Situated on 80 acres of fields and woodlands, the Norton Outdoor Center offers endless outdoor recreational opportunities for kids, families, coworkers, and communities to come together.
Questions? For More Information
Contact Jen Maltese, Executive Director, Norton Outdoor Center
(508) 222-7292
jmaltese@attleboroymca.org.
Healthy Earth, Healthy Kids: APR 22
Join us for this free event us as we celebrate the 53rd anniversary of Earth Day along with the 31st anniversary of Healthy Kids Day! Earth Day was created to raise awareness of environmental issues and Healthy Kids Day® is all about improving health and well-being for kids and families. Creating healthy people means creating a healthy planet and the Y hopes to use the day to teach kids to appreciate everything the Earth gives us, while learning how to keep their minds and bodies active.
SAT APR 22 | 11AM-2PM
NORTON OUTDOOR CENTER
295 WEST MAIN STREET
NORTON, MA
Event Highlights:
- Local Craft Fair
- Family Fun Run
- Nature Scavenger Hunt
- Seed Planting
- Ropes Course Elements
- Yoga
- Product Samples
…And More
Free to Y Members & Non-Members
No Registration Required.
For questions or additional information, please contact Jen Maltese, Executive Director, Norton Outdoor Center by calling (508) 222-7292 or emailing JMaltese@attleboroymca.org.
Download Event Flyer
Nature Prowlers
Ages: 3-5
Calling all curious preschoolers to join our Nature Prowlers group! Explore, learn and enjoy the Norton Outdoor Center through hikes, crafts, and nature play!
This education program for kids ages 3-5 will run on Friday mornings, year round. Pricing is per month. 
Ongoing: Starting Friday, March 10, 2023
FRI MAR-MAY
9:30-10:30 AM
Norton Outdoor Center
295 West Main Street, Norton
$40/Child (per month), Y Members
$50/Child (per month), Non-Members
Register Online
Questions? Contact Jen Maltese, Executive Director, Norton Outdoor Center by calling (508) 222-7292 or email jmaltese@attleboroymca.org.
School Vacation Fun Days
Early Release Days
Kids will have a blast with a half-day of recreational, age-appropriate programs and activities that are safe, fun, and designed to stretch their minds and bodies. Scheduled activities may include: Archery, Hiking, STEM, Gardening/Nature Learning, Outdoor Games, and more!
Ages: K-5th Grade
FRI MAR 17 & 24 | APR 14 | MAY 19
1:00-5:30 PM
Norton Outdoor Center
295 West Main Street, Norton, MA
$50/Day, Y Members
$75/Day, Non-Members
Register for Early Release Days
No School Days
Kids will have a blast with a full-day of recreational, age-appropriate programs and activities that are safe, fun, and designed to stretch their minds and bodies. Scheduled activities may include: Archery, Hiking, STEM, Gardening/Nature Learning, Outdoor Games, and more!
Ages: K-5th Grade
FRI APR 7
8:00AM-5:00PM
Norton Outdoor Center
295 West Main Street, Norton, MA
$60/Child, Y Members
$90/Child, Non-Members
Register for No School Days
February Vacation Week
When holidays come up on the school calendar, count on the Y’s Child Development Center to provide your school-age child with a full day of action-packed fun! Our vacation day programs include recreational swimming, gym games, crafts, special guests, and so much more.
Ages: K-5th Grade
MON FEB 20-FRI FEB 24
[MON-Magician; Thu-Field Trip to Supercharged in Wrentham, MA]
8:00AM-5:00PM
Pleasant Street Branch
537 Pleasant Street, Attleboro, MA
$315/Child, Y Members
$325/Child, Non-Members
Register for February Vacation Week
April Vacation Week
Kids will have a blast with a full week of recreational, age-appropriate programs and activities that are safe, fun, and designed to stretch their minds and bodies. Scheduled activities may include: Archery, Hiking, STEM, Gardening/Nature Learning, Outdoor Games, and more! 
Ages: K-5th Grade
MON APR 17-FRI APR 21
8:00AM-5:00PM
Norton Outdoor Center
295 West Main Street, Norton, MA
$315/Child, Y Members*
$325/Child, Non-Members*
* Pricing is Per Week
We would be happy to work with you to adjust pricing if your child be be attending for 1-4 days.
$65/Day, Y Members
$75/Day, Non-Members
Register for April Vacation Week
Springtime Garden Party
Spend the morning in the garden at the Norton Outdoor Center! Participants will decorate a planter and plant seeds to take home and care for in their own gardens.

Ages: 5-12
SUN MAY 14
10:00-11:00 AM
Norton Outdoor Center
295 West Main Street
Norton, MA
$10, Y Members
$15, Non-Members
Register Online
Bees Are Our Buds!
