• October 2021 After-School Classes

    After-School Program

    Come join Nature Marc at the Closter Nature Center for some outdoor science fun! 

    We will be adhering to CDC guidelines. Masks required. 

    Please dress for the weather, as we will be outside for most of the sessions. 

    We will move into the cabin for severe weather.

    $100/session for Members - $120/session for Non-members

    All classes are 3:45pm-5:00pm

    Mondays 1st-3rd Grades 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th 

    Tuesdays Kindergarten  5th, 12th, 19th and 26th

    Wednesdays 1st-3rd Grades  6th, 13th, 20th and 27th  

    Thursdays 4th-6th Grades  7th, 14th, 21st and 28th

     

    Registration

    To register please go to: https://register.communitypass.net/Closter, and you will be taken to Community Pass, our online registration and payment system.

    If you have any questions please call our Naturalist, Marc Gussen at (201) 750-2778.


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  • Nature Fun for Little Ones

    Mrs. Wonderwhy's Nature Fun for Little Ones

    "SWISHY FISH, BUZZY BUGS, TWEETY BIRDS and TREES to HUG!"

    Introduction to the wild animals and plants and trees of the Closter Nature Center including outdoor exploration, games and crafts.

    Enrollment is for two one-hour classes:

    Toddlers (ages 2 & 3) Fridays, September 17th and 24th 11:00 AM - 12 PM
    Preschoolers (ages 3 & 4) Fridays, September 17th and 24th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

    Cost is $40 for Members, $50 for Non-Members

    *Classes are held outdoors.*

    Please understand that this is not a drop-off program, and adult caregivers will be asked to join in on the fun while helping Mrs. Wonderwhy (aka long-time preschool instructor Maria Costa) keep children safe. All participants must abide by changing Covid-19 CDC guidelines.

     

    Registration

    To register please go to: https://register.communitypass.net/Closter, and you will be taken to Community Pass, our online registration and payment system.

    If you have any questions, please email admin@closternaturecenter.org. 

     


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  • September 2021 After-School Classes

    After-School Classes

    Come join Nature Marc at the Closter Nature Center for some outdoor science fun!
    We will be adhering to CDC standards. Masks required.
    Please dress for the weather, as we will be outside for the entire program.
    To register please go to: https://register.communitypass.net/Closterand you will be taken to Community Pass, our online registration and payment system.
     If you have any questions please call Naturalist Marc Gussen at (201) 750-2778.

    Price: $75/session for Members - $90/session Non-members

    TIME: 3:45-5:00PM

    ALL SESSIONS WILL MEET OUTSIDE THE LOG CABIN

    MONDAYS 1st - 3rd Grades 13th, 20th and 27th

    TUESDAYS Kindergarten 14th, 21st and 28th

    WEDNESDAYS 1st - 3rd Grades 15th, 22nd and 29th

    THURSDAYS 4th-6th Grades 16th, 23rd and 30th


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  • Drawing at the Pond

    Drawing at the Pond

    60 minute art classes taught at the Nature Center

    Objectives:

    To give students a better toolbox to appreciate and illustrate the natural world around us.

    For example, the class may walk around the pond, taking note of animals, plants, and the various textures of the items we find. Conversation may focus on shapes and terms such as “symmetry” and “asymmetry” and what makes a healthy pond. Following the walk, students may draw their own ponds applying what was learned and talked about.

    Enrollment is for three one-hour classes

    Students grades 6th-8th

    Wednesdays, September 15th, 22nd and 29th 4:15pm-5:15pm

    Cost is $60 for Members, $75 for Non-Members

    Pencils and sketch books will be provided.

    *Classes will meet on the porch of the Log Cabin and will be held outdoors.*

    Instructor Francesca Costa works as a Historic Site Assistant at the Palisades Interstate Park and is also a member of the Closter Nature Center Board of Trustees. Francesca studied Studio Art at Gettysburg College and is excited to teach drawing in such a natural setting.

    All participants must abide by changing Covid-19 CDC guidelines.

     

    Registration

    To register please go to: https://register.communitypass.net/Closter, and you will be taken to Community Pass, our online registration and payment system.

    If you have any questions, please email admin@closternaturecenter.org. 

     


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  • June 2021 After-School Classes

    June After-School Program

    Come join Nature Marc at the Closter Nature Center for some outdoor science fun! Our afternoon programs are designed to accent our local school system's half-days and online curricula. We will be adhering to most recent CDC standards -- masks required for children.

    Please dress for the weather, as we will be outside for the entire program.

    To register please go to: https://register.communitypass.net/Closter, and you will be taken to Community Pass, our online registration and payment system.

    If you have any questions please call Marc at (201) 750-2778.

