Schiff's Summer Nature Program
Schiff Nature Center / Schiff Natural Lands Trust, 339 Schiff Dr, Mendham Township, NJ 7945
About
The Schiff Summer Nature Program includes hands-on outdoor explorations, wildlife-themed and interactive games, creative conservation and nature crafts, and team activities. Children take part in hikes, nature exploration, forest adventures using binoculars and observation tools, animal tracking, using maps and compasses, shelter building, photography, stories, and science experiments. The program also offers creative nature art projects using leaves, seeds, and natural textures, along with exploration and creative play.
• Ages: 3–16 years old
• Schedule: Week-long summer sessions, generally running 9:00 AM–2:00 PM, with a Fledglings option from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program requiring one full Monday–Friday week
• Price: Summer Nature Program cost: $385/week; CIT program cost: $200 per week
Children enrolled in the “Lunch Bunch” and “Extended Day” options spend extra time on crafts, projects, stories, science experiments, and games. The Fledglings program has an instructor-to-child ratio of 1:5 with a maximum of 10 children, is a drop-off program, and requires that children be potty trained and that parents provide emergency contact information. The broader Summer Nature Program also requires that children be potty trained and that parents provide emergency contact information, and appropriate attire for comfort outdoors is expected.
The 23rd Season of Schiff's Summer Nature Program for Kids will be offered July 6–31, 2026, with examples of week-long sessions including Session I (July 6–10), Session II (July 13–17), Session III (July 20–24), and Session IV (July 27–31). The Fledglings sessions run June 15–19 and June 22–26, and Fledglings is held entirely outdoors with an indoor space available in extreme weather such as lightning or high winds. Schiff protects approximately 780 acres of land and has 12 miles of marked trails.
Environmental Educators facilitate hands-on experiences through nature exploration accompanied by stories, crafts, and games. Counselors-in-Training (CITs) receive expert training and coaching to develop leadership abilities and confidence, and successful completion of the CIT program is recognized with a certificate and letters of recommendation upon request. Participation in Schiff’s Summer Nature Program is a benefit of membership, membership is required prior to registration, and current Schiff members receive an early registration benefit.
Schiff’s mission is to foster an understanding and appreciation of the natural world through land preservation, environmental stewardship, education, and passive recreational activities. Schiff plans to create new collaborations with local health and science organizations and to increase hands-on learning for all ages. The leadership team includes Board President Dr. Marissa S. McDonnell, Executive Director Dorian von Aulock, Land Steward Chet Komoroski, Programs & Special Events Coordinator and Summer Nature Program Co-director Christi Lorenson, and Summer Nature Program Co-director Jenny Chmura.
Last updated July 9, 2026.
• Ages: 3–16 years old
• Schedule: Week-long summer sessions, generally running 9:00 AM–2:00 PM, with a Fledglings option from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program requiring one full Monday–Friday week
• Price: Summer Nature Program cost: $385/week; CIT program cost: $200 per week
Children enrolled in the “Lunch Bunch” and “Extended Day” options spend extra time on crafts, projects, stories, science experiments, and games. The Fledglings program has an instructor-to-child ratio of 1:5 with a maximum of 10 children, is a drop-off program, and requires that children be potty trained and that parents provide emergency contact information. The broader Summer Nature Program also requires that children be potty trained and that parents provide emergency contact information, and appropriate attire for comfort outdoors is expected.
The 23rd Season of Schiff's Summer Nature Program for Kids will be offered July 6–31, 2026, with examples of week-long sessions including Session I (July 6–10), Session II (July 13–17), Session III (July 20–24), and Session IV (July 27–31). The Fledglings sessions run June 15–19 and June 22–26, and Fledglings is held entirely outdoors with an indoor space available in extreme weather such as lightning or high winds. Schiff protects approximately 780 acres of land and has 12 miles of marked trails.
Environmental Educators facilitate hands-on experiences through nature exploration accompanied by stories, crafts, and games. Counselors-in-Training (CITs) receive expert training and coaching to develop leadership abilities and confidence, and successful completion of the CIT program is recognized with a certificate and letters of recommendation upon request. Participation in Schiff’s Summer Nature Program is a benefit of membership, membership is required prior to registration, and current Schiff members receive an early registration benefit.
Schiff’s mission is to foster an understanding and appreciation of the natural world through land preservation, environmental stewardship, education, and passive recreational activities. Schiff plans to create new collaborations with local health and science organizations and to increase hands-on learning for all ages. The leadership team includes Board President Dr. Marissa S. McDonnell, Executive Director Dorian von Aulock, Land Steward Chet Komoroski, Programs & Special Events Coordinator and Summer Nature Program Co-director Christi Lorenson, and Summer Nature Program Co-director Jenny Chmura.
Last updated July 9, 2026.
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