TNC Birthday Programs
All Programs are 1 hour
If a subject of interest to you does not appear below, please contact the Education Director for more information!

Pre-school and Kindergarten
Ages 3-5 years old

  1. Animal Encounter:
    Children meet our live animals and use their senses to discover how they are different and similar to these creatures. Focusing on how each species adapts to survive in its environment (what it eats, what covers its body, etc.), helps children gain a respect for and decrease their fears of several animal species. After the indoor portion we will venture outside for a short walk in search of our native animals. Each party guest will receive a bug box to take home!

  2. Feathered Friends:
    Through activities and games, guests will learn what makes a bird unlike any other animal! See and touch artifacts before heading out on the trails in search of some of TNC's resident species. The program concludes with an up-close visit with a live bird. Each party guest will receive a set of binoculars to decorate and take home!

  3. Planting Party
    Take a walk in Mother Nature's garden and see what it takes to be green! Explore the forest and discover how plants provide for themselves and other organisms. Each party guest will get to test their green thumbs by decorating a pot and planting a seed to take home!

  4. Outdoor Exploration
    Guests will explore the wonders each season brings to the forest. On a walk along the trails, your group will learn about and observe how plants and animals respond to seasonal changes! Participants can bring this knowledge home to make their own observations. Each party guest will receive a bug box to take home!

  5. Scavenger Hunt
    It's time to test your sleuthing skills! Guests will explore TNC with an educator to discover the answers to clues about nature and to search the trails for items found in the forest. Each party guest will receive a magnifying glass to take home!

Kindergarten - 8th Grade
Ages 6-13 years old

  1. Apple Cider Making (Offered from September through early November)
    Start the press!     Guests investigate a simple machine and the differences in plant parts, as they use an old-fashioned screw press to make and sample fresh apple cider. In the process, they learn about the history of the cider making from colonial times to the present.     Program has an additional $50 fee

  2. Hang'n with the Herps
    “Herps” (reptiles and amphibians) are among the most under-appreciated and misunderstood species of the animal world. This program will introduce guests to live snakes, frogs, salamanders and turtles and highlight the characteristics which distinguish between reptiles and amphibians.  A walk to the pond will give guests a chance to investigate some species in their habitat!     Each party guest will receive a bug box to take home!

  3. Hawks, Owls, & Eagles . . Oh My!
    Guests will observe several live raptors up close and learn about their behavior, physiology, adaptations, ecological importance and natural history. Hands-on artifacts and demonstrations will capture the imagination of young and old.  Each party guest will receive a set of binoculars to decorate and take home!

  4. Incredible Insects
    Guests examine live insects in an introduction to the vast array of insect life.  Participants will learn where to find insects outside and how to identify them. By observing life stages and adaptations, guests will learn to identify different insects in a variety of aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Each party guest will receive a bug box to take home!

  5. Maple Sugaring (Offered from late February through early March)
    Guests learn about the history of maple sugaring in North America.  (We encourage sap tasting, if enough has been collected.)  We demonstrate both Native American and colonial syrup-making techniques outdoors.  Participants will try their hand at tap hole drilling.  We challenge guests to try to distinguish between corn syrup and  “real thing”, 100% maple syrup, by taste alone.

  6. Outdoor Exploration
    Guests will explore the wonders each season brings to the forest. On a walk along the trails learn how plants and animals respond to seasonal changes! Your guests can bring this knowledge home to make their own observations!  Each party guest will receive a magnifying glass to take home!

  7. Outdoor Survival
    It's all about Positive Mental Attitude!  If your guests were lost in the woods, would they know what to do? We will teach them to prepare for survival outdoors, using  the “rules of three”.  Participants will have to cooperate and exercise group skills to build a survival shelter. Each party guest will receive a compass to take home!

  8. Planting Party
     Take a walk in Mother Nature's garden and see what it takes to be green!  Explore the forest and discover how plants provide for themselves and other organisms.  Guests will get to test their green thumbs by decorating a pot and planting a seed to take home and tend. Program has an additional $50 fee

  9. Scavenger Hunt
    It's time to test your sleuthing skills!  Guests will explore TNC with an educator to discover the answers to clues about nature and to search the trails for items found in the forest.  Each detective will receives a notebook and pencil to record their discoveries!

  10. Wacky Watersheds (Offered from the end of March through October)
    Guests use dip nets, magnifiers and their eyes to discover what inhabits our pond's watery depths.  Plants and animals can be seen at different stages of their life cycle.  Each party guest will receive a bug box to take home!