Bees play a vital role in our environment and help produce at least one third of the food we eat! Unfortunately, bees often get a bad reputation because of similar looking wasps and hornets. In this program, participants will learn all about the difference between bees and other insects, as well as why it is so important to protect them. During this program, kids will learn all about beekeeping from a local beekeeper and will have a chance to plant some local pollinator plants to bring home!
SAT MAY 20
10:00-11:00 AM
Norton Outdoor Center
295 West Main Street
Norton, MA
$10, Y Members
$15, Non-Members
Register Online
Backyard Beekeeper
Ages: 12 and up
Ever wonder what it takes to be a beekeeper? Thought about starting a beehive of your own? During this program, you will learn what it takes to start your own beehives in your own backyard, as well as learning about bee behavior and how to harvest honey from your hives. This informative session will help you determine if you have what it takes to be a backyard beekeeper!
SAT MAY 6
10:00-11:00 AM
Norton Outdoor Center
295 West Main Street
Norton, MA
$10, Y Members
$15, Non-Members
Register Online
Art In Nature
Participants will engage with nature in an artistic and creative way. Drawing inspiration from nature and even incorporating natural objects into their projects, participants will create beautiful works of art to take home.
Ages: 6-10 & 11-15
Session I: Ages 6-10
SAT APR 29-MAY 20
10:00-10:45 AM
Register for this Session
Session II: Ages 11-15
THU MAY 4, 11, 18 & 25
6:00-6:45 PM
Register for this Session
$25/Session, Y Members
$35/Session, Non-Members
Springtime Movie Nights
Bring the family and pack a picnic dinner. Grab some chairs and blankets to curl up in and enjoy a movie under the stars!
SAT APR 29 & MAY 20
7:00-9:00 PM
*Movies to be announced on our website and social media channels (Follow us on Facebook & Instagram, @attleboroymca).
Norton Outdoor Center
295 West Main Street
Norton, MA
$25/Family of 4 (per movie), Y Members & Non-Members
$5 per additional family members
Toe Jam Puppet Band
Ages: All Ages
Come to a special performance by the Toe Jam Puppet Band at the Norton Outdoor Center. The Toe Jam Puppet Band offers a special brand of hands-on children’s entertainment that grown-ups can enjoy, as well. The performances are very active, encouraging kids and parents to sing and dance along with the band as they entertain with a unique combination of original songs, masterful shadow puppetry, storytelling and just plain old good fun!
WED APR 19
11:00-11:45 AM
Norton Outdoor Center
295 West Main Street, Norton, MA
$5/Child (Ages 2 and up), Y Members & Non-Members
Register Online
Night Ropes Course [for Adults Only]
Ages: 18+
Who is ready to take on the challenge of our ropes course, where you’re certain to feel a sense of fulfillment and achievement, ready to face any challenge, and inspired by the night sky under a canopy of trees lit only by the magic of the stars and a bit of safety lighting. Will you soar on the Giant Swing, scale the Rockwall, or face your fears on Voyager’s Crossing’s platforms?
SAT APR 29, MAY 27
6:00-8:30 PM
Norton Outdoor Center
295 West Main Street, Norton, MA
$25/Night, Y Members
$35/Night, Non-Members
Register Online
Youth Ropes Course
Ages: 6-12
Students will learn to demonstrate initiative, problem solving, trust while learning aobut themselves and others. They’ll build rapport in our outdoor setting involving high and low elements–soaring (or climbing) to new heights on the Giant Swing, or overcoming obstacles on Voyager’s Crossing platforms. They’ll scale our Rockwall and practice their ability to balance on our Whale Watch.
Sessions run Saturdays for 4 weeks. Please note there is no class on Saturday, April 15th.
ONGOING:
SAT APR-JUN
10:30-11:30 AM
Norton Outdoor Center
295 West Main Street, Norton, MA
$25, Y Members
$35, Non-Members
Register Online
Archery
Ages: 6-12
Take aim in the YMCA’s archery program. This program will introduce archers to the joy of the sport. Our goal is to equip each participant with the knowledge of range safety, respect of the sport, handling of equipment, and proper shooting technique all in an environment that fosters focus, improved accuracy, increased self-confidence, and team building. Instruction provided by a certified archery instructor.

Sessions run Saturdays for 4 weeeks. Please note there is no class on Saturday, April 15th.
Ongoing:
Saturdays, APR-JUN
9:00-10:00 AM
Norton Outdoor Center
295 West Main Street, Norton, MA
$25, Y Members
$35, Non-Members
Register Online
Mom’s & Dad’s Club Friday
Ages: Up to 5 years, with adult caregiver
Our brand new playground at the Norton Outdoor Center (installed summer 2022) offers the perfect setting for a late morning/early afternoon of playground time, snack break, and a craft.
FRI, APR 28 | MAY 26
10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Norton Outdoor Center
295 West Main Street, Norton, MA
Free, Y Members
Free, Non-Members
Registration is appreciated.