Scout Programs

More than 1000 groups of area school children and scouts come to the Tenafly Nature Center each year. With their boundless curiosity, they touch, observe and listen to the natural world.

This year your scouts can join our professional environmental educators as we introduce them to ecological and biological principals while gaining an appreciation and understanding of the natural world.  Your child will become more familiar with the plants and animals throughout New Jersey and discover how human activities affect the environment.  Afterschool or on a weekend your child can earn an award or badge and have fun during our hands-on environmental education programs.

Most nature related and earth science badges can be completed or started at TNC. The education director can review specific badge/patch requirements with you.

Having a natural experience is another option. Scouts can learn how to make maple syrup, apple cider, review their map and compass skills, or experience the forest in the dark--if you dare!

Schedule and Fee Information
Private classes for organized groups.
Call 201-568-6093 to schedule a trip.
Schedule Early! Spring and Fall time slots fill months in advance, but we're open all year.

To Register:

1. Contact Amanda Schuster 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 students

     • Number of students 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 you receive that you receive from the education director that will include all your group information.

3. Mail payment and signed confirmation back to Amanda Schuster.

Policies:

• You may bring a group of less than 10, but you will be charged for a minimum of 10 students.

• One parent for every 5 scouts may attend for free; all additional chaperones and/or siblings will be charged the same per person fee.

• In order to obtain adequate number of staff, advance notice of additional parents and younger siblings 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 and siblings, may not attend with prior permission.

• Evening program policies:

  • No one under the age of 5 years old may attend.

  • For the evening programs the maximum number of participants is 30 (scouts, parents, and siblings combined)

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).

• It is the duty of the group representative to collect the fee from the participants and we will not accept individual payments from the participants.

• If additional parents or siblings would like to participate in the class, then the same per person fee will need to be paid for with the registration.

Reschedule, Cancel & Refund Information

• If you have fewer students 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 students.

• 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 your 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.

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Trip Rules & Information

Preparation for your visit

• 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 five students who may attend for free.

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

• Maximum group size is 30 children.

• Student discipline is the responsibility of the parents, not the staff of TNC.

For each class, scouts should show up dressed and prepared to be outside for the majority of the class. A naturalist will lead the group through the activity and parents are expected to stay as well as assist the group when necessary.  It is important for parents to come along and be ready to participate and learn with their children. 

Arrival and Departure

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

• 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 their children into the center.

• 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 class with your children.

• Lessons begin and end at the time listed on the confirmation sheet.

Group program rules
The staff at TNC loves questions and we encourage discussions and active participation.  In order for all students 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 class with younger children or babies, please step outside or 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
Under our covered pavilion TNC has several picnic tables available. If you would like to have lunch here discuss it with the Education Director. 

• 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 students).

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