After-School Programs
We provide a variety of enriching after-school programs for children in Kindergarten through Middle School. These seasonal programs give kids the chance to connect with nature, care for our animals, and enjoy some outdoor adventures!
Animal Encounters
- For Grades K - 1
- Offered on Tuesdays
- Membership required
Animal Caretakers
- For Grades 2 - 6
- Offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
- Membership required
Outdoor Explorers
- For Grades K - 1 (must be 5 years old to participate)
- Offered on Tuesdays
Nature Art Class
- For Grades K - 2
- Now offered on Mondays
Registration Timeline:
November 18 - 23: Currently Enrolled After-School Family Registration
November 24: Public Registration
Animal Encounters Club - Full
2026 Winter Session: January 5 - March 20, 2026
Tuesdays
Grades K -1
Membership required
Inspired by our popular Animal Caretakers Club, Animal Encounters is tailored to a younger audience, and offers a fun, age-appropriate introduction to animal care and wildlife appreciation. Children will engage in hands-on activities that bring them up close to the animals at DNC! Each one-hour session takes place partially outdoors and focuses on a different animal.
🐾 A great fit for young animal lovers who are especially curious about the natural world!
| Day | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesdays (FULL) | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | $354 |
Animal Caretakers Club - Limited Space
2026 Winter Session: January 5 - March 20, 2026
Mondays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays
Grades 2 - 6
Membership required
Join us for Animal Caretakers Club, where students get to know the 20+ resident animal species of the Nature Center! Through engaging, hands-on activities like preparing meals, cleaning habitats, and helping with enrichment, participants will discover what animals need to stay healthy and happy. It is the perfect program for young animal lovers who want to spend time with creatures of all kinds—furry, scaly, feathered, and everything in between!
🐾 From feeding to enrichment, members will learn what it takes to care for our animals!
| Day | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mondays | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | $314 |
| Wednesdays (FULL) | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | $354 |
| Thursdays (FULL) | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | $314 |
Outdoor Explorers
Upcoming Session Dates: January 6 - February 10, 2026
Tuesdays
Six classes per session
Grades K - 1 (must be 5 years old to participate)
Outdoor Explorers is back! This weekly after-school program helps kids unwind from the school day and reconnect with the natural world. Following the curiosity and interests of the group, each session takes children across the many habitats of Cherry Lawn Park—from the woods and stream to the pond, garden, and open fields. Activities may include hikes, nature games, critter hunts, campfires, and plenty of open-ended exploration—all designed to spark wonder and celebrate the joy of time spent outdoors!
🔍 Get ready to explore the great outdoors!
| Day | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesdays | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | $216 |
Nature Art Class
Upcoming Session: February 9 - March 23, 2026 (no class 2/16 for February break)
Mondays
Six classes per session
Grades K - 2
**Schedule Change: Classes will now be held on Mondays (instead of Tuesdays)**
Calling all artists! Bring your creativity and join our Nature Art class, which will merge natural materials, care for the planet, and your artistry to benefit nature! Taking inspiration from nature and all things whimsical, we will be focusing on building fairy houses for all six weeks, a perfect accent to any garden or woodland area. Nature Educator and art enthusiast Caroline Cone and the great outdoors will inspire your budding young artist.
🎨 Come and create some magic from the forest floor!
| Day | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mondays (updated class schedule) | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | $236 |
NEW THIS YEAR!
PAYMENT METHOD POLICY
New Payment Method Policy – Effective January 1, 2026
Effective January 1, 2026, the Darien Nature Center will transition to ACH transfer or check as our preferred payment methods for all programs, including Preschool (Babes in the Woods, Nature Time for Twos, and Nature's Playroom) and Summer Camp tuition, as well as after-school, early dismissal, vacation camps, and any other programs added throughout the year.
Accepted Payment Methods
- ACH (Automated Clearing House transfer)
- Personal Check
Card Payments
- Credit and debit card payments will continue to be accepted; however, please note that families will be responsible for any processing fees associated with tuition payments made by card.
Purpose of Policy
This change allows us to:
- Reduce administrative costs
- Ensure tuition funds are fully applied toward our educational programs
- Simplify payment processing for families and the Nature Center
Important Notes
- Tuition installment deadlines remain unchanged.
- Families are encouraged to set up ACH through their Playground account and designate it as their primary form of payment for the most seamless option.
- Checks should be made payable to Darien Nature Center and delivered to the main office.
If you have any questions, please review the FAQ section below, then email registration@dariennaturecenter.org or call us at 203-655-7459.
