Programs
Camp Experience
CNC offers day camps throughout the year including one week of winter camp in February, one week of spring camp in April, and ten weeks of summer camp from late June through early September. Campers explore nature on our diverse property — all themes and activities center around environmental and outdoor education. Children play with and explore our six-story tree house, animal collection, TEAM Challenge course, and nature trails, and leave with knowledge and appreciation for the natural world.
Russ Friedell, our Camp Director explains the fun experience your camper can have at CNC!
Animal Programs
For Grades PreK+
Animal Adaptations
Students will learn about the behaviors and physical traits that help animals survive in their natural habitats. This program provides a hands-on opportunity to interact with mammals, reptiles, and birds, all part of the CNC live animal collection.
World of Reptiles
Interact with our cold-blooded animals. Learn how turtles, snakes, and lizards are related, yet radically different. Dispel some common myths about these fascinating animals.
*Animal Programs can be tailored to your needs, such as classes about vertebrates or nocturnal animals.
Outdoor Educational Programs
For Grades PreK-2
Awesome Aquatics
Using stream and pond ecosystems, students will learn about the animals that live in local aquatic habitats. Active games and arts and crafts will focus on the adaptations of fish, aquatic insects, frogs, and turtles that students find in class or in our collection.
Seasons Change
Use your senses to see, hear, smell, touch, and taste how the seasons are changing. Seasonal themes include maple trees, blossoms, scents, apples, changing leaves, and tracking. Discover the wonders of the seasons on an interactive walk through the Nature Center woods.
For Grades 3+
Survival
Students will learn the rules for survival when stranded in the woods. They will build a shelter, eat wild edibles, make a fire, and look for wildlife in this exciting class.
Water Ecology
Be prepared to get your feet wet in this fun class. Students will use nets to collect and identify common organisms found in the stream and pond. Relationships to water quality, the food chain and adaptations for an aquatic environment will be stressed.
Forest Ecology
Study the Finger Lakes forests using plot surveys. Explore the forest floor discovering the characteristics of trees, the decaying process, and the surrounding wildlife. Compare notes with the other groups in your class.
Geology of the Finger Lakes
Learn about geology by exploring the Nature Center’s gorge and views of Cayuga Lake. Focusing on the mechanisms of glaciers, erosion, sedimentation and the rock cycle, students will observe stream power at work and hike to interesting geological sites.
Seasonal Programs
For Grades PreK+
Maple (late winter-early spring)
The students will study Sugar Maple trees and learn the process of how maple trees are tapped and sap becomes syrup. Students will learn the historical background of maple sugaring, gain knowledge of maple trees and their ecology, and see the equipment used to make syrup and learn how it is used.
Apple Cidering (fall)
Learn the history and uses of apples in the United States and around the world. Students will encounter seed dispersal and species propagation. Students will press apples and taste the finished product.
For Grades PreK-2
Butterflies and Moths (June –September)
Explore the Butterfly Garden at the Nature Center. Learn about the butterfly life cycle through games and demonstrations. Use nets to try to catch butterflies and moths to help populate the Butterfly Garden. Learn about nectar and host plants and bring home milkweed seeds to help the local monarchs!
For Grades 3+
Winter Ecology (winter)
Students will discover the unique ecology and features of winter by venturing into snow-covered woods and fields. They will observe signs of wildlife and discuss their adaptations. Explore global issues related to seasonal change.
To schedule a program contact
Cindy Rice
Manager of Outdoor Environmental Education
607-273-6260 ext 223
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Emily Baker
Animal Collections Manager
607-273-6260 ext 228
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All programs are 1 hour unless otherwise scheduled.
Pricing
$75 per program
$2 per participant
*Recommended 1:10 chaperone to student ratio. Adults over this number will be charged CNC admission
Ask about traveling program availability!