The classes listed below may be presented as individual programs, or combined for half-day programs. Multi-class programs may be organized around seasonal themes- talk to our naturalists for seasonal suggestions. For our younger visitors, we recommend no longer than 30-minute presentations, separated by unstructured time to explore and enjoy. Our staff can present games during breaks, or you can supervise on your own. For our older students, we are happy to expand or adapt our basic offerings to suit the season and classroom curriculum. Talk to our naturalists for suggestions.

Critters

Butterflies
Our Butterfly house opens in early June, and preparations for the return of our guests set the stage for exploration and imagination. Your students will become butterflies as they learn about these fascinating creatures. Once the butterfly house opens, students can see the butterfly hatchery, catch some wild butterflies, and learn how to identify them. K

Birds of Feather
Birds have different colored feathers, some fly, some don't. They come in all different sizes, and their beaks can be long, short, pointy or curved. Learn about the variety of birds and meet some of CNC's feathered friends. K E M @

What Makes Them Different?
Introduction to critters of different species. Children will learn about the features and adaptations of vertebrates and non-vertebrates, cold and warm-blooded animals, feathers and scales. K E @

World of Reptiles
How much do you know about our cold-blooded friends? Meet several CNC reptiles and learn how turtles, lizards, and snakes are all related but radically different. What is the difference between a turtle and a tortoise, and why do snakes stick out their tounges? K E M @

Pet Care
Get introduced to CNC's critters that are former pets, and learn their intimate stories. Proper care of exotic pets will be discussed. E M @

Insect Investigations
You might be surprised to learn how many species of insect call our area home. In this program students will learn to identify the parts of an insect. Then we will use this knowledge to discover who is living along our trails. E @

Hooves, Paws and Hands
Our Naturalists can help bring the concept of animal adaptations into your classroom. We will concentrate on specific, local wildlife species, as we look at how they are adapted to their environment and what they mean to people. E @

First Grade – beavers or snakes
Second Grade – deer or woodchucks
Third Grade – raccoons or amphibians

This popular series can be expanded at the Nature Center to provide a more direct exploration into the functions of habitat, camouflage, adaptive behavior and survival of native species. Featured creatures include: M

Fourth Grade - skunks or insects;
Fifth Grade - birds or foxes;
Sixth Grade and above - “Mammal Mountain ”.

Mammal Mania
Perhaps the best known class of animals is the mammals, but just how well do we understand them? In this program, students will utilize a variety of furs, mounted specimens, skulls and more to learn the basic characteristics of our area mammals. E @

Wildlife Whodunits
It ’s time to put on your detective cap as we explore an animal mystery. Students will be provided with a series of clues, which they will use to solve the mystery. E

Migration Trek
Cayuga Nature Center’s fields, forests and “Treetops ” tree-house are habitat to many birds. Each year, thousands stop by on their annual migrations. Your students will become a flock geese or song-birds in order to learn the challenges of the migration trek. E

Animal Encounters
Recommended for businesses or fairs with large crowds of various ages
Hands-on, up close and personal introduction to our various animals. Includes live critters and animal identity games. K E M H @*

 

Nature

What’s Happening?
Every season is special in the woods. From springtime awakenings to preparations for winter, there is and a reason for every activity. Through a series of activities and a hike, students will learn to notice what is occurring around them every day. K @

Sense of Wonder
Young children learn by using all of their senses. During this hike of discovery, students will be challenged to learn about nature along our trails, using all five senses! K

Wet-N-Wild
Visit the Nature Center for a hands-on exploration of our creek and ponds. We will seek out critters that call the wetlands home, as we discover the importance of these special places. E

Nature Tales
Throughout the ages stories have helped young people learn about the animals around them. Many of these stories have been written down, but it is in the telling of these stories that they come alive. Students will hear a variety of animal stories from around the world. E @

Nature Journaling & Natural Math
Nature presents wonderful opportunities to demonstrate the value of mathematics (“the language of nature”) and journaling skills. Presentations on these important activities can be adapted to any of our programs. Please inquire for more information! E M H @

Wildlife Careers
Students interested in pursuing a career in the outdoors are no longer limited to becoming a “Forest Ranger ”. This one-hour presentation will guide students through a number of outdoor career options, including Wildlife Management, Forestry, Outdoor Recreation and more. H @

Conservation Issues
What issues are “hot” with respect to your local environment? Your class will identify, research and refine a topic of interest to them, and our instructors will facilitate a debate of the social and scientific aspects of the problem, serving to illustrate just how challenging the “correct” answer can be. This one-hour presentation may be combined with an on-site investigation into a selected issue, such as deer populations or flood plain management, for deeper exploration. H @

Gaining A Sense Of Place
Our natural world contributes a powerful influence on our personal “quality of life”. Unfortunately, we are virtually illiterate when it comes to being able to describe this impact or communicate its value to our neighbors. Through a combination of “solo time”, journaling, and guided discussion, participants will consider the meaning of a “Sense of Place”, and seek to describe the value of the natural world around them in terms other than dollars and cents. A minimum of two hours is recommended for this program. H

Wilderness Survival
There are many basic skills held in common by pioneers and outdoor enthusiasts. While basic survival skills are emphasized, concepts in animal survival strategies may also be included. Activity and Lesson topic choices include Shelter Building, Outdoor Navigation (compass usage, maps, landscape clues), Firebuilding & Cooking, Wilderness Rescue, Useful Wild Plants (seasonal focus on edible and other usable species) and Wildlife Tracking & Stalking. M H

Natural Systems
These individual lessons focus on specific communities, while the overall program contributes to an understanding of broader interdependencies.Activity and Lesson topic choices include Stream Ecology (aquatic insect focus), Forest & Field Communities (trees and herbaceous plants), Insects (Seasonal focus and collection activities.), Soils & Geology (a look at forest soils and bedrock structure in a gorge) and Seed Systems (collection and analysis of seed materials on the property). M H

 

Homestead and Farm

Early American Life
The Iroquois once had their homes in New York, giving way to settlers of European descent only after the American Revolution. With our pioneer homestead as a backdrop, we can explore the traditions, foods and lore of Native Americans and the experiences of those who “settled ” the Finger Lakes Region. M @

Early American Living
Explore the experience of early residents of the Finger Lakes Region. An extension of our Cayuga Frontier Explorers program, activity and Lesson choices include Traditional Wild Plant Uses (dyes, clothing, etc.), Pioneer Foods & Farms (gardening & edible plants, wild game), Traditional Games, Homesteading (using traditional tools for cooking, building, tool-making) and Living Local Lore (Stories requiring student participation). M H

 

Compost

Somethings Rotten on the Farm
Cayuga Nature Center’s farm property houses our compost program. Learn about the mechanics of the compost process and how the waste we divert from landfills contributes to the environment. M H