After-School Registration 2023-24 School Year

Registration is available by the session. Your child may only attend one day per week (Tuesday OR Thursday) and must attend the session for their current grade. Please contact us if you have any questions.

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.

We will not be holding spots via the phone or paperwork. 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.

PROGRAM OFFERINGS

Grades K-1 | Tuesdays 3:15 - 4:30 p.m. | $270 per child per session

WINTER WILDERNESS EXPLORERS
Session 1: Feb 27, March 5, 12, 19, April 2, 9 
From identifying animal tracks in the snow to creating winter-themed crafts, join us for six weeks of exploring the grounds of Rye Nature Center. Each week promises a blend of outdoor adventure and creative exploration to foster a deeper connection with the changing winter wilderness.

SPRING ART CLUB
Session 2: April 16, 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28
Harness the inspiration of an emerging season. From scavenger hunts to nature inspired paintings, each week participants will engage in hands-on crafts to create vibrant works of art with the help of natural materials sourced from our forest!  

Grades 2-4 | Thursdays 3:15 - 4:30 p.m. | $270 per child per session

WINTER TO SPRING ADVENTURE
Session 1: Feb 29, March 7, 14, 21, April 4, 11 
Have you tasted sugar on snow? Starting in the middle of Maple Sugaring season, come join us in exploring the dynamic transition of seasons. Along the way we will discover the secrets of nature’s awakening as winter gives way to the vibrant hues of spring.  

JUNIOR NATURALIST ACADEMY
Session 2: April 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23 
Do you have what it takes to become a Junior Naturalist? As each session brings warmer weather, participants will engage in habitat exploration, bird identification, pond life discovery and insect hunting. Join us in becoming young stewards of the environment surrounded by the forest of RNC! 

Registration Steps

STEP ONE: Create an account. WE RECOMMEND YOU DO THIS BEFORE THE DAY OF REGISTRATION USING THIS LINK. This will minimize the amount of information you will have to submit the morning of registration. If you have attended a program or supported FRNC in the past, we should have an account on file for you that you can recover using your email address and the forgot password option. If you are new to the Nature Center and our programs, you can create a new account.

STEP TWO: Register online. You can register online at the date and time of registration using using the link on our website or the quick links section in your system account.

STEP THREE: Pay through PayPal. Once you submit the online form, you will be redirected to PayPal to complete your payment. If you do not have a PayPal account you can still use the platform to pay with a debit or credit card. Your payment will be incomplete if you navigate away from PayPal before submission. We must receive the payment in order to process your application.

No refunds or credits will be given towards other programs, camps, or events if you cancel your enrollment. In the event you need to cancel, a tax receipt will be issued to you indicating that the program fee was converted to a charitable donation. Membership is non-refundable.