School's Out Workshops WINTER/SPRING 2026
Description
When school is closed for a day or a week, our workshops and vacation camps offer time outside and endless possibilities for adventure. * Workshops and vacation camps are for children ages 3.5 through 10 years old, unless noted otherwise.
Children should bring lunch and dress for the weather, this is an outdoor program. For guidance about how to layer up, check out our Gear Guide for Outdoor Fun. Online pre-registration required. * $95/child per day. Registration is available by the day.
No credits, refunds, or make up classes will be given for missed days.
Registration generally opens 2-4 weeks before program dates.
If a workshop is full, please add yourself to the waitlist.
Registration for January 2 is open and filling fast! If no space is available, please add yourself to the waitlist and we will contact you if a spot opens.
Winter Greens
Friday, January 2, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
While most of the forest sleeps, we'll uncover how green things grow: even in the coldest months! We'll wander towards the high point in search of greenery and uncover which mosses and winter buds are hiding in plain sight.
Registration for February 17-20 opens at 10am on Tuesday, January 20.
Maple Sugaring
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Tap a tree the old-fashioned way! Learn how maple trees produce sap and get a peek at the sugaring process in the Rye Nature Center’s Sugar Shed.
Winter Birds
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Do all birds fly south for the winter? Learn about the birds who stay in Rye during these snowy months. As they create some yummy treats for our feathered friends, children will learn to identify chickadees, woodpeckers, and titmice. Tracks in the Snow
Thursday, February 19, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The snowy landscape provides us with a glimpse into the lives and movements of our winter animals. Children will learn the tracks of local animals to find out how they’ve been spending their days.
The Power of Ice
Friday, February 20, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ice has tremendous power to change and preserve the surface of the Earth. Children will learn how Rye was impacted by the Ice Age and investigate the properties of water when it freezes.
Registration for March 30-April 3 opens at 10am on Tuesday, March 3.
Rise and Shine
Monday, March 30, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
As the days are getting longer and the sun is getting stronger, flora and fauna are both ready to show themselves. Children will go on a massive scavenger hunt in search of buds, bulbs, and bustling bird nests.
Pollination Nation
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Join us as we learn about local pollinators including honeybees, butterflies, bats, hummingbirds, and moths. Discover how each of these animals pollinates different flowers depending on the time of day they fly.
Where Does the Rain Come From?
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
We all know, “April showers bring May flowers.” Learn how our local watershed and Blind Brook is connected to the water cycle and what happens to rain after it hits the ground. We will explore our on-site streams and ponds and even create a raincloud in a jar.
Scales and Long Tails
We will learn about two fascinating groups of animals: reptiles and amphibians. What are the differences between them and what are some of their amazing adaptations? We will look for local animals including eastern box turtles and spring peepers and get to know our very own Rye Nature Center reptiles!
Mammals Rule
Friday, April 3, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
When an asteroid ended the reign of the dinosaurs, it ushered in the age of the mammals. Join us as we learn more about this diverse group of animals and what makes them successful in different environments.
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.