    $50/session for Members - $60/session Non-members

              Mondays,  June 7th and 14th 

    4th - 6th Gr. 3:00 - 4:15pm                      

     1st - 3rd Gr. 4:30 - 5:45pm  

     Tuesdays,  June 8th, and 15th

     1st - 3rd Gr. 3:00 - 4:15pm

    Kindergarten 4:30 - 5:45pm

       Wednesdays,  June 9th, and 16th

    4th - 6th Gr. 3:00 - 4:15pm

    1st - 3rd 4:30 - 5:45pm  

     Thursdays, June 10th, and 17th

    Kindergarten 3:00 - 4:15pm

    1st- 3rd Gr. 4:30 - 5:45pm

    Registration

    To register please go to: https://register.communitypass.net/Closter, and you will be taken to Community Pass, our online registration and payment system.

    If you have any questions please call Naturalist Marc Gussen at (201) 750-2778 or email admin@closternaturecenter.org. 

     


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  • June 2021 Pre-School Program

    Mrs. Wonderwhy's Nature Fun for Little Ones

    June Classes! Mrs. Wonderwhy’s Nature Fun for Little Ones presents, “Nature Science Theater”

    Puppets and Costumes and Science...Oh My!!

    For our spring preschool program finale, we’re donning our hand-made animal costumes and role-playing our way to Environmental Awareness at The Closter Nature Center. All the worlds a stage and nature-themed games, experiments and exploration are sure to earn a standing ovation from children and caregivers alike!

    Enrollment is for two one-hour classes:

    Toddlers (ages 2 & 3) Fridays, June 4th and 11th 11:00 AM - 12 PM
    Preschoolers (ages 3 & 4) Fridays, June 4th and 11th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

              Cost is $40 for Members, $50 for Non-Members

          *Classes are held outdoors.*

          Rain date: June 18th for both groups. 

    Please understand that this is not a drop-off program, and adult caregivers will be asked to join in on the fun while helping Mrs. Wonderwhy (aka long-time preschool instructor Maria Costa) keep children safe. All participants must abide by changing Covid-19 CDC guidelines.

     

    Registration

    To register please go to: https://register.communitypass.net/Closter, and you will be taken to Community Pass, our online registration and payment system.

    If you have any questions, please email admin@closternaturecenter.org. 

     


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  • Invasives Removal Project

    Volunteers Needed for Special Invasives Removal Project on April 25th

    One multiflora rose plant may produce half million seeds each year. Photo courtesy of IPANE.

    The Closter Nature Center is planning another invasives removal project on Sunday, April 25th beginning at 1pm.  This one will be a targeted removal of invasives within one of the three fenced areas where we are attempting to regrow native plants that have been heavily browsed by deer.  We are coming to the end of our second year of protecting these areas from deer depredation.  We wish to encourage fresh growth by targeting some of the most intensive growths of invasives inside the fencing.  The targeted areas the volunteers will clear will be observed for a growing season to evaluate how effective our removal methods are.

    Join Marc Gussen, naturalist, and Emmy Wang, researcher, for this very important attempt, using the seed bank that remains within the soil, to renew the once common native plants that inhabited our preserve.  Emmy has done an intensive study of the plants within the Nature Center's borders and has completed a comprehensive map that details the primary locations of the various invasive species.  She has earmarked critical areas on which the volunteers will focus.  Those interested in participating should bring work gloves and rain boots or work shoes are recommended.  Bring pruning tools if you have them, although a limited number of pruners, shovels and other tools will be available at the Nature Center.  If you are interested in joining us again for this new project, please contact Emmy at emmyinus@gmail.com as soon as possible so we can better prepare for this effort.   Since this effort will take place in off-trail areas, please try to arrive at 1 p.m.

    WHEN: Sunday, April 25th at 1:00 PM

    WHERE: Log Cabin by the Pond

    Note: Participants must be at least 12 years of age to participate with an adult.

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  • May 2021 Pre-School Program

    Mrs. Wonderwhy's Nature Fun for Little Ones

    Toddlers and Preschoolers and their caregivers are invited to join Mrs. Wonderwhy for fun and educational outdoor adventures! In our newest adventure, we’ll become Junior Nature Detectives and explore the woods using our amazing five senses! Together, we’ll make our own “binoculars” to help us search for and collect treasures from the forest floor to investigate closer, listen for animals, smell native plants and more!

    Sign-up is for three one-hour Friday sessions.

    Toddlers (ages 2 & 3) Fridays, May 7th, 14th, & 21st 11:00 AM - 12 PM
    Preschoolers (ages 3 & 4) Fridays, May 7th, 14th, & 21st 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

              Cost is $60 for Members, $75 for Non-Members

          Classes are held outdoors. Rain date: May 28th for both groups. 

