Ready for an exciting summer at Alley Pond Environmental Center? Online registration for APEC’s week-long summer programs opens on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:30 am. We are offering 6 weeks of programs, each focusing on a different theme. Kindergarten Kids offers engaging lessons for children starting Kindergarten in the fall. Young scientists entering 1st, 2nd. or 3rd grade will love enhancing their observation skills with the Summer Science Squad. Children entering 4th, 5th, or 6th grade in the fall will enjoy many interactive hands-on activities in the Alley Pond Pioneers program. Space is limited.

Summer Science Squad

For Kids Entering 1st - 3rd Grade

Mondays - Fridays | 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (3 hours)
Aspiring scientists entering 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade in the fall will love exploring nature and science at APEC!  Each weekly program will focus on a different topic and have live animal guests, hands-on activities, and outdoor time.

​Children should dress for a daily nature walk and bring a labeled REUSABLE water bottle and nut-free snack. Participants should have sunscreen and bug repellant applied prior to entering the Center. Space is limited.

Ages: Entering 1st - 3rd Grade (drop-off)
$325* per week, per child
Week 1: Animal Superpowers
​July 8th - 12th
Discover the super sensational powers of different creatures. We will explore camouflage coloration, bioluminescence, vision, and more! 

​Week 2: Beautiful Birds
July 15th - 19th
Calling all bird lovers! Feathered friends have many amazing adaptations which aid in their survival. Interactive activities will allow youngsters to examine bird beaks, feet, nests, and eggs!

Week 3: City Critters
July 22nd - 26th
The urban landscape is filled with an assortment of amazing creatures. Children will find out about squirrels, foxes, rabbits, butterflies, and local bird species throughout the week!

Week 4: Super Science
July 29th - August 2nd
The science world is filled with so many interesting things! Join us as we experiment with air and watermelons, learn about honeybees, examine flowers, and enjoy an introduction to geology!

Week 5: Exploring Ecosystems (CANCELLED)
August 5th - 9th
Planet Earth has many different ecosystems, each a specialized environment. Young scientists will learn about the unique characteristics, plants, and animals found in the forest, pond, mountains, rain forest, and our local salt marsh! 

Week 6: Nature Detectives
August 12th - 16th
Science sleuths will put their detective skills to work while learning about animal clues left in nature. Scat, tracks, nests, and teeth offer a variety of clues about animal diets, behaviors, and more!

Register Here! (Opens Friday, 3/29/2024)
*$20 discount per week if registering for all 6 weeks (call for discount code)
*$10 discount per week if registering for 3 – 5 weeks (call for discount code)

​​Cancellation Policy:
- If cancelling one month in advance, $25 registration fee will be charged, and then remaining balance will be refunded.
- If canceling less than one month, no refund, no credit.

Alley Pond Pioneers

For Kids Entering 4th - 6th Grade

Mondays - Fridays | 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (3 hours)
Aspiring scientists entering 4th, 5th, or 6th grade in the fall will love exploring nature and science at APEC!  Each weekly program will focus on a different topic and have live animal guests, hands-on activities, and outdoor time.

Children should dress for a daily nature walk and bring a labeled REUSABLE water bottle and nut-free snack. Participants should have sunscreen and bug repellant applied prior to entering the Center. Space is limited.

Ages: Entering 4th - 6th Grade (drop-off)
$325* per week, per child
Week 1: Biomes and Biodiversity
​July 8th - 12th
Explore the fascinating world of biomes and learn how they support the world's species. Through experiments and games, we will even get to recreate some of the processes that give their environments some of their hallmark features! Lastly, we will see how their continued health affects us all! 

Week 2: All About Birds
​July 15th - 19th
Come and learn about the history of birds starting with their ancient ancestors, the dinosaur. This week we will learn about the remarkable adaptations that birds use to survive in nearly every terrestrial environment on Earth. We will see the inherent strength of eggs, different uses for beaks, and even dissect owl pellets!

Week 3: STEM Science
July 22nd - 26th
Calling all young scientists! An exciting week packed with experiments, machines, and structures. If you want to grow a crystal or build a catapult, then this week is for you. Legos, Rube Goldberg machines, and toothpick bridges await you on this science packed adventure!

Week 4: Compost and Gardening
July 29th - August 2nd
Students will learn about the science of composting and participate in maintaining the APEC compost tumbler. They will also learn about all kinds of wonderful decomposers and their role in our ecosystem. We will work together to start up and care for several plants, including a vegetable plant that they get to take home!

Week 5: Summer Sustainability
August 5th - 9th
Over the course of this exciting week, students will focus on thought-provoking STEM challenges that get them thinking like real engineers. Students will also witness how "smart engineering" can be implemented to solve a host of environmental issues that make the world a safer and cleaner place!

Week 6: Wacky Wildlife
August 12th - 16th
Learn about different groups of animals and meet some of the amazing creatures with which we share our planet. We will come to understand their adaptations and see how their bodies have been shaped to deal with predation, seasonal changes, and mating pressures. By the end of this class, you will be wanting to ask evolution: OK, BUT WHYY? JUST WHYYYY?

Register Here! (Opens Friday, 3/29/2024)
*$20 discount per week if registering for all 6 weeks (call for discount code)
*$10 discount per week if registering for 3 – 5 weeks (call for discount code)

​​Cancellation Policy:
- If cancelling one month in advance, $25 registration fee will be charged, and then remaining balance will be refunded.
- If canceling less than one month, no refund, no credit.
The environmental center is located in Alley Pond Park, surrounded by lush nature trails where visitors can enjoy NYC's natural landscapes. Guests are welcome to attend one of APEC's many nature oriented programs for all ages and visit the center's animal ambassadors. Please explore our website to learn more and register for programs.
Follow our journey on social media:
229-10 Northern Boulevard
Douglaston, NY 11362
MAIN: (718) 229-4000
Email Us
[email protected]