Ready for an exciting summer at Alley Pond Environmental Center? Online registration for APEC’s week-long summer programs opens on Monday, March 31st, 2025 at 9:00 am. We are offering 6 weeks of programs, each focusing on a different theme. Space is limited.
Summer Science Squad - Ages 6 to 8 years old
Alley Pond Pioneers - Ages 9 to 11 years old
Eco Investigators - Ages 12 to 14 years old (3 weeks only)
Summer Science Squad
For Kids Ages 6-8
Mondays - Fridays | 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (3 hours)
Ambitious scientists ages 6-8 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 6-8 (drop-off) $325* per week, per child *$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) Registration Opens Monday, 3/31/2025
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Week 1: Classy Animals July 7th - 11th Scientists classify creatures into groups based on similar characteristics. Find out what makes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish so special. We will learn about a different vertebrate group each day! Week 2: Built for Survival July 14th - 18th Animals are equipped with a variety of physical attributes and behavioral characteristics which ensure the survival of their species. Explore coloration, body covering, venom, and more! Week 3: Avian Adventures July 21st - 25th Calling all bird lovers! Feathered friends have many amazing adaptations which inspire aww! Interactive activities will allow youngsters to examine bird beaks, feet, nests, and eggs. Week 4: Budding Botanists July 28th - August 1st Close inspection of plants reveals their great diversity, from leaves, to seeds, to flowers! Channel your inner botanist and explore the amazing plant world! Week 5: Biomes of the World August 4th - 8th Planet Earth is a diverse place with different biomes, characterized by varied climates and landforms. Learn about animals and plants living in the forests, wetlands, deserts, and tundra. Week 6: Interesting Invertebrates August 11th - 15th Investigate the amazing world of boneless creatures living beneath our feet and in the oceans. Discover why invertebrates are an essential part of the Animal Kingdom, serving as food and nourishing our soil. |
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.
- 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 Ages 9-11
Mondays - Fridays | 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (3 hours)
Budding scientists ages 9-11 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 9-11 (drop-off) $325* per week, per child *$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) Registration Opens Monday, 3/31/2025
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Week 1: Sustainable Gardening July 7th - 11th Throughout this exciting week, students will learn all about plants and gardening. They will help take care of the APEC greenhouse and compost, learn about invasive weeds, and harvest greens to feed our animals. Students will get to plant a variety of seeds to take home. All levels of garden experience are welcome, be prepared to get your hands dirty. Week 2: What is a Scientist? July 14th - 18th Calling all young scientists!! Have you ever wanted to design an experiment? This week will be full of hands-on experimentation and there will even be an end of week science fair. Come and find out if you have what it takes to be a scientist. Week 3: Animal Science July 21st - 25th There are lots of wacky animals in the animal kingdom. In this class, we will learn why a whale isn't a fish and why a frog isn't a reptile. We will look at bone, x-rays, pelts, and footprints as we learn all about animal classification. Week 4: Ecosystems and Ethnobotany July 28th - August 1st Ethnobotany is the study of how humans have historically interacted with and used plants. This includes everything from food, to fibers, to medicine. In this class, we will experiment with weaving natural materials, create a nature journal, and much more. We will also meet several animals and learn how both plants and animals have been domesticated. Week 5: Ologies August 4th - 8th Have you ever wondered what the difference is between an archeologist and an anthropologist? Or wondered where the distinction is between an ecologist and a zoologist? Each day this week we will look at a different field of science ranging from archaeology to zoology. Students will complete hands-on activities to learn what it's like to work in each of these fields. Week 6: Interesting Invertebrates August 11th - 15th Scientists estimate that 95-97% of known species are invertebrates. We will come to understand their adaptations and see how evolution has shaped them to deal with predation, seasonal changes, and varying environments. Students will get to meet several different invertebrates throughout the week. |
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.
- 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.
Eco Investigators
For Kids Ages 12-14
Mondays - Fridays | 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (2 hours)
Aspiring scientists ages 12-14 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.
Students should dress for a daily nature walk and bring a labeled REUSABLE water bottle. Participants should have sunscreen and bug repellant applied prior to entering the Center. Space is limited. Ages 12-14 (drop-off) $225* per week, per child *$10 discount per week if registering for all 3 weeks (call for discount code) Registration Opens Monday, 3/31/2025
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Week 1: Animal Classification July 21st - 25th Calling all animal lovers! Join us for a week all about animal classification and care. In this class, students will learn what differentiates our vertebrate and invertebrate groups. We will go over animal handling for some of our Animal Ambassadors. We will also learn what type of care goes into taking care of all our animals and get to help provide them with enrichment. Week 2: Gardening July 28th - August 1st Do you already have a garden at home? Have you ever tried to take care of a plant? Gardeners of all experience levels are welcome to come to get their hands dirty in this class. We will take care of the APEC greenhouse and compost, learn how to ID various native and invasive plants on the property, and harvest greens to feed the animals. Students will get to plant a variety of seeds to take home. Week 3: Conservation August 4th - 8th As an environmental center, conservation is always on our minds. Come and learn more about conserving our environment as we survey invasives, observe macroinvertebrates, and do water testing. We will also talk about climate change, endangered species, and prominent conservationists. |
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.
- 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.
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229-10 Northern Boulevard
Douglaston, NY 11362 |
MAIN: (718) 229-4000
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Email Us
[email protected] |