Hudson Highlands Nature Center Programs

Hudson Highlands Nature Center Programs includes Homeschool Naturalist for ages 6-9 and Homeschool Adventure Club for ages 10-12. Homeschool Naturalist meets on Wednesdays from 9:00am to 1:00pm for the Fall 2026 session and is a pre-registration, drop-off program. Homeschool Adventure Club meets on Wednesdays from 2:00pm to 4:00pm for the Fall 2026 session and is also a pre-registration, drop-off program.

Programs

• Homeschool Naturalist — 6-9 · Wednesdays, 9:00am-1:00pm · $440–$480 per session · Fall 2026 session; pre-registration required; HHNC Members $440, Not-yet-Members $480; drop-off program at Wildlife Education Campus.
• Homeschool Adventure Club — 10-12 · Wednesdays, 2:00pm-4:00pm · $225–$250 per session · Fall 2026 session; pre-registration required; HHNC Members $225, Not-yet-Members $250; drop-off program at Outdoor Discovery Campus.
• Weekend Nature Programs — 3-12 · Includes events such as Sturgeon Full Moon Hike, Butterfly Day, Family Camp out, History of Kenridge Farm, Stargazing: winter constellations, SUPERB OWL PARTY, and Wilderness Survival and Bushcrafts.
• Field Trip and School Programs — Pre-K through 5 · Programs offered at the Wildlife Education Campus and Outdoor Discovery Campus, aligned to NYS Standards.
• In-School Programs — Pre-K through 5 · Environmental educators come to the classroom with hands-on, interactive programs aligned to NYS Standards.
• Programs for Preschools — Preschool · Outdoor nature experiences for early childhood; the Nature Center can visit classrooms or families can visit the site.
• Grasshopper Grove — Saturdays & Sundays, 10:00am-4:00pm · Open mid-April through mid-November; nature play space.

At a glance

• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Price range: $225–$480 per session
• Current session: Fall 2026 Session - Homeschool Naturalist (Sep 16–Nov 4, 2026); Fall 2026 Session - Homeschool Adventure Club (Sep 16–Nov 4, 2026)
• General schedule: Programs are offered through the Nature Center’s Outdoor Discovery Campus and Wildlife Education Campus; weekend nature programs, homeschool programs, field trip/school programs, in-school programs, and preschool programs are listed.
• Facility hours: Outdoor Discovery Campus trails open dawn to dusk; Wildlife Education Campus trails open dawn to dusk; Wildlife Education Campus center open weekends 12:00pm-4:00pm unless otherwise noted; Outdoor Discovery Campus Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:00pm; Wildlife Education Campus Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm; Grasshopper Grove Saturdays & Sundays 10:00am-4:00pm mid-April through mid-November.

About the provider

The Hudson Highlands Nature Center began in 1959 as a summer environmental program for young people called the Summer Science Workshop. Its mission is to connect children with nature through hands-on education and play, and to inspire active stewards of their shared environment. It is a nonprofit 501c3 center for nature and has been voted "Best Place to Take Kids in the Hudson Valley" and "Best Nature Center" two years in a row by Kids Out & About. It was also the 2019 Winner: Best Museum.

Last updated August 27, 2026.