About
Friends of Rye Nature Center Youth Programs include activities such as log sawing contests, fire-roasted marshmallows, hikes, short hikes, and outdoor adventure. Children take part in maple sugaring, can tap a maple tree, and visit the Sugar Shed where the process of making maple syrup is demonstrated. Programs also feature nature-based activities like crafts, games, hands-on ecology lessons, animal encounters, ecological exploration, and observation-focused hikes that may include searching for spring eggs and nests or searching the forest for hidden salamanders and wildlife.
• Ages: 2–17 years old
• Schedule: Office hours September–May are Monday–Saturday, 9:00AM–5:00PM, and June–August are Monday–Friday, 8:30AM–4:30PM
Friends of Rye Nature Center Youth Programs also offer indoor seed starting and hands-on activities that inspire sustainability, as well as opportunities to look for frogs and dragonflies near ponds. The programs include summer day camp with outdoor adventure, ecological exploration, and hands-on learning, Paddle Adventure Camp with kayaking, hiking, and outdoor fun for campers in grades 8–10, and the June Bugs summer program for children ages 3.5 to 6 with outdoor activities, crafts, games, and hands-on ecology lessons in the forest. Additional options include a Forest Preschool based on outdoor experiential learning, afterschool clubs, My Naturalist and Me sessions for a shared hour of nature activities with a young child, and School’s Out Workshops for children ages 3.5 to 10 when school is out.
Friends of Rye Nature Center is an independent, not-for-profit organization that offers programs to people of all ages and abilities, encourages conservation, provides environmental education, and supports community access to nature. The organization manages a 47-acre forest preserved and protected for study and enjoyment by the community and keeps its trails open daily from sunrise to sunset, with an interactive trail map available. The Nature Access Fund provides financial assistance for most programs, including Summer Camp, Paddle Adventure Camp, and June Bugs.
Friends of Rye Nature Center collaborates with other not-for-profit groups and local families to make nature accessible to everyone, using donor-supported scholarships and funding to provide environmental education and programming. In 2008, Friends of Rye Nature Center partnered with the Inner-City Scholarship Fund to bring underserved students from New York City to attend summer camp at the Nature Center, and this program remains active. One long-running event, Old-Fashioned Winter’s Afternoon, is described as a 49-year-old Rye tradition.
Bikes are not allowed on the trails, but bicycles can be left at the bike rack by the welcome kiosk, and dogs are not allowed on the grounds. Restrooms are located in the main building and are accessible during office hours.
Last updated February 7, 2026.
• Ages: 2–17 years old
• Schedule: Office hours September–May are Monday–Saturday, 9:00AM–5:00PM, and June–August are Monday–Friday, 8:30AM–4:30PM
Friends of Rye Nature Center Youth Programs also offer indoor seed starting and hands-on activities that inspire sustainability, as well as opportunities to look for frogs and dragonflies near ponds. The programs include summer day camp with outdoor adventure, ecological exploration, and hands-on learning, Paddle Adventure Camp with kayaking, hiking, and outdoor fun for campers in grades 8–10, and the June Bugs summer program for children ages 3.5 to 6 with outdoor activities, crafts, games, and hands-on ecology lessons in the forest. Additional options include a Forest Preschool based on outdoor experiential learning, afterschool clubs, My Naturalist and Me sessions for a shared hour of nature activities with a young child, and School’s Out Workshops for children ages 3.5 to 10 when school is out.
Friends of Rye Nature Center is an independent, not-for-profit organization that offers programs to people of all ages and abilities, encourages conservation, provides environmental education, and supports community access to nature. The organization manages a 47-acre forest preserved and protected for study and enjoyment by the community and keeps its trails open daily from sunrise to sunset, with an interactive trail map available. The Nature Access Fund provides financial assistance for most programs, including Summer Camp, Paddle Adventure Camp, and June Bugs.
Friends of Rye Nature Center collaborates with other not-for-profit groups and local families to make nature accessible to everyone, using donor-supported scholarships and funding to provide environmental education and programming. In 2008, Friends of Rye Nature Center partnered with the Inner-City Scholarship Fund to bring underserved students from New York City to attend summer camp at the Nature Center, and this program remains active. One long-running event, Old-Fashioned Winter’s Afternoon, is described as a 49-year-old Rye tradition.
Bikes are not allowed on the trails, but bicycles can be left at the bike rack by the welcome kiosk, and dogs are not allowed on the grounds. Restrooms are located in the main building and are accessible during office hours.
Last updated February 7, 2026.
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