    Please understand that this is not a drop-off program, and adult caregivers will be asked to join in on the fun while helping Mrs. Wonderwhy (aka long-time preschool instructor Maria Costa) keep children safe. All participants must abide by Covid-19 CDC guidelines which currently include masks for all participants over the age of 2 1/2.

     

    Registration

    To register please go to: https://register.communitypass.net/Closter, and you will be taken to Community Pass, our online registration and payment system.

    If you have any questions, please email admin@closternaturecenter.org. 

     


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  • May 2021 After-School Classes

    May After School Program

    Come join Nature Marc at the Closter Nature Center for some outdoor science fun! Our afternoon programs are designed to accent school system's half-days and online curricula. We will be keeping our class sizes small and will be adhering to CDC standards. 

    Masks required. Please dress for the weather, as we will be outside for the entire program.

    Cost:  $100/session for Members - $120/session Non-members                              

    SESSIONS 

    Mondays, 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th

    1st - 3rd Gr. 2:00 - 3:15pm

    4th - 6th Gr. 3:45 - 5:00pm  

     Tuesdays,  4th, 11th, 18th and 25th

     1st - 3rd Gr. 2:00 - 3:15pm

     Kindergarten 3:45 - 5:00pm

     Wednesdays,  5th, 12th, 19th and 26th

     4th - 6th Gr. 2:00 - 3:15pm

    1st - 3rd 3:45 - 5:00pm  

     Thursdays,  6th, 13th, 20th and 27th

    Kindergarten 2:00 - 3:15pm

    1st- 3rd Gr. 3:45 - 5:00pm

    Registration

    To register please go to: https://register.communitypass.net/Closter, and you will be taken to Community Pass, our online registration and payment system.

    If you have any questions please call Naturalist Marc Gussen at (201) 750-2778 or email admin@closternaturecenter.org. 

     


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  • Spring Break Science Program

    Spring Break Science Program

    Need something fun and educational for the kids to do during the Spring break? We’ll have four days of nature exploration and discovery here at the Closter Nature Center! It is imperative that the kids dress properly for the weather, as we will be outside for the full program. Be sure your child is wearing layers, if it is a warmer day, layers and warm boots if it is cold, or layers and full rain gear if it is raining. We are keeping our class size to a maximum of 10 kids, and of course, mask wearing is mandatory. If severe weather is predicted, we may need to reschedule or cancel a class.

    1st-7th grades: $100/week for members, $120/week for non-members 

    Kindergarten: $80/week for members, $100/week for non-members. 

    Monday April 12th - Thursday April 15th

    9:00 am - 10:30 am 1st - 3rd grade

    11:00 am - 12:30 pm 4th - 7th grade

    1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Kindergarten

    3:00 pm - 4:30 pm 1st - 3rd grade

    To register please go to: https://register.communitypass.net/Closter, and you will be taken to Community Pass, our online registration and payment system.

    If you have any questions please call Naturalist Marc Gussen at (201) 750-2778 or email admin@closternaturecenter.org.

     

    COMMUNITY PASS SIGNUP — CLICK “SIGN UP ONLINE” BUTTON BELOW


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  • April 2021 Pre-School Program

    Mrs. Wonderwhy's Nature Fun for Little Ones

    Toddlers and Preschoolers and their caregivers are invited to join Mrs. Wonderwhy for fun and educational outdoor adventures! Sweet introductions to the indigenous wildlife of our area is the theme for April, including lots of visuals, hands-on exploration, stories, games, nature walks, craft projects, songs and silly dances. Sign-up is for three one-hour Friday sessions.

    Toddlers (ages 2 & 3) Fridays, April 9th, 16th, & 23rd 11:00 AM - 12 PM
    Preschoolers (ages 3 & 4) Fridays, April 9th, 16th & 23rd 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

    Cost is $60 for Members, $75 for Non-Members

    Activites will include: "Scaly Swimmers n' Furry Friends,”, "Wings in Spring" (birds and bugs), and "Turtle Tales and Froggy Games” which covers the six major animal classes found at our beautiful Nature Center.

    Please understand that this is not a drop-off program, and adult caregivers will be asked to join in on the fun while helping Mrs. Wonderwhy (aka long-time preschool instructor Maria Costa) keep children safe. All participants must abide by Covid-19 CDC guidelines which currently include masks for all participants over the age of 2 1/2.

     

    Registration

    To register please go to: https://register.communitypass.net/Closter, and you will be taken to Community Pass, our online registration and payment system.

    If you have any questions, please email admin@closternaturecenter.org. 

     


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