Registration for our summer programs will begin on Monday, March 16th at 9:00 am!​ Please click on the program you want to view or scroll down to find it.

Animal Group Troop

Ages 6 to 11 (drop-off)
Mondays to Fridays | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Ambitious scientists ages 6-11 will love learning about animals and nature at Alley Pond Environmental Center! We'll be starting off and ending the summer with lessons on animal groups and ecosystems, respectively, in these weeklong programs. Each day will involve a lesson, a craft, an APEC ambassador animal, and a nature walk. 
Children should dress appropriately for the daily nature walk and bring a labeled REUSABLE water bottle. Participants should have sunscreen and bug repellant applied prior to entering APEC. Space is limited.
Click on the session to register!

​Animal Group Troop 1
June 29th – July 3rd

Animal Groups: Ambitious scientists ages 6-11 will love learning about animals at Alley Pond Environmental Center! We’ll be starting off summer by learning about different animal groups in this weeklong program.

Animal Group Troop 2
August 17th - 21st

Ecosystems: Scientists ages 6-11 will learning about nature at Alley Pond Environmental Center! We’ll be ending summer by learning about different ecosystems around the world in this weeklong program.

$220 per week, per child
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Cancellation Policy:
  • If cancelling one month in advance, $25 registration fee will be charged, and then the balance will be refunded
  • If cancelling less than one month, no refund, no credit

Summer Science Squad

Ages 6 to 8 (drop-off)
Mondays to Fridays | 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
​Science lovers ages 6 to 8 years old 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 APEC. Space is limited.
Click on the week to register!

​Week 1: July 6th - 10th: Super STEM Science
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Week 2: July 13th - 17th: Urban Wildlife
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Week 3: July 20th - 24th: Exploring Ecosystems

Week 4: July 27th - 31st: Investigating Invertebrates

Week 5: August 3rd - 7th: Classy Animals

Week 6: August 10th - 14th: Fine-Feathered Friends

$325 per week, per child
  • $20 discount per week if registering for all 6 weeks
  • $10 discount per week if registering for 3 – 5 weeks
Please call (718) 229-4000 for discount code

Cancellation Policy:
  • If cancelling one month in advance, $25 registration fee will be charged, and then the balance will be refunded
  • If cancelling less than one month, no refund, no credit

Alley Pond Pioneers

Ages 9 to 11 (drop-off)
Mondays to Fridays | 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Budding scientists ages 9 to 11 years old will enjoy engaging lessons 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 APEC. Space is limited.
Click on the week to register!

​Week 1: July 6th - 10th: Garden Planning
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Week 2: July 13th - 17th: Animal Classification​
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Week 3: July 20th - 24th: Science Fair 101

Week 4: July 27th - 31st: Bug Biodiversity

Week 5: August 3rd - 7th: Riveting Reptiles

Week 6: August 10th - 14th: Animal Superpowers​

$325 per week, per child
  • $20 discount per week if registering for all 6 weeks
  • $10 discount per week if registering for 3 – 5 weeks
Please call (718) 229-4000 for discount code

Cancellation Policy:
  • If cancelling one month in advance, $25 registration fee will be charged, and then the balance will be refunded
  • If cancelling less than one month, no refund, no credit

Teen STEM

Ages 12 to 14 (drop-off)
Mondays to Thursdays | 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Advanced scientists ages 12 to 14 years old will dive deeper in different sciences at APEC! Each Monday to Thursday program will focus on a different field of science. These hands-on introductions will include live animal guests 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 APEC. Space is limited.
Click on the session to register!

​Session 1: July 27th - 30th: Bio Basics
  • Analyzing field samples
  • Open-ended labs to reinforce simple biological concepts
  • A simulation of natural selection will be performed and analyzed
  • Discussion of environmental science 

Session 2: August 3rd - 6th: Phenomenal Physics
  • Investigation of fulcrum leverage physics
  • Investigation of simple vectors with concepts applied to animal morphology
  • Environmental physics: concepts of thermodynamics and hydrodynamics will be applied to a student-built simulation of the Atlantic thermohaline currents
  • Model bridge building tested for load bearing.

Session 3: August 10th - 13th: Captivating Chemistry
  • Study of chemical reactions with application to environmental and life sciences
  • Lessons about chemical cycles in nature, including the nitrogen, carbon and oxygen cycles
  • Environmental chemistry field study with the collection and analysis of samples collected on site
  • Hands-on water chemistry activities​
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$255 per Monday-Thursday session, per child
  • $10 discount per session if registering for all 3 sessions
Please call (718) 229-4000 for discount code

Cancellation Policy:
  • If cancelling one month in advance, $25 registration fee will be charged, and then the balance will be refunded
  • If cancelling less than one month, no refund, no credit

$5 Friday Family Fun Program

Ages 2-5, with an adult chaperone
Fridays | 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Celebrate summer with a special 1-hour program at APEC. Meet 3 live animals and enjoy a guided nature walk to the Salt Marsh. Be sure to apply insect repellant and sunblock before entering the building. $5 program fee for EACH child. Parent chaperones welcome to join free of charge. Space is limited.
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
Email Us
[email protected]