Important Notice: Face masks are required for all building visitors and program participants regardless of vaccination status. Our exhibit hall is open during building hours with implementation of health and safety guidelines. Click here for details.
Click here to view the program calendar
Pre-registration is required for all programs (including free programs). For safety during this time, please have your face covering and consider bringing hand sanitizer when you attend the program.
Rent-a-Maple
Tap into history and welcome spring with Stage Nature Center’s popular annual Rent-a-Maple event! Help support our sugar bush by “leasing” a maple tree. Your name will hang on a tree during the syrup season to acknowledge your generous support. Holiday gift leases must be purchased by December 15, 2021.
This year, a limited number of trees will be available for participants to tap themselves or to be tapped by staff members. You have the choice of “leasing” a maple tree that will be tapped by your group of up to 5 participants (at $50 per tree), a maple tree that will be tapped by staff members (at $40 per tree), or a maple tree that will not be tapped (at $35 per tree). All tree leases include a Rent-a-Maple package that will contain the following:
A spile for tree tapping at home
One pint of pure maple syrup
Maple sugar candy
Other special surprises
A “certificate of appreciation”
Leases must be purchased by January 28, 2022. Our Rent-a-Maple packages will be available for pick-up at the SNC starting on February 26, 2022. Groups that are tapping their own trees will be scheduled to tap on February 26.
Winter Toddler Time
$3 per child
Wednesdays, Dec 1 & 8; Jan 5 thru Feb 23, 10-11:30 am
Registration required
A weekly gathering of parents/caring adults and children for some relaxed winter fun! Each themed session includes indoor activities for toddlers with games, crafts, puzzles, books, and children’s music. Take a self-guided hike on the SNC trails. Tea for parents & hot chocolate for the toddlers. To follow pandemic guidelines, children must be pre-registered. Only 1 adult per registered child is allowed.
Click here to register for Turkeys on Dec 1
Click here to register for Bears on Dec 8
Click here to register for Animals in Shells on Jan 5
Click here to register for Bees on Jan 12
Click here to register for Dinosaurs on Jan 19
Click here to register for Owls on Jan 26
Click here to register for Groundhog Day on Feb 2
Click here to register for Snakes on Feb 9
Photo Walks by TNS Photo Club
Ages: All
TNS Member: Free | Non-Member: $2
Guided hikes through the SNC. Meet in the parking lot by 8 am. Bring your camera. Dress for the weather.
Click here to register for Saturday, Dec 4
Click here to register for Saturday, Jan 1
Owl Prowl – Meet a Live Owl
Ages 5-Adult
TNS Member: $10 | Non-Member: $12
Have you heard the trill and whinny of the Eastern Screech-Owl or the deep, soft hoot of the Great Horned Owl? On each Prowl, we will immerse ourselves into the nighttime world of the owl and discover what makes them so unique. We will first meet one of our resident owls up close and personal. Then we will brave the cold and prowl the trails to listen and look for these elusive raptors that call the grounds of the Stage Nature Center home. This is a family program; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Each person participating must enroll and pay the fee. There are two prowl times.
Little Acorns
Ages: 2-4
TNS Member: $3 | Non-Member: $5
Let your child explore the sights and sounds of nature through outdoor activities. This program will take place outside, except in the event of inclement weather. You may choose to bring children in strollers or sleds that are sturdy enough for a wood chipped trail. The adult partner is free and must accompany the child throughout the program.
Santa Visits the SNC!
Ages: 3-8
TNS Member: $10 | Non-Member: $12
Sat, Dec 11, Scheduled morning & afternoon visits
Santa loves to visit you at the nature center but knows that we all need to practice social distancing this year. He and Mrs. Claus will be here for a scheduled long-distance chat with each child. Bring your letter with a return address for Santa to take with him to the North Pole. He will send a letter back to you! At the visit, each child will receive the materials and directions for a special craft to make at home and a special gift bag from Santa.
Click here to register for 10 am
Click here to register for 10:30 am
Click here to register for 11 am
Click here to register for 11:30 am
Click here to register for 1 pm
Click here to register for 1:30 pm
Homeschool & School Enrichment Nature Classes
TNS Member: $6.50/child | Non-Member: $8.50/child
For homeschool children and a free parent partner. Or, as science enrichment for children attending school (virtually or in-person) and a free parent partner.
Daytime Astronomy Ages for ages 5-10
What is the sun and how does it make life on Earth possible? How does it cause seasons? We will explore our solar system, compare planet sizes and distances from the sun. We will investigate the stars beyond our solar system and the pictures they seem to make in the sky.
Click here to register for Wed, Dec 15, 10 am-12 pm
Click here to register for Wed, Dec 15, 3-5 pm
Animal Tracks & Signs for ages 5-10
Can you identify an animal from its track? What do tracks and other signs tell you about its activity? Exploring signs, we will learn more about animals’ winter activities.
Click here to register for Thur, Jan 13, 10 am-12 pm
Click here to register for Thur, Jan 13, 3-5 pm
Winter Survival for ages 5-10
Learn about ways wildlife has adapted to surviving winter’s cold. What is snow and how does it help or harm survival? Outside, we will gather and use evidence to unravel the mysteries of winter’s frozen world. Program will take place with or without snow.
Knee-high Naturalists
Ages 2-4
TNS Member Fee: $11 | Non-Member Fee: $14
Children with a free adult partner, can attend one or more of the following programs. Each session includes a nature story, hike, activities, craft, and a snack.
Fabulous Feet – find out who left tracks in the woods.
Click here to register for Feet on Thur, Dec 16, 10-11:30 am
Click here to register for Feet on Fri, Dec 17, 10-11:30 am
Stranger in the Woods – learn what animals do in winter to survive.
Click here to register for Stranger on Thur, Jan 20, 10-11:30 am
Click here to register for Stranger on Fri, Jan 21, 10-11:30 am
Whooo Loves You? – discover why owls are hooting.
Click here to register for Owls on Thur, Feb 17, 10-11:30 am
Nature Explorers
Ages: All (best for 5 & up)
TNS Member: $4 | Non-Member: $6
Enjoy some screen-free time while exploring the natural world! Together we will participate in hands-on, outdoor experiences to investigate different nature-related topics. Adults must register and remain with their children.
Migration – Go or Stay? : Click here to register for Sat, Dec 18, 1-2:30 pm
Crystals : Click here to register for Sat, Jan 8, 1:30-3