Nia MacLean, 5, has Katie Koerten check the temperature on sticks she was rubbing together to start a pretend fire Monday during the February vacation program for kindergartners and first graders at the Hitchcock Center in Amherst. Koerten, an educator at the center, was accompanying her daughter, Ursa, as she attended the youngest “Jumping Mice” group.
Nia MacLean, 5, has Katie Koerten check the temperature on sticks she was rubbing together to start a pretend fire Monday during the February vacation program for kindergartners and first graders at the Hitchcock Center in Amherst. Koerten, an educator at the center, was accompanying her daughter, Ursa, as she attended the youngest “Jumping Mice” group. Credit: STAFF PHOTO/KEVIN GUTTING

AMHERST – Participants in the “Jumping Mice” group, for kindergartners and first graders, hiked to what’s known as the “Squirrel Kitchen” to enjoy some nature play during the first day of the February vacation program at the Hitchcock Center on Monday.

Kevin Gutting can be reached at kgutting@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevinGutting.