After School Programs
Seatuck is excited to offer a new year of our popular after school programs for 2024/25 – and this time with two versions to offer! The first, for students in Kindergarten through sixth grade, will follow the format of past years and retain the “Naturalist Club” title. The second, called “Conservation Adventures,” is for students in seventh through twelfth grade. Scroll below for details about both offerings
Naturalist Club
Grades K to 6
See registration links on the sidebar
The Naturalist Club, which has been Seatuck’s popular after-school program since 2018, immerses students in the dynamic natural world through activities designed to make learning an adventure.
Participants step into Long Island’s wild places under the guidance of our skilled outdoor educators, igniting their curiosity about the natural wonders around them. Our two facilities (70-acres in Islip and 200-acre in East Islip) become adventure labs as students explore their creativity and scientific prowess through an array of engaging projects.
During each of our carefully curated sessions, every moment becomes a chance to unravel the mysteries of the outdoors. As examples, students will experience the thrill of crafting shelters, embark on mesmerizing owl prowls, and delve into captivating pond studies. Our child-centric approach ensures that every participant, from kindergarten to sixth grade, discovers the joy of hands-on exploration.
Three sessions of the Naturalist Clubs will be held in the 2024/25 school year: one for the fall (Oct-Dec), winter (Jan-March), and spring (Apr-June) seasons. Each session will include two separate groups, one for students Grades K – 3 and one for Grades 4 – 6. (See below for our new Conservation Explorers program for Grades 7 – 12.)
Program Location
The Naturalist Clubs will be based at the South Shore Nature Center (130 Bayview Ave, East Islip), with visits to the Suffolk County Environmental Center (550 S. Bay Avenue, Islip). Programs will take place outdoors, so students must be dressed for the weather.
Program Dates
All sessions take place on Tuesdays for grades K-3 and Wednesdays for grades 4-6.
Fall sessions dates for the Grades K – 3 Group are as follows:
Tuesday K -3 Group Two Spaces Left
October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
November 5, 12, 19, 26
December 3, 10
Thursday Section: Full
October 10, 17, 24, No Class on Halloween
November 7, 14, 21
December 5, 12, 19
Fall session dates for the Grades 4-6 Group are as follows:
Wednesday Grades 4-6 Three Spaces Left
October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
November 6, 13, 20, 27
December 4, 11
All programs run from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Program Fee
The fee for After School Naturalist Club is $275 per session (3 months, 11 classes each session). Three sessions will be held in the 2024/25 school year; Fall (Oct-Dec), Winter (Jan-March) and Spring (April-June).
We offer a reduced fee of $700 for participants that register for all three seasons at once.
Please note, you only need to register once per seasonal session. Each session includes 11 classe
Conservation Adventures
Grades 7 to 12
Fall Registration is Open.
See registration links on the sidebar.
Seatuck is proud to continue Conservation Adventures, an exciting new after-school program for students in grades 7 to 12. The program aims to take science education beyond the confines of the classroom and into the real world, fostering exploratory fun and educational growth.
At Conservation Adventures, students will have the unique chance to actively contribute to ongoing conservation projects led by Seatuck’s renowned natural history and conservation experts. By getting involved in these projects, they’ll experience firsthand the impact of scientific knowledge on real-world environmental issues, making their learning truly meaningful.
Throughout each of the three seasonal 11-week sessions, students will embark on a captivating journey. The program begins with a localized lesson at the South Shore Nature Center, one of Seatuck’s facilities in East Islip, where they will be introduced to essential concepts and tools used by conservationists in the field. This foundational knowledge will be complemented by exciting adventures and monthly off-site field trips, where we’ll explore the natural wonders of Long Island.
Our experienced outdoor educators will mentor and guide the students, ensuring they have the skills and support to make the most of their conservation adventures. Moreover, students will have the invaluable opportunity to shadow conservation experts, learning directly from the professionals who positively impact Long Island’s natural habitat.
Throughout the program, students will uncover fascinating discoveries about Long Island’s flora and fauna, enhancing their appreciation for its rich biodiversity. The interactive and hands-on approach of Conservation Adventures will instill a deep connection with nature and inspire a sense of responsibility to protect our precious environment.
Conservation Adventures is more than just an afterschool program; it’s an unforgettable journey into the world of conservation science. Join us as we nurture and mentor the next generation of aspiring adventurers and conservationists, helping them experience the thrill of real-world exploration, scientific applications and fostering a lifelong passion for environmental stewardship. Together, let’s make a positive impact on the world around us!
Program Location
Conservation Adventures will be based at the South Shore Nature Center (130 Bayview Avenue, East Islip), with monthly field trips to the Suffolk County Environmental Center (550 S. Bay Avenue, Islip) and other nearby locations. Programs will take place outdoors, so students must be dressed for the weather.
Dates for the Fall Conservation Adventures Programs:
Program Dates
September 30
October 7, 21, 28
November 4, 18, 25
December 2, 9
There will be three Saturday field trips, one per month
Date TBD
All programs run from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Program Fee
The fee for Conservation Adventures is $275 per session (3 months, 11 classes). Three sessions will be held in the 2023/23 school year; Fall (Oct-Dec), Winter (Jan-March) and Spring (April-June). Program dates for the Winter and Spring sessions will be announced as the seasons approach.
We offer a reduced fee of $700 for participants that register for all three seasons at once.
Please note, you only need to register once per seasonal session. Each session includes 11 classes.open
Related Information
Professional Teacher Development
Seatuck has been providing professional development opportunities for teachers for over a decade. This work focuses on helping teachers develop a deeper understanding of Long Island’s natural history and learning techniques for using the outdoors as an extension of the classroom and incorporating the natural world into daily lessons. Seatuck’s work with teachers includes both the annual year-long Greentree Foundation Teachers’ Ecology Workshop and custom, shorter trainings for teacher groups, grade levels, administrators, schools or districts.
Wild & Scenic Film Festival
The Wild & Scenic Film Festival promotes grassroots environmental activism through art and film. It features the best in environmental documentaries, shorts, and adventure films.
Quail in the Classroom
Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus) are a native North American ground bird that historically ranged across much of the Central and Eastern United States. The species, which thrived when forests were cleared and mixed-use agriculture characterized the Colonial landscape, has suffered dramatic declines in the past century as grassland habitat has been lost to development and industrial agriculture.