After School Programs
Seatuck is excited to offer a new year of our popular after school programs for 2023/24 – 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,” which is being offered for the first time, is for students in seventh through twelfth grade. Scroll below for details about both offerings.
Naturalist Club
Grades K to 6
Winter Registration Opens to the Public on Thursday, November 16th
See Links on the side Bar
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 2023/24 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 Thursdays for grades 4-6.
Fall sessions dates for the Grades K – 3 Group are as follows:
There are two group of K -3.
You may only attend one
Tuesday K -3 A Session Group
– October 3, 10, 17, 24 (no class on Halloween)
– November 7, 14, 21, 28
– December 5, 12, 19
Wednesday K -3 B Session Group
October 4, 11,1 8, 25
November 1, 8, 15, 29
December 6, 13, 20
Thursday Grades 4-6 Session
– October 5, 12, 19, 26
– November 2, 9, 16, 30
– December 7, 14, 21
All programs run from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Program Fee
The fee for Conservation Adventures is $255 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 $690 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
Conservation Adventures
Grades 7 to 12
Winter Registration Opens to the Public on Thursday, November 16th
See Links on the side Bar
Seatuck is proud to announce 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.
Program Dates
The dates for the Fall 2023 session are as follows:
– October 2, 16, 23, 30
– November 6, 13, 20, 27
– December 4, 11, 18
Winter and Spring session dates dates to be determined.
All programs run from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Program Fee
The fee for Conservation Adventures is $255 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 $690 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.
Related Information
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.
Suffolk County Environmental Center
The Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) is a small, secretive, semi-aquatic species that is found in a wide variety of shallow wetland habitats and their adjacent upland areas. It was once considered the most common turtle in New York State and the New York City region.
Summer Programs
Seatuck’s summer programs are perfect for children with an interest in nature, animals or plants. Registration now open.