On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, the South Shore YMCA Nature Center in Norwell was thrilled to welcome families and friends to the ribbon cutting ceremony of the beautiful new Nature Center Preschool building.
“It is exciting to reveal to our preschool families for the first time the amazing natural beauty of the classrooms and a facility designed to enhance the learning experiences of all, providing easy access to the outdoors,” said Mary Orne, Chief Development Officer for the South Shore YMCA. “We are thankful to those who took part in this wonderful celebration, and it was wonderful to see children exploring the space, as they are the future generation who will care for and preserve our natural world.”
Founded in 1962 as the South Shore Natural Science Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the education of natural and cultural environments of the South Shore, the center merged with the South Shore YMCA in 2011 to become the South Shore YMCA Nature Center. Located on 30 acres surrounded by 200 acres of town conservation/recreation land with meadows, woodlands, and a pond, the Nature Center is now home to a Nature Center Preschool and Nature Adventures Camp. Thanks to the support of donors and grant programs, the Nature Center has offered community programs, lectures, and wooded hiking trails for outdoor learning and exploration.
“Our brand-new preschool building and field will expand our environmental early education programming and summer camp here at the Nature Center, and we’re not going to stop there,” said Paul Gorman, President and CEO of the South Shore YMCA. “The current building that was built in the 60s is a little tired. So, it is time to rehab the inside, breathe new life into the space, and restore our nature-based community programs.”
Norwell Connects interviews South Shore YMCA President & CEO Paul Gorman at ribbon cutting event
In addition to community programming, Gorman said that having two buildings could provide an opportunity to expand its preschool program to offer a Nature Center Kindergarten program in the future.
As the Y looks to strengthen and expand its environmental programs and facility infrastructure at the Nature Center, it is looking for the community to participate through donations to its Leave Your Mark capital campaign, which was put on hold during the pandemic.
“We are now reaching out to offer the opportunity for all to participate in the community phase of the Nature Center campaign,” said Orne. “Thank you to our community for making the opening of the new Nature Center Preschool yet another historic milestone moment for this special place at the heart of the South Shore.”
To learn more about how you can help shape the future of the Nature Center early education and community programs, the Leave Your Mark campaign, contact Mary Orne at morne@ssymca.org.
