Bring your group 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 and home school students.
How to Book a Scout and Home School Field Trip or TNC to Go?
1. Choose Your Programs
- Review the Scout BSA programs or Girl Scout programs, Scout Events or Home School programs page.
- Complete the interest form.
- Review the Scout and Home School Program 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 non-refundable deposit is due at booking to hold your date & time and applies toward your total fee. The deposit covers up to 10 scouts/students; smaller groups are still subject to the full deposit.
- 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.
- Additional scouts/students are charged a per-person fee based on program length.
- Submit remaining balance* by the due date listed on your confirmation & invoice form.
3. Additional Details
- Leaders attend free; one parent per five scouts/students attends free, additional parents and siblings are charged a per-person fee.
- 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 Scout and Home School 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, Field Trips & TNC to Go Programs, Birthday Parties, Facility Rentals, and Special Events. Please refer to those program pages for specific details.
Preparation for Scout and Home School Visits
Programs are primarily outdoors, drizzle or shine. Dress appropriately for the weather.
Wear sturdy shoes or boots; bring rain gear as needed.
Apply insect repellent at home. Please do not spray in the parking lot.
No participants under age five.
Arrival & Departure
Visit our Contact & Directions page for location details.
If the lot is full, park on Hudson Avenue and walk in. Parking is not permitted in the cul-de-sac.
Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled program time.
Programs will end no later than the time listed on the confirmation form.
Groups are greeted at the red Visitor’s Center by an Environmental Educator.
Early arrivals may explore trails or check in at the red Visitor’s Center.
During Your Program
Supervising adults are responsible for participant behavior; TNC staff do not supervise children.
Group leaders and attending adults must stay with and assist the group.
All participants must follow Nature Preserve rules and posted guidelines.
TNC follows Leave No Trace principles. Please bring a trash bag if eating on-site and be prepared to take your garbage with you.
Participant Behavior & Supervision
Parental Responsibility: Parents are responsible for their children’s behavior; TNC staff do not supervise.
Supervising Adults: Maximum 10 adults per program; suggested ratio 1 adult per 5 children (ages 5+).
- Cell Phone Etiquette: Phones should be silenced; calls taken away from the group.
Non-Participating Adults: May enjoy the trails or use designated areas for refreshments or conversation.
Additional Guidelines
Siblings & Guests: Children not in the program must be accompanied by an adult away from the group.
- Nature Center Etiquette: TNC is a nature preserve. Please follow trail rules and posted information to ensure safety.
Responsibility: Group representatives are accountable for guest behavior and any property damage.
Gratuity: Tips for educators are greatly appreciated!