We can't wait to explore the Preserve with your student(s) in this drop-off after school club for Middle Schoolers! This is an exclusive opportunity to experience hands-on exploration, investigation and discovery in ways unavailable to those just visiting the Preserve. We'll provide tools and expertise to go deep into a variety of topics. We want to grow a love of nature in your student, and train young naturalists in a casual, fun-oriented environment. These classes are always joyful and filled with wonder!

Ideally, students will attend multiple Nature Discovery sessions. Since topics and meet up locations change, each time is new and they can build on what they know. It is also OK to jump in at any point!

REGISTRATION CLOSES AT MIDNIGHT THE TUESDAY BEFORE CLASS. This allows us time to plan. If you miss the deadline, you may email erin@conesteepreserve.org to determine if there is still space for your child. CLASS SHOWING FULL? We can start a wait list. Please let us know, and we'll do our best to accommodate!

Every parent must fill out this form for their child/children once each season of Nature Discovery prior to their first class.

WHO

6th-8th Graders

WHEN

2nd and 4th Thursdays, 4:00pm-5:30pm, February - May (we will not meet on GCS Spring Break)

• Thursday, February 9, 2023 - February Eggstravaganza: Spotted Salamander Edition - We're on the hunt for spotted salamander eggs, which should be newly laid that time of year! We will use magiscopes to examine the developing embryos. We'll also turn some logs to see if we can find any spotted salamanders.
• Thursday, February 23, 2023 - February Eggstravaganza: Heron Edition - In science, the discovery is often in the continued observation over time! We will turn our focus more fully to great blue heron breeding in this class, learning more about these incredible birds and observe their progress. We will also take a look at those spotted salamander eggs once again and note the progression of embryo development!
• Thursday, March 9, 2023 - Below the Surface - We will use nets to try and catch small animals called "macroinvertebrates" that live underwater and can be indicators of water quality, and study what we find!
• Thursday, April 13, 2023 - Earth Impact Day - In celebration of Earth Day, students will take part in a project to make a lasting difference in the Preserve.
• Thursday, April 27, 2023 - Fantastic Frogs - 13 species of frogs and toads live here...but how many can we find? We will train our ears as well as our eyes...we're going on a frog hunt! 
• Thursday, May 11, 2023 - Growing Up Wild! - Spring is full of babies in the Preserve. We'll see how many we can spot in our time together.
• Thursday, May 25, 2023 - Student's Choice! Every season, by the last week, we hear students sharing lots of wishes for what we could do in class. So in this final week, we'll give the power to them! We'll ask them for ideas in preceding weeks, and follow their enthusiasm for this last class of the season. 

COST

Individual sessions are $10 per student.

NEW Bundle options! Register for the whole semester (7 sessions) for $50.00 per student. 

WHERE

Meetup locations will change each session. Registered participants will be emailed on the Wednesday prior to the event to let you know where we are meeting. Please add erin@conesteepreserve.org to your contact list so that the event emails do not get lost in your spam folder.

WHAT TO BRING
Please bring a water bottle. Sunscreen and bug spray should be applied before class if needed. Club sessions are entirely outdoors, so dress for the weather. 

CANCELLATIONS

We will cancel if we have less than 4 participants, so encourage your friends to sign up with you! We will notify participants by noon the day of the class if we are cancelling due to weather. Cancellations by participants must be made 1 week prior to the event for a full refund, with the exception of cancellations due to illness. If the event is cancelled by CNP or due to illness, full refunds will be issued.