Current Events
Third Annual
Nantucket Family Adventure 2010
Download a registration form here
Hosted by: Maria Mitchell Association, Nantucket Conservation Foundation, Mass Audubon, Nantucket Land Council, UMass Boston Nantucket Field Station, Linda Loring Nature Foundation and Strong Wings Adventure School, The Trustees of Reservations
The Nantucket Family Adventure is a 6-week, self-propelled exploration of the unique habitats of Nantucket. Guided and self-guided activities, scavenger hunts, puzzles, and more all contribute to the family fun during this free, multi-week event. Use the free NFA guidebook to track your progress and enjoy the places you visit. Prizes are available for the families that participate in the most activities, and for all those who attend the end event!
Kickoff is Sunday, May 9 from 12-2pm
At the Linda Loring Nature Foundation
How it works
• Families can pick up a registration form at the Maria Mitchell Association or downloaded by clicking the link above. Please return all forms to the Maria Mitchell Association, Attn: Nantucket Family Adventure, 4 Vestal Street Nantucket, MA 02554.
• Each team must consist of at least one adult age 18 or older and one child under age 18.
• Families are invited to a kick-off event at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation on May 9. In addition to participating in outdoor activities for all ages, families will be provided with all materials needed for the competition. Don't miss the Final Event on June 13 at Strong Wings.
• Each week of the competition features either a "guided" event or "self-guided" event. Check your passport or the website for dates, times and descriptions of the guided events. A self-guided event allows teams to visit the designated park anytime during the 6-week event and engage in an activity on their own such as letterboxing or a scavenger hunt.
• Each team will receive a passport which will be used to track teams' participation in the competition. When teams check-in at each guided event, they are awarded points for their attendance. Teams must provide proof of completion of self-guided park activities (e.g., a letterbox stamp or photograph).
• Throughout the competition, teams are encouraged to send photos to be placed on our website about their experience. Photos or comments can be emailed to info@mmo.org
• Teams with the highest points-those that have attended the most events- become semi-finalists. Semi-finalists will then compete in Nature Jeopardy on June 13 to determine prize winners.
• There will be prizes awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place families, and prizes for all who attend the final event.
ORDER AN NFA TSHIRT HERE
These tshirts are offered at-cost through CafePress
Island organizations are teaming up once again to offer the third annual Nantucket Family Adventure (NFA), a multi-week, back-to-nature event for all ages, beginning May 9, 2010. Families will engage in a little friendly competition as they explore Nantucket's conservation areas through activities such as games, letterboxing, scavenger hunts, and more. The Maria Mitchell Association, Nantucket Conservation Foundation, Mass Audubon, Nantucket Land Council, UMass Field Station, Linda Loring Foundation, The Trustees of Reservations, and Strong Wings Adventure School will be hosting a variety of guided and self-guided events May 9-June 13. Prizes are available for first, second, and third place winners, and each registered family that attends the final event at Strong Wings on June 13 will receive a participation prize pack!
Families register to participate in this entirely FREE program by filling out a short form. (A "family" is defined by at least one adult accompanying at least one child, related or not- so participation is open to all.) Registered families receive a passport booklet with participating sites and fun activities for various natural areas on Nantucket, as well as a schedule of activities. They can also sign up to receive reminders about the scheduled activities planned throughout the six weeks.
Scheduled activities include beach cleanup with the Clean Team, an Open Night at the MMA's Loines Observatory, garlic mustard pull at the Old Mill, a horseshoe crab walk at Monomoy, a Great Point lighthouse tour, a creepy-crawly scavenger hunt, and kayaking. Families can attend these events as their schedule allows, or can simply do the activities in the booklet at their leisure.
The spirit of the Nantucket Family Adventure is to get children and families outdoors together to enjoy the natural beauty of Nantucket and encourage participation in outdoor activities. There is no cost to participate. Inspired by the "No Child Left Inside" movement and initiated in 2008 by the Maria Mitchell Association, the NFA has been a successful collaborative program for the past two years. This year, the collaborating organizations hope to attract even more local and visiting families. It's easy to get involved: Families can pick up a registration form at the Maria Mitchell Association, and forms can be downloaded online. Don't miss the kickoff event at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation on May 9 from 12-2pm.