Storytime Stewards: FREE Nature Story Hour & Critter Craft with VT Fish & Wildlife

Join the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and Dead Creek Visitor Center for Storytime Stewards, a FREE nature-based story hour and critter craft for families! Through storytelling and sensory exploration, Storytime Stewards inspires curious young minds to author their own stories of stewardship — or caring for our wildlife neighbors, nearby nature, and each other.

WHAT: Engaging story circle (read-aloud) with a nature-themed picture book, gentle hands-on discovery with nature artifacts (e.g., pelts, model skulls, and tracks), a themed “critter craft” to spark tactile, arts-based learning, and outdoor place-based learning

WHERE: Dead Creek Visitor Center (966 VT-17, Addison, VT 05491), Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

WHEN: 10:30 – 11:30 AM on Sat, Nov 7 and Sat, Nov 21, 2026

WHO: Free and open to all families. Designed for ages 3–7 (PreK-2) with a caregiver/adult present. **NOTE ON AGES** Our small Visitor Center does NOT have dedicated facilities or amenities for infants or toddlers (e.g., changing tables, baby-safe play areas). However, younger and older siblings of all ages are very welcome with supervision of an adult/caregiver. Our hands-on exhibits are especially engaging for upper elementary youth through adults. Facilities include two single-use restrooms, a low-grade interpretive trail, and ADA accessible parking.

OPTIONAL! Want more time for self-guided play or snack? Families are welcome to explore the Dead Creek Visitor Center before or after the program, including our INDOOR exhibits and restrooms(open seasonally 10 AM - 4 PM Thurs - Sat through Nov 30, 2026) or our OUTDOOR grounds (picnic tables, interpretive trail, and wildlife viewing platforms open all day year-round).

QUESTIONS: Please email Mandy.Nix@vermont.gov