NCNC After School Program

Winter 2024 Session

January 2nd – April 12th
3:30pm – 5:45pm

Registration: ONGOING!

This winter, your child will:

  • Make REAL maple syrup!
    • From tapping a tree to collecting sap, and from boiling down to sampling the finished delicious product
  • Become a nature detective
    • Identify tracks, trails, and signs in the snow and mud
  • Meet live animals from the NCNC animal ambassador collection

Spring 2024 Session

April 22nd – June 7th
3:30pm – 5:45pm

Registration: Opens February 12th

This spring, your child will: 

  • Study signs of spring
    • Visit our vernal pools and ponds to learn what lives there
    • Setup our wildlife cameras
    • Search for baby animals in our forests & fields
  • Identify birds that are migrating back to Connecticut after the long winter
  • Meet live animals from the NCNC animal ambassador collection

General Information

Join us to explore the forests, fields, and ponds of the New Canaan Nature Center during our new after school program! Create hypotheses, conduct experiments, and get ready for some awesome hands-on collaborative learning. Delve into fun and engaging weekly themes while exploring our natural world.

For students in grades K-2 during the 2023-2024 school year.

Program Includes:

  • Bus transportation to NCNC from the 3 NCPS Elementary Schools
  • Snack time
  • Outdoor free play (whenever possible)
  • Sustainable nature STEAM activities
  • Homework/quiet indoor time

Nature STEAM Activity:

All New Canaan Nature Center After School participants will enjoy a daily 30-60 minute nature STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) activity.

Indoor Quiet Time:

Monday through Friday, a quiet time is set aside for all children to do homework. We provide staff assistance and guidance when needed, but are not responsible for your child’s education, completion of assignments, or understanding of their subject matter. We encourage children to engage in other quiet activities such as reading, nature crafts, and puzzles, should no homework be assigned.

Additional Session Dates

The NCNC After School Program is offered in three sessions throughout the school year: fall, winter, and spring.

Ongoing: Winter 2024 (January 2nd – April 12th)
Coming Soon: Spring 2024 (April 22nd – June 7th)
Fall 2024 (TBD: Likely August 29th – December 19th)

*Please see our Handbook (available below) for information regarding Early Dismissal Days, School Closings, and School Vacation Days.

Registration Details

Registration for Winter & Spring 2024:

  • A non-refundable $250 deposit is required for registration.
  • Availability is first come, first served with priority given to current New Canaan Nature Center After School Program participant families.
  • All required registration forms will now be accessible via the brightwheel app.

Pricing: Stay Longer, Save More! 

5 days/week: $150/week
4 days/week: $140/week
3 days/week: $120/week
2 days/week: $90/week

Add-on Days:
For currently enrolled students only. Please contact the Director of Environmental Education at least one week in advance to see if we can accommodate your needs. If space is available, the additional fee is $50 per day. The swapping of days is not allowed.

Revision of Enrollment Days:
To revise your enrollment dates please contact the Director of Environmental Education at least 2 weeks in advance to see if we can accommodate your needs.

To register today, please contact Michelle Hips

Director of Environmental Education