Afterschool Nature Club (Grades K-5)

This fall, join our twice-weekly Afterschool Nature Club and experience the wonders of the season! Through hands-on adventures, outdoor play, and creative projects, kids will explore changing leaves, track animals, study seeds, build shelters, and more. Nature Club, designed for elementary school aged children, fosters curiosity, teamwork, and a deeper connection to the natural world—all while having fun outside. Each fully outdoor session will include free exploration and play, a light afterschool snack, and age-appropriate nature journaling and/or art projects aligning with the week’s theme. Each Nature Club participant will receive a nature explorer kit, including their own nature journal, a magnifying glass, and other exploration tools. The session will conclude with a family celebration to showcase adventurers’ achievements, art projects, and journals.

Register Here

Weekly Themes and Activities

Week 1: Welcome to the Club & Nature Journals

  • Day 1: 

    • Icebreakers, getting to know you

    • 5 Senses Scavenger Hunt to practice observation skills

    • Intro to nature journals

  • Day 2:

    • Free exploration

    • Lead ID walk and observations of colors, shapes, and tree types

    • Leaf rubbings and pressing

Week 2: Seeds and Fall Foraging

  • Day 1: 

    • Free exploration

    • Collect and classify seeds/nuts/pods

    • Discuss how seeds are dispersed (wind, water, animals)

  • Day 2:

    • Free exploration

    • Identify forest foods (for animals and humans)

    • Make foraged snack (dependent on foraged foods available)

Week 3: Water & Wetlands

  • Day 1: 

    • Explore streams with nets and magnifiers

    • Identify water and wetland wildlife

    • Free water play

  • Day 2:

    • “Water cycle in a bag” experiment

    • Water Storytelling: a raindrop’s journey

    • Free exploration 

Week 4: Mini Naturalists: Animal Tracking

  • Day 1: 

    • Free exploration

    • Observe signs of local wildlife (tracks, scat, nests)

    • Record observations in journals (older children), nature collages (younger children)

  • Day 2: 

    • Free exploration

    • Animal storytelling 

    • Create track imprints in clay

Week 5: Birds of Autumn

  • Day 1: 

    • Bird walk

    • Identify local bird species and migration patterns

  • Day 2: 

    • Bird talk forest game

    • Pinecone bird feeders

Week 6: Nature Engineering

  • Day 1:

    • Discuss animal habitats and shelter needs

    • Walk and identify shelters 

    • Build small shelters using found nature objects

  • Day 2:

    • Group challenge: build the tallest stick tower

    • Nature storytelling: who lives in the shelter?

Week 7: Celebration and Stewardship

  • Day 1: 

    • Service project: trail cleanup, bulb planting, etc.

    • Group map of trees and wildlife on Moonshadow Forest Farm

    • Reflect on learning and achievements

  • Day 2:

    • Nature games and family showcase of journals and art

Afterschool Nature Club @ Moonshadow Forest Farm

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:30 PM

October 7 to November 20 (7 weeks)

$350

FAQs

  • We are not able to provide private transportation, but we are working with Germantown and Red Hook School Districts to enable bussing from those schools to Moonshadow Forest Farm. Registered participants will receive the required forms to allow for this alternate drop off location. All participants will need approved guardians to pick them up from Moonshadow Forest Farm at 5:30pm.

  • Leigh Scott, owner of Moonshadow Forest Farm, trained parenting expert, and Child’Space practitioner, and Lauren Emerson, founder of Hudson Valley Adventure Club, are thrilled to be partnering to lead the Nature Club. We are also excited to bring in local friends and ecology experts to provide their expertise for relevant sessions.

  • Nature Club is a fully outdoor program, and we expect to get messy! We believe that part of learning to enjoy all seasons of nature is having comfortable clothing and layers to handle all of the elements. We will provide a suggested list of gear such as rain jackets or suits, boots, etc. At minimum, all participants should provide a full change of clothes that we will keep on site in case things get messy. Equipment to participate in activities will be provided.

  • Of course. We ask all participants about allergies prior to participation. For severe allergies, we will ensure they are not present to avoid any cross contamination.

  • Yes! We will have an open house for children and families September 14. We encourage all participants to join us to ensure the transition to Nature Club is as smooth for participants as possible. If you are unable to join for the open house, we will ensure to find a time that works prior to the start in October.

  • Since this is our first-ever session of Afterschool Nature Club, we are limiting participation to a maximum of 8 children to ensure age appropriate, individualized attention. Siblings are welcome and encouraged to attend together, provided there are spots available.

  • Given this is a home address, we will provide the exact address upon registration, but the general location is in Livingston, NY, at the border of Germantown and Red Hook School Districts off of Maple Lane.