Afterschool Club Registration 2024-2025 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.

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

FOREST EXPLORERS
Grades K-2 | Tuesdays 3:15 - 4:45 p.m.

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!

Fall Session ($365)
Sept 17, 24
Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Nov 12, 19, 26

Winter Session ($365)
December 3, 10, 17
January 7, 14, 21, 28
February 4, 11, 25

Spring Session ($440)
March 4, 11, 18, 25
April 1, 8, 22, 29
May 6, 13, 20, 27

WILDERNESS ENCOUNTERS
Grades 3-5 | Thursdays 3:15 - 4:45 p.m.

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.

Fall Session ($330)
Sept 19, 26
Oct 10, 17, 24, 31
Nov 7, 14, 21

Winter Session ($365)
December 5, 12, 19
January 9, 16, 23, 30
February 6, 13, 27

Spring Session ($440)
March 6, 13, 20, 27
April 3, 10, 24
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

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.