Have You Seen My Duckling?
Saturday, July 19th | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
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Help Mama Duck find all her ducklings as we read Have You Seen My Duckling? by Nancy Tafuri. We will learn about camouflage, search for hidden rubber duckies, and make a feathery craft to take home. Children will also enjoy an up-close animal encounter with 2 different birds. No siblings except babies in carriers or car seats. Spots are limited.
For Ages 2-3, with one adult | $22 per child/parent pair
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Creepy, Crawly Critters
Saturday, July 19th | 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm
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Get ready for summer fun by learning about creepy, crawly critters. Children will enjoy an up-close observation of a Madagascar hissing cockroach, crickets, and a blue death-feigning beetle. Children will also experience what it’s like to have bug eyes! Spots are limited.
For Ages 3-5, with one adult | $26 per child/parent pair
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Animal Care Trainee
Sunday, July 20th | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
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Would you like to help us care for APEC’s animals? This program introduces children to the unique responsibility of being an animal caretaker. Participants will learn about the needs of our animal ambassadors, and gain hands-on experience in feeding, brushing, and cleaning them. They will also learn the first steps of researching and understanding what animal is best fit for lifestyle and family. Spots are limited.
For Ages 8-10 (drop-off) | $34 per child
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Summer Bird Walk
Saturday, July 26th | 11:00 am - 12:15 pm
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Ready to slow down and really enjoy the beauty around you? Join us this summer for a special Expert-Led Bird Walk at APEC! Wander through lush forests, serene wetlands, and open meadows—each step revealing the hidden lives and beauty of local and migratory birds. Led by Wing, a passionate birder, artist and nature educator, this walk is perfect for adults who want to sharpen their birding skills, learn fascinating facts, and make new friends who love nature. No matter if you’re a birding pro or just curious, everyone’s welcome! Bring your sense of wonder—and your binoculars—for an immersive experience that’s as peaceful as it is inspiring. Step out of the bustling cityscape and see Queens in its natural beauty, letting birds reveal how special our wildlife and nature spaces truly are. Spots are limited.
For Adults | $15 per adult
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Vet Tech 101 - Nutrition
Saturday, July 26th | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
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Students will focus on the nutritional needs of our animals and optimal dietary choices for body weight, bone health, and organ health. They will also learn how to check to make sure the animals are receiving the right amount of nutrition by giving them examinations and will feed a variety of animals in our care. Spots are limited.
For Ages 9-12 (drop-off) | $34 per child
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I Want to Be a Vet
Sunday, August 3rd | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
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Do you love animals? Aspiring veterinarians will enjoy learning about the many aspects of veterinary care. Veterinarians provide different medical care for different types of animals depending on their patients-zoo animals, farm animals or pets! Children will learn about the special needs of a variety of APEC’s Animal Ambassadors and observe them up close. Spots are limited.
For Ages 5-7 (drop-off) | $22 per child
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Animal Care Trainee
Saturday, August 9th | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
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Would you like to help us care for APEC’s animals? This program introduces children to the unique responsibility of being an animal caretaker. Participants will learn about the needs of our animal ambassadors, and gain hands-on experience in feeding, brushing, and cleaning them. They will also learn the first steps of researching and understanding what animal is best fit for lifestyle and family. Spots are limited.
For Ages 8-10 (drop-off) | $34 per child
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Animal Tales: The Foolish Tortoise
Saturday, August 9th | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
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Enjoy the silly story of The Foolish Tortoise, illustrated by Eric Carle, as you learn some interesting facts about these reptiles. Observe a land tortoise and aquatic turtle while comparing their bodies and behavior. Children will also use dot markers to make a cute turtle craft. Spots are limited.
For Ages 2-3, with one adult | $22 per child/parent pair
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Pond Animals
Saturday, August 9th | 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm
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Families will begin their study of the pond by observing an aquatic turtle, dove, and rabbit. We will learn about other pond critters with a read aloud of Life in a Pond by C. Hammersmith. Children will also make clay turtles and conduct an experiment using water and pipettes. Spots are limited.
For Ages 3-5, with one adult | $26 per child/parent pair
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Forest Bathing Walk
Saturday, August 23rd | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
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Take a 90-minute meditative Forest Bathing Walk, led by certified guide Linda Lombardo. Based on the Japanese tradition of Shinrin-Yoku, this unique walk inspires mindful connections with the natural elements of the woods for a range of healthful benefits. Embrace the finals days of summer and share the beauty of silence as you rediscover your wild heart in nature. According to Linda, “Take this time to be present, lower the stress you may be experiencing, and connect with nature, which naturally boosts your immune system.” Spots are limited.
For Adults | $25 per person
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Aromatherapy With Annie
Saturday, September 27th | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
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As autumn settles in, many of us begin to feel an inner shift — a quiet tug inward. Nature starts to slow down, shedding and preparing for rest, but our modern lives rarely follow suit. This seasonal disconnect can leave us feeling off-balance in both body and mind.
You might notice issues such as heightened anxiety, disrupted sleep, difficulty focusing or feeling grounded, increased emotional sensitivity and mood changes, restlessness, and exhaustion. This is your body’s way of preparing for the slower, darker months ahead. Fall is a time of transition — from expansion to contraction, from outward energy to inner reflection. But when we don’t allow ourselves to align with this rhythm, our nervous systems can struggle to keep up. Join us for a soothing aromatherapy class centered on grounding essential oils — your allies in seasonal balance. Through aromatics, breathwork, and mindful practices, you’ll learn how to support your body as it gently shifts toward winter’s restorative pace. In this in-person class, learn to blend essential oils & craft a take-away product with: Certified Aromatherapist,Annie Mascia of La Strega Buona Aromatics. For Adults | $30 per person
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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 Blvd.
Douglaston, NY 11362 |
MAIN: (718) 229-4000
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Email Us
[email protected] |