Joey and Johnny DiMento have been entertaining their young friends at the Nature Center on the third Sunday of each month. Ten-year-old Joey and her younger brother Johnny (age 7) have always enjoyed hanging out at the Nature Center, investigating the exhibits, reading the children’s books, doing nature-oriented crafts, and exploring the trail. Their parents, Danny and C.J., are long-time members and highly involved volunteers at BVAS. The monthly gathering of kids began when the DiMento family signed up to host the Nature Center from 1-4 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month. Joey quickly took on the role of “kid’s greeter,” welcoming each youngster who entered the Nature Center with special walks around the exhibits and suggestions of fun activities. She then began inviting her friends from school to drop by to join her and Johnny for fun and games at the Nature Center. It’s now become a much-anticipated nature play day for a growing number of young children, as well as their accompanying parents. As attendance has grown, so has the fun and excitement. The adults provide a few ideas and help oversee things in general, but the kids themselves invent many of the games and choose their activities.

Visitors to the Nature Center can always tell when Joey’s and Johnny’s Clubhouse has had another “meeting”. For several days following each session, the sidewalk at the entrance to the Nature Center is adorned with colorful chalk art featuring birds, flowers, and other designs, usually accompanied with the hand-written sentiment “We Love the Nature Center!”.

Do you have a bored youngster looking for a little fun this summer? Drop by the Nature Center from 1-4 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month and join the kids (and parents) at Joey’s and Johnny’s Clubhouse.

Everyone’s welcome. Kids and parents are invited to participate. We will make leaf wreaths in November and nature ornaments in December. Come and join the fun!