After School classes at the Preserve help connect children to the natural world in a variety of ways. Classes are held outdoors on the Preserve’s beautiful grounds when weather permits, or inside the Phil Dejana Learning Center. Small, intimate classes for children 15 months through high school foster lifelong connections between art, science, wellness and the environment.
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
New! Nature Storytime for Preschoolers & Caregivers Bring a blanket for this nature-themed storytime! We’ll read books outdoors, then explore the Preserve together, focusing on a different nature theme each week. Our storytime will include songs, movement and sensory play. We will be outside and walking, but in case of rain, we will bring nature indoors for interactive play and hands-on activities. Whether indoors or out, we will build a love of nature together! Sign up for 1 session, or both to receive a discount!
Art with Sandrine Gold
Miss Sandrine creates a fun environment for young artists to explore their creativity. Children will create paints, clay sculptures, collages and more, all inspired by nature’s abundant resources.
Outdoor Nature Exploration
Preschool – Early Elementary with Tracy Strianese
Upper Elementary with Leah Master
Outdoor nature immersion classes will lead students on a discovery of the natural wonders of the Preserve and its varied environments. These classes are held entirely outdoors in the Fall.
Youth Naturalists
Middle School – High School with Hildur Palsdottir
Students will learn about citizen science and engage directly in natural resource studies. They will learn how to map the composition and distribution of flora and fauna across the Preserve. Wildlife surveys will be performed with the help of camera traps and audiomoths, as well as with other tracking and surveying techniques. We will discuss healthy ecosystem function and actively participate in restoration that includes removal of invasives and rewilding with natives.
STEAM Discovery
Preschool with Sandrine Gold
Elementary with Leah Master
Children will explore a variety of scientific, technological, and engineering concepts through hands-on experiments, building projects, and artistic crafts. Inquiry-based classes will utilize the natural landscape of the Preserve for project materials and age-appropriate discussions.
Nature Discovery with the Parent Resource Center
Children age 15 – 36 months and their adults explore the natural world through active play and circle time, engaging the five senses. Register with the PRC!
Click here for Participant Waiver Form
Click here for Registration Form
FALL CLASS SCHEDULE
New this year: CLASS BLOCKS! Register your K-5 child for both Art and Nature classes on Thursdays or Fridays and receive a discount. Block classes include 10 minutes of supervised time in the Woodland Playground!
NATURE STORYTIME
Ages 18 months – 4 years with a caregiver
Thursdays 10:00 – 10:45 am
Session I: September 19 – October 17 (no class 10/3)
Session II: October 24 – November 14
Sign up for both sessions to receive a discount!
ART IN NATURE 
Ages 3-5
Thursdays 2:15 – 3:00 pm
Dates: September 19 – November 21 (no class 10/3, 10/31)
Grades K-1 – Eligible for Block Class
Thursdays 4:40 – 5:25 pm
Dates: September 19 – November 21 (no class 10/3, 10/31)
Grades 2-5 – Eligible for Block Class
Fridays 4:40 – 5:25 pm
Dates: September 13 – November 15 (no class 10/4, 11/1)
OUTDOOR NATURE EXPLORATION
Ages 3-5
Wednesdays 2:15 – 3:00 pm
Dates: September 18 – November 6
Grades K-2 Section I – CLASS FULL
Wednesdays 3:45 – 4:30 pm
Dates: September 18 – November 6
Grades K-2 Section II – Eligible for Block Class – CLASS FULL
Thursdays 3:40 – 4:25 pm
Dates: September 19 – November 21 (no class 10/3, 10/31)
Grades 3-5 – Eligible for Block Class
Thursdays 4:40 – 5:25 pm
Dates: April 4 – May 30 (no class 4/25)
Grades 6-10 – Youth Naturalists
Wednesdays 3:45 – 4:45 pm
Dates: September 18 – November 6
STEAM DISCOVERY
Ages 3-5 Section I
Thursdays 3:10 – 3:55 pm
Dates: September 19 – November 21 (no class 10/3, 10/31)
Ages 3-5 Section II
Fridays 2:15 – 3:00 pm
Dates: September 13 – November 15 (no class 10/4, 11/1)
Grades K-2
Fridays 3:40 – 4:25 pm
Dates: September 13 – November 15 (no class 10/4, 11/1)
Grades 3-5
Fridays 4:40 – 5:25 pm
Dates: September 13 – November 15 (no class 10/4, 11/1)
OUTDOOR DISCOVERY ZONE with PARENT RESOURCE CENTER –
Age 15 – 36 Months
Wednesdays 9:30 – 10:15 am, 10:30 – 11:15 am, & 11:30 am – 12:15 pm
Fridays 9:30 – 10:15 am
Dates: September 20 – December 13 (no class 10/4, 11/1, 11/29)
Register with the PRC
To register and for more information, contact Education Director Tracy Strianese (516.570.2185).