Dirt Club Afterschool Sessions Now Open
The outdoor nature education program takes place weekly in Gloucester and Rockport for elementary school students
400 Trees, an environmental initiative dedicated to engaging youth and planting trees, announced today that registration is now open for its free afterschool program, Dirt Club, that is designed to connect young people to their local ecosystem and the natural world around them.
Run through a partnership between 400 Trees and the Cape Ann YMCA to help elementary school children rediscover joy, wonder, and belonging in the natural world, Dirt Club focuses on outdoor play, seasonal exploration, and hands-on learning. It enables children to explore the nearby woods, ponds, trails, and fields in a safe, welcoming environment.
Dirt Club sessions are held in the Fall and Spring in the surrounding spaces at Gloucester and Rockport schools under supervision of YMCA and 400 Trees staff.
The current session of Dirt Club will run through the week of Nov. 16 at the following locations:
West Parish Elementary School – Tuesdays 3:45 – 4:30 p.m.
Rockport Elementary School – Wednesdays 3:45 – 4:30 p.m.
Plum Cove Elementary School – Thursdays, 3:30 – 4:20 p.m.
Beeman Elementary School – Thursdays, 3:30 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.
Registration is free and can be done through either the greater YMCA aftercare programming. Children who are not participating in the YMCA program directly can attend Dirt Club for free but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Registration can be completed online via the YMCA here.
Dirt Club strives to nurture confident, curious, and resilient children by providing safe, joyful, place-based outdoor learning experiences that foster a deep connection to nature and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. As part of the 400 Trees program through Biomimicry New England, Dirt Club is the foundational program on which youth education programming is built.
Initially founded in 2023 as part of Gloucester’s 400+ birthday celebration, 400 Trees has grown into an ongoing program dedicated to the planting and stewardship of native trees, youth education, and community engagement. The nonprofit organization works with volunteers, educators, municipalities, and local partners to expand urban tree canopies, address local hot spots, and support more sustainable Cape Ann communities by fostering a deeper connection between residents and the natural world.
To date, more than 470 trees have been planted around Gloucester’s urban neighborhoods. Learn more at 400TreesMA.org.
