Junior Naturalists (Ages 6–10) 6-Week Program

Junior Naturalists is a fully outdoor 6-week outdoor exploration program for children ages 6–10. Each child attends with a parent or caregiver to learn how to identify the birds, trees, woodland plants, insects, and signs of wildlife found at West Hills County Park.

By the end of the program, children will recognize common species and wildlife signs, giving them the confidence to identify what they see on future hikes, park visits, and camping trips.

During the program, Junior Naturalists will learn to:

• Identify common trees, birds, woodland plants, and insects found at their local park.

• Recognize poison ivy and confidently distinguish it from common look-alikes.

• Search for wildlife clues including tracks, feathers, nests, burrows, chewed acorns, galls, and other signs animals leave behind.

• Use binoculars and magnifying lenses to observe nature more closely.

• Ask questions, make observations, and record discoveries in a personalized field guide.

Every Class Includes:

Investigation Table: each class begins with a collection of woodland clues. Children work together to observe the evidence, identify patterns, and uncover the week's topic.

Field Lesson: learn how to identify the week's topic before heading onto the trail to find it in its natural habitat.

Guided Field Mission: Hike the trail, completing a different mission each week while identifying species, searching for wildlife clues, and applying what they learned.

Discovery Lab: Examine our discoveries and compare observations.

Build Junior Naturalist Field Guide: Every child receives a personalized field guide binder. New educational pages are added each week, creating a reference guide they can continue using after the program ends.

Included with Registration:

• Personalized Junior Naturalist Field Guide Binder

• Weekly educational field guide pages

• Magnifying lens and binoculars

• Junior Naturalist Certificate

Program Details:

Ages: 6–10 (with an adult)

Time: Thursdays 5:00–6:00 PM

Dates: 
September 3, 10, 17, 24
October 1, 8

Location:
West Hills County Park, Huntington, NY
Park admission is free.

Completed registration required prior to program: Registration

Attendance & Weather Policy:

Junior Naturalists is held in light rain and changing weather conditions, giving children the opportunity to observe the forest in different weather. Please dress for the conditions.

If a class must be canceled due to dangerous weather (such as thunderstorms, high winds, or other unsafe conditions), it will be rescheduled to October 15.

Because class size is limited and park permits are purchased in advance, registrations are non-refundable.