Instead of hibernating this February, young and old alike can head to Genesee Country Village & Museum for nature-focused activities, online and in-person classes, camps for kids, and a Valentine’s Day treat. Utilizing the wide-open spaces available at the Nature Center and Historic Village, GCV&M offers visitors a variety of ways to get out and have fun while staying safe and socially-distanced.
For those looking for entertainment they can enjoy from the warmth and comfort of home, GCV&M is also offering virtual classes throughout February on seed starting basics and cooking, featuring a red-wine truffle-making session. On-site, the museum is offering a variety of classes in baking and woodcarving for kids, teens, and adults, so everyone can get out and learn some new skills this winter. The museum’s website, gcv.org, has all the details and registration information.
As a treat for Valentine’s Day, GCV&M is offering a Sweetheart Dinner for Two, pre-ordered and ready for pickup on Saturday, February 13, Valentine’s eve, as a special curbside meal-to-go treat. This ready-to-eat dinner for two includes shrimp cocktail, grilled strip steaks, twice-baked potatoes, asparagus, salad, and rolls, plus the option to add in a dessert from the renowned Cake Place bakery, offering a choice of two cake flavors. Ordering is now open on the gcv.org website and will be up until Wednesday, February 10.
For winter enthusiasts looking for ways to be active outdoors or cure cabin fever, February at GCV&M is filled with programs that take advantage of all winter has to offer, starting with Nature Play: Wild Winter. This day camp for kids ages seven to 11 runs on Saturdays, February 6, 13, and 20, and offers participants the choice of a variety of crafts, games, and activities to spark creativity and encourage a love of nature. Later in the month, a Kiddie Cabbage Walk on Saturday, February 20, gets families out on the trails, enjoying the hilarity of silly games in the style of the museum’s popular Kohlfahrt event, but geared towards kids and families.
Guests can experience the unique magic of hiking the Nature Center trails under the full moon and have an up-close encounter with owls and raptors at Owl Moon, Friday and Saturday, February 26 and 27. The evening will include guided hikes, a reading of the beloved classic “Owl Moon” around a warm campfire, and a live-owl presentation by Wild Wings, Inc. Both Owl Moon and Kiddie Cabbage Walk are pre-registration only, with tickets available at gcv.org.
Guests to the Museum can also take advantage of the winter weather during Nature Sundays, happening each Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking, and sledding are all options as the weather permits, and with five miles of nature trails and a knowledgeable staff onsite, there’s plenty of outdoor fun to be had each Sunday, all for a $5 suggested donation. GCV&M also has snowshoes available to borrow on a first-come basis for those looking to try something new without buying their own equipment. Call ahead for updates on conditions and current activities at 585-294-8262.
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