Bring your troop for a hands-on, nature-filled experience that’s fun, educational, and memorable. Use this page to learn how to register, understand program policies, and prepare for a successful visit with your scouts.
How to Book a Field Trip or TNC to Go?
1. Choose Your Programs
- Review the Field Trip or TNC to Go program options page.
- Complete the interest form.
- Review the Field Trip & TNC to Go Policies below: Familiarize yourself with our policies, your responsibilities, and what TNC provides for your program and reservation.
- Wait for a TNC Staff member to reach out to you to verify availability.
2. Complete Date Reservation & Payment
- A 25% non-refundable deposit is due at booking to hold your date & time and applies toward your total fee.
- Once you receive the confirmation & invoice form, review and sign it, and email it or mail it back to the attention of the Education Team.
- Submit remaining balance* by the due date listed on your confirmation & invoice form.
3. Additional Details
- Teachers and aides attend free of charge.
- Children group programs require one supervising adult/teacher per class and one adult chaperone per five students who may attend for free.
- In order to obtain adequate staff, advance notice of additional participants 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.
- The group representative is responsible for collecting and submitting all payments (individual payments not accepted).
- If your funds are limited, please consider applying for a TNC scholarship (we strive to make nature accessible to everyone).
Accessibility at TNC
Many of the programs Tenafly Nature Center offers can be altered to meet the needs of participants with disabilities or those who require accommodations. We ask that you provide pertinent information about any disabilities and/or required accommodations within a minimum of two weeks’ prior to the program. This helps us provide a quality program experience for all participants.
Reschedule, Cancellation & Refund Policies for Field Trips and TNC to Go Programs
We encourage participants to consider converting refunds into a donation to help support TNC’s mission of nature education and conservation.
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Outdoor Programs – Rain or Shine
Programs are held outdoors. In case of rain, activities move under the pavilion with covered panels. During extreme weather or unsafe temperatures, the Education Team will determine alternative arrangements.
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Rescheduling
Deposits may be transferred to the next available date, which may fall in a later season or school year depending on availability.
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Payment Options
- Payments may be made by cash, check (payable to Tenafly Nature Center), purchase order, or securely online by credit card.
- A 2.3% processing fee applies to credit card transactions; cash or check payments are fee-free.
- Help maximize the impact of your purchase by covering transaction and credit card fees, simply select the checkbox during registration to add the fee and ensure 100% supports TNC.
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Cancellations & Fees
- All cancellations are subject to a $50 processing fee.
- Deposits are non-refundable.
- Remaining balances (excluding deposit and fee) are refunded as follows:
- 30+ days’ notice: 100% refund
- 15–30 days’ notice: 50% refund
- Less than 14 days’ notice: No refund
- Business days are Monday–Friday; weekends and holidays are not included.
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Program & Reservations Changes by TNC
TNC may cancel programs & reservations due to weather or emergencies. When possible, programs will be rescheduled; otherwise, a refund (excluding deposit) will be issued.
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Facility Use
A minimum $50 fee may be charged for damages or trash left behind. You will be notified by phone if an invoice is created.
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Registration Accuracy
Refund and cancellation policies apply if group size or participant age differs significantly from the original registration without prior notice.
Other Policies
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TNC reserves the right to terminate or deny programs and reservations without refund for non-compliance with policies, safety concerns, interference with operations, and inappropriate behavior.
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Refund policies vary for Camps, Seasonal Programs, Gifted & Talented, Homeschool, Professional Development, Scouts, Birthday Parties, Facility Rentals, and Special Events. Please refer to those program pages for specific details.
Preparation for Your Visit
Notify TNC at least 48 hours in advance of any disabilities or required accommodations.
Divide groups before arrival:
Pre-K & Kindergarten: up to 25 students (or one class)
Grades 1–12: up to 30 students (or one class)
Each group must have one group leader and one adult chaperone per five students.
Additional adults may attend only with prior written permission from TNC.
Notify TNC of any changes in student or adult numbers before your visit.
What to Wear
Programs are mostly outdoors and vary seasonally, dress for the weather.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots and bring rain gear (no umbrellas).
TNC’s forested, elevated setting can be cooler, layer accordingly.
Apply insect repellent before arrival, and do not spray repellent on-site.
Arrival & Departure
Review our Contact & Directions page before traveling.
Upon arrival, a TNC Environmental Educator will greet your group in the parking lot.
Unload only under staff direction. Parking in the cul-de-sac is prohibited unless directed by TNC staff.
If you arrive early, you may explore the trails until your program begins.
Programs start and end at the times listed on your confirmation; late arrivals will not extend program time.
Allow time for traffic, restroom breaks, loading, and unloading when scheduling transportation.
During Your Program
One Environmental Educator leads each group (max 25–30 students, depending on age).
Please keep cell phones on silent or vibrate during programs.
Teachers and chaperones must stay with the group and assist as needed.
Behavior management is the responsibility of attending adults.
Animal encounters are not guaranteed and may be substituted for animal welfare reasons.
Animal handling and activities vary based on animal health and behavior.
Picnic Areas
Picnic areas are available by advance request at no additional cost.
TNC does not provide food or refrigeration.
Follow Leave No Trace principles and bring a bag for trash and take it with you.
Recycle glass, metals, and plastics (#1, #2 and #5) in designated bins.
Do not place food waste or supplies in outdoor trash cans.
In case of inclement weather, picnic times may be moved indoors.
Group Expectations
Notify TNC in advance of any special needs or changes to your reservation.
Arrive on time and contact TNC if delayed.
Attend with only the registered number of participants.
Group leaders are responsible for behavior and discipline.
Treat staff, animals, and equipment respectfully.
Cancel at least 48 hours in advance, if necessary.
Preparation for TNC to Go Programs
Notify TNC at least 48 hours in advance of any disabilities or accommodations.
Provide one parking space near the entrance for our educator’s vehicle (garage fees apply if parking is unavailable).
Provide one table for the educator’s use.
Each class must have one group leader present throughout the program.
Notify TNC of additional participants ahead of time—numbers are limited to the original registration.
During Your Program
Programs begin and end as scheduled; please be ready at the confirmed time.
One Environmental Educator is assigned per group or assembly.
Consecutive programs (for multiple classes) must be scheduled with no more than 30 minutes between sessions.
Keep cell phones on silent during presentations.
Group leaders and chaperones are expected to remain with the group and assist as needed.
Attending adults are responsible for student discipline.
Animal encounters are not guaranteed and may vary for animal health reasons.
Group Expectations
Notify TNC in advance of any special needs or schedule changes.
Provide parking and table space for the educator.
Attend with only the registered number of participants.
Treat staff and materials respectfully.
Cancel at least 48 hours in advance, if necessary.