Birthday Parties

Children enjoy an exciting and educational birthday party for their special day!

A one-hour program is lead by one of our environmental educators for your party at the nature center. After the program you and your guests will have one half-hour to enjoy your refreshments outside in our Education Pavilion. Surrounded by the sights and sounds of the nature center your child's special day will be one of exploration, learning, and fun.

Scheduling and Fee Information
Call 201-568-6093 to schedule a party.
Schedule Early! Spring and Fall time slots fill months in advance, but we're open all year.

To Register:

1. Contact the Education Director at (201) 568-6093 or email her a program request form by clicking here she will contact you as soon as possible.

   • Your message should include:

     • Your name

     • The mailing address

     • Phone number

     • Age of birthday child

     • Number of children per group

     • Name of the program

     • Requested date (for faster scheduling have several date options)

     • Requested time for program's (for faster scheduling have several time options)

2. Sign the confirmation form that you receive from the education director that will include all your group information.

3. Mail payment and signed confirmation back to the education director.

Policies:

• After the one-hour program, you will have 30 minutes to serve refreshments, and 15 minutes to clean up.

• Parties with more than 20 children will be charged $5.00-$15.00 per additional student (depending on the program).

• We make every effort to keep groups small, to optimize individual students’ participation. A maximum of 30 children can be accommodated at TNC at one time.

• Advance notice of additional children is required.

• We reserve the right to limit the number of non-registered participants on the trail to the number originally registered on the confirmation form.

• Additional parents, may not attend with prior permission from the education director.

Pre-payment Policies:

• Pre-payment is required for all programs.

• Programs scheduled with less than two weeks notice will require pre payment three days prior to the program.

• Payment can be made by your group representative by check, cash, or money order (credit cards not accepted).

Reschedule, Cancel & Refund Information

• If you have fewer children attend than what you had originally reserved and paid for, you are still required to pay the full amount agreed upon at the time of registration. Refunds will not be given for less than the original contracted amount of children.
• We reserve the right to cancel a scheduled activity if actual group size and age levels differ substantially from the reservation without notification.
• TNC programs are mostly taught outdoors and are held drizzle or shine.  However, in the event of heavy rain or dangerous temperatures, an alternate indoor  program may be substituted.  If you group must reschedule, you will be responsible for a $50 rescheduling fee.

• If your group must cancel, refunds are based on how far in advance cancellation is from schedule date.

• Membership is considered a donation and is not refundable.

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Rules & Information

Preparation for your visit

• Our primary Birthday location is in our covered pavilion which has retractable canvas sides and a fireplace. During inclement weather it is possible to move the party inside in our visitor center.

• Programs run drizzle or shine. If outdoor conditions are unsuitable or dangerous, a suitable indoor program relating to the scheduled topic or any topic can be substituted.

• Most programs are held outdoors. Participants should dress appropriately for weather!

• Participants should wear sturdy shoes or boots and rain gear when applicable.

• Programs require one parent per group and one adult chaperone per ten students who may attend for free.

• The same per person fee applies to additional parents and siblings who wish to attend the program.

• Maximum group size is 30 children. Any size over 20 must be discussed with Education Director ahead of time.

• Smaller groups will make your child’s program more meaningful (we suggest limiting invitations to your child’s age plus two).

• Invitations are available on-line for you to print and distribute to your guests (PDF Format).

Arrival and Departure

• Directions are available online and will also be mailed with the confirmation.

• Programs begin and end at the time listed on the confirmation sheet. This includes set up and cleanup.

• It is unsafe to unload or park in the cul-de-sac. You may pull into the nature center parking lot and load and unload in the Parking Area.

• If parking lot is full parents may park on Hudson Avenue and walk into the center.

• We encourage parents to drop off their children for the party.
• Check in with the front desk and they will let you know where to meet your educator.

• You are welcome to walk on the trails, explore the museum room or browse our library before and after your program with your children.

Supervision

• Participant behavior is the responsibility of the parents, not the staff of TNC. Please provide adequate supervision and control throughout the party.

• Group representatives assume full responsibility for the behavior of all their guests and any damages to the property.

• Non-supervising parents who stay are asked to enjoy refreshments in the pavilion or conference room while the children are with the educator.

Decorations

• You may decorate your rented space as you see fit, however it must be left in the same condition as it is found.

• No noisemakers, balloons, piñatas, or anything that explodes.

Group program rules
The staff at TNC loves questions and we encourage discussions and active participation.  In order for all children to have an optimal learning environment and positive experience we must enforce a few simple rules.

• Please raise your hand when you want to speak
• Respect others. While the naturalist, trail guide or fellow student is speaking, please remain quiet
• Don’t pick, disturb, collect, or take natural mementos home
• Stay on the trails
• For parents that stay for the program with younger children or babies, please step outside of the learning area if he/she begins to cry, makes noise, or becomes disruptive

• No bikes or strollers beyond the parking area.

• No smoking or lighting fires
• No littering
• No pets leashed, carried, or otherwise

Food and use of Picnic Area at TNC

• For an additional $50 you can add a campfire after your program and TNC will provide materials to make S'mores (marshmallows, graham crackers, & chocolate bars)

• TNC does not supply any other food (i.e. cake, pizza, etc.) therefore this may be brought in or delivered

• TNC does not have a freezer or a refrigerator available

  Tenafly Nature Center is a “carry-in, carry-out” center. Lunch/snack trash removal is your responsibility. Bring a trash bag for your garbage and take it with you when you leave

• Do not place any food, plates, cups etc. in the trash cans outside

• No drink boxes (the straw wrappers tend to escape from children).

• For an additional $25 you can rent our  plastic plates, cups, and steel forks (we wash)

Resources for Parents and Children TNC’s Library is filled with professional development resources, natural history and reference books and videos for everyone.

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