Afterschool Clubs
After a day indoors, kids need time to move, explore, and connect with the natural world. Our Afterschool Nature Clubs offer students a refreshing change of pace, outdoors. Each session features a new seasonal theme and hands-on experiences designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of nature.Registration is available by the session.
FOREST EXPLORERS
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Tuesdays, 3:15PM - 4:45PM
WILDERNESS ENCOUNTERS
3rd Grade - 5th Grade
Thursdays, 3:15PM - 4:45PM
About Our Afterschool Program
At Friends of Rye Nature Center’s Forest School, we believe a deep understanding of and connection to nature starts when we allow our environment to teach us. The 47-acre forest at the Rye Nature Center is so much more than a park. It is the place where we begin to understand our role in our greater ecosystem, how we can shape our future, and why the freedom of the outdoors ignites our imaginations and intellects.
Our afterschool clubs give elementary school students the opportunity to spend some much-needed time at the end of their day exploring the outdoors. Each session will focus on a different topic to help participants connect with nature and have fun. Registration is available by the session.
In the event of severely inclement weather, class may be cancelled. No refunds will be available in the event that classes must be cancelled due to weather or changes in state guidelines.
Forest
Explorers
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Tuesdays 3:15PM - 4:45PM
This program uses Swiss concepts and the principles of place-based education to encourage children's connection with the natural world and nurture their curiosities. Topics may include the use of basic tools and how to make them out of natural materials, wilderness skills and foraging basics, and nature cultures and folklore. This program is ideal for former Forest Preschool students as well as children who just want to be outdoors!
Kindergarten through 1st Grade.
Tuesdays | 3:15 – 4:45 p.m.
Autumn Explorers
September – November (8 classes)
Through forest walks, nature crafts, sensory games, and seasonal stories, children discover the wonder of fall.
Dates:
September: 16, 30
October: 7, 14, 21, 28
November: 18, 25
Winter Wonders
December – February (10 classes)
Bundle up and embrace winter! Activities include ice experiments, sledding, hot cocoa, birdwatching, and more to show kids that cold weather is full of discovery.
Dates:
December: 2, 9, 16
January: 6, 13, 20, 27
February: 3, 10, 24
Springtime Scientists
March – May (12 classes)
Explore how the forest and brook come alive in spring! Children will track migrating animals, catch insects with nets, and observe seasonal changes in real time.
Dates:
March: 3, 10, 17, 24
April: 7, 14, 21, 28
May: 5, 12, 19, 26
Wilderness
Encounters
3rd - 5th Grade
Thursdays 3:15PM - 4:45PM
Take the next step in your naturalist education! This immersive outside program challenges participants to use their imagination, energy, and teamwork to better understand our local woodlands. Lessons may include learning to use basic tools, building with natural materials, and survival essentials such as tracking animals, shelter construction, firebuilding, and foraging basics.
2nd through 4th Grade
Thursdays | 3:15 – 4:30 p.m.
Autumn Adventures
September – November (9 classes)
Older students dive into environmental science with fire-building, obstacle courses, and experiments that bring seasonal ecology to life.
Dates:
September: 18, 25
October: 9, 16, 23, 30
November: 6, 13, 20
Winter Survival Skills
December – February (10 classes)
This teamwork-focused session teaches practical nature skills like orienteering, animal tracking, and making winter snacks, all while learning how wildlife thrives in the cold.
Dates:
December: 4, 11, 18
January: 8, 15, 22, 29
February: 5, 12, 26
Eel Explorers
March – May (12 classes)
Be a citizen scientist! Kids will study the glass eel migration in Blind Brook using fyke nets, while learning about aquatic ecosystems and the incredible life of an eel.
Dates:
March: 5, 12, 19, 26
April: 9, 16, 23, 30
May: 7, 14, 21, 28
Discover More
Nature Fun!
Looking for more nature-filled adventures? Explore our Weekend and Public programs for additional opportunities to connect with the outdoors and participate in engaging activities suitable for all ages!