Gentle hands.
Happy hedgehogs.
A small school where families learn to hold, bond with, and care for African pygmy hedgehogs — one tiny uncurl at a time.
The first uncurl.
Nothing like it.
No experience needed. We start on the floor, at hedgehog height, with our voices low and our hands open. By the end of the hour, most children are asking if they can stay.
- Small groups — 6 families maximum per session
- Instructor-to-child ratio of 1:3
- Every child handles at their own pace — no rushing
- Parents and siblings all welcome on the mat
A room built for
slow discovery.
Our studio sits in a converted ground-floor space two blocks from Riverside Park. Cork floors, cedar shelving, and light that comes in low from the west. We kept it small on purpose. Big enough for six families. Quiet enough to hear a hedgehog sniff.
- Temperature-controlled for hedgehog comfort (72–76°F)
- Dedicated wash station before and after every session
- Cushioned floor mats — children can sit, lie down, sprawl
- Outdoor sessions in Riverside Park on clear days
“A room that smells like cedar and feels like Saturday morning.”
Every session starts with
one open palm.
For families who want
to go deeper.
Nail trimming. Bath time without the drama. Reading a hedgehog's health from quill density and appetite. This class was built for families who already have a hedgehog at home — or who are serious about getting one.
- Nail trimming with real tools, on real hedgehogs
- Anointing behavior explained (finally)
- Hibernation risks — what to watch for in winter
- Diet deep-dive: insects, kibble, and what to never feed
A biology lesson
you can hold.
On clear Tuesday mornings, we take class to Riverside Park. Homeschool families get a living anatomy lesson — nocturnal adaptations, sensory biology, mammalian defense mechanisms — all while a hedgehog walks across their field notebook.
- Curriculum notes provided for portfolio documentation
- Covers: anatomy, defense, diet, habitat, and behavior
- Works alongside any science curriculum (ages 7–14)
- Outdoor sessions run April through October
Families who
walked through our door.
Every review below is from a real family in your area — first names and streets, because that's the kind of place Quill is.
My daughter was terrified of animals after a dog bite last year. After the First Touch session, she asked if we could come back every weekend. She held the hedgehog for eleven minutes straight.
Book a Family Session
Sessions run Tuesday through Sunday. Groups stay small — six families maximum — so every child gets their turn.