is located at 151 E. White Bear Drive in Summit Hill.