Schedule of Classes

All of our classes are half-day programs, meeting from 9:00 - 12:00 or 12:30 - 3:30. All classes include a daily nature walk through the Nature Center’s diverse habitats. We schedule special events with Nature Center teacher/naturalists on a monthly and seasonal basis and include live animal demonstrations, apple cidering, maple sugaring, pond exploration, and greenhouse projects.

Discovers: Age 3

The Discoverers program for three-year-olds stresses developmental activities. Their curriculum is based upon the seasonal changes found at the Nature Center. Themes reflect current events in the natural world and provide the basis for daily activities. Their daily schedule allows them to explore and express themselves through art, music, movement, dramatic play and language activities.

Our Discoverers may attend either a two day or a three day program.
M/W/F 9 a.m. - noon
M/W/F 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
T/TH 9 a.m. - noon

Trail Blazers: Ages 3 - 4

Our Trail Blazer class is a combination of three and four-year-old children. As with the other two programs, the focus is nature and the environment. Mixed-age grouping provides benefits because differences within a group of children are a source of rich intellectual and social experiences. The intention of mixed-age grouping is to increase the heterogeneity of the group to capitalize on the differences in the experience, knowledge, and abilities of the children. Young children can be encouraged and nurtured by the older children, while the older ones can demonstrate leadership and nurturing roles.

The Trail Blazer class attends a three day program.
M/W/F 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Explorers & Explorers Pre-K: Ages 4 - 5

The four and five-year-old Explorers focus on active learning situations in which children have opportunities to make choices and decisions and work with teachers and other children to support their social, emotional, physical, creative and cognitive skills. We base this curriculum on seasonal changes at the Nature Center and enhance it by offering hands-on opportunities for learning in science, art, math, music, movement and dramatic play. These experiences reinforce the children’s understanding and appreciation of the natural world.

Explorers may attend either a four day or a five day program.
T/TH/F 9 a.m. - noon and M/W 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
M/W 9 a.m. - noon and T/TH 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Explorers Pre-K
M/W/F 9 a.m. - noon and T/TH 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. (older fours & five year olds)

To visit our school and our grounds, please call the Nature Center’s Director of Early Childhood Programs, Priscilla Woyke at (203) 966-9577 x 16.