Children’s Programs
Check out the lists below to see our upcoming programs for children. Click on the name of the program to see more details and register.
Young Children
Put on some boots and bring your sense of adventure! Put on some boots and bring your sense of exploration! This program is designed for children ages 2.5 – 5 accompanied by an adult. Come and learn about nature through story time, art activities, and outdoor exploration. This program takes place on the 1st Wednesday and the 1st Saturday of the month from 10 – 11 am. 4 child minimum, 15 child max.
Program Fees: $8/member, $10/non-member. Pre-registration is required.
Tiny Trekkers is a weekly drop off program for ages 3 – 5. Preschoolers will explore our nearly 500 acres of preserve through hands-on experiences out in nature. This program has 2 session options — an AM session from 9 – 11 am and a PM session from 1 – 3 pm. Both sessions are offered on Tuesdays.
Tiny Trekkers is a great complement to part time preschool programs, as preparation for entering preschool or kindergarten, or even as an addition to a PreK/K homeschool program. Children must be able to use the restrooms independently. Limited spots are available for each session.
Registration is now open for the 2024/2025 school year!
Join Lauren for some time relaxing out in nature with your little one! These special nature-based yoga classes take place at The Nature Institute in Fall 2024. Sessions lasts 4 weeks and takes place entirely outdoors.
Little Birds yoga class is for ages 2 – 5 years accompanied by an adult. Be sure to bring mats or towels to practice on. Children’s yoga looks a little different than your usual yoga class! Expect fun movements, music, yoga games, and materials exploration in class. 3 child minimum, 10 child max. Please, no younger or older siblings.
We’re going on a bear hunt! Ages 3 – 7 are invited to explore fun materials, complete silly activities, and go on a short hike to find a bear. Kids will take home their very own teddy bear at the end of the program. 5 child minimum, 15 child max.
Program Fees: $10/members, $15/non-members. Be sure to wear clothes and shoes that can get messy!
Program Date: Saturday, October 12th, 11 am – 12 pm.
Bring your little one for Reggio-inspired forest play. Various invitations will be offered to spark your child’s curiosity, creativity, and problem solving skills. Ages 18 months – 6 years are invited to this special play day. All activities take place around the Lodge and playground. This is an open-house style program – feel free to arrive and leave at any time between 9 – 11 am.
Program Fees: FREE for members and non-members.
Date: Thursday, September 26th, 9 – 11 am. No pre-registration is required.
Students
After School Explorers (previously Discovery Nature Club) is an after school drop-off program for elementary students (1st – 5th grade). This fall, students will meet bi-weekly on Wednesdays from 3:30 – 5:30 pm to explore the preserve and learn more about nature. Registration is by the month. See below for the monthly themes. 5 child minimum, 14 child max.
Program Fees: $25/member, $30/non-member. Pre-registration is required.
Test out our Children’s Outdoor Escape Room! Ages 9 and up can join us for a variety of nature-based missions. Each mission provides a variety of puzzles to help you escape. Our Children’s Outdoor Escape Rooms are suitable for ages 9 and up and take place entirely outdoors. This program runs for 1 hour and is only booked for one group at a time. Group size must be 2 – 8 people and children must be accompanied by an adult. $10/person for members, $12/person for non-members.
Calling all homeschool families! This program takes place on select Wednesdays and occasional Tuesdays. Our Elementary sessions meet from 10 – 11:30 am, and our Middle & High School session meets from 1 – 3 pm. Sessions fill up quickly, so register early for your preferred dates.
Our sessions may include hikes, nature exploration, games, experiments, art projects, or scientific surveys. Participants in our younger sessions will also receive extension activities that can be completed at home with their whole family. Topics rotate each month and sessions are offered August through May.
Join Lauren for some time relaxing out in nature with your little one! These special nature-based yoga classes take place at The Nature Institute in Fall 2024.
Fledglings class is for ages 6 – 9. The session lasts 4 weeks and takes place entirely outdoors. Be sure to bring mats or towels to practice on! Parents can choose to join the class or stay on site. Children’s yoga looks a little different than your usual yoga class! Expect fun movements, music, yoga games, and materials exploration in class. 3 child minimum, 10 child max.
Need an evening off? Join us for a Kids Night Out! This 3 hour drop off program includes dinner and an evening of fun for ages 6 – 10 (with an occasional night offered for ages 9 – 13). This program is offered once a month on a Friday evening during the school year. Spaces are limited. See below for a description of our upcoming Kids Night Out. $30/member, $35/non-member. Pre-registration is required. Spots fill up fast!
This drop off program provides a single camp day for students when schools are closed. Morning snack is included in the program pricing. Spaces are limited. This program runs from 9 am – 3 pm and is available to ages 6 – 12. See below for a description of our upcoming Outdoor EDventure Days. $50/members, $55/members, morning snack is included. Pre-registration is required.
Learn specialty techniques and skills for living and surviving in the wild. This class will include bush knife skills, needle felting, and friction fires. This special teen class is for ages 12 – 16!
Program Fees: $15/member child, $18/non-member child. All materials are provided.
Date: Saturday, November 2nd from 12 – 2 pm. Minimum: 4, Maximum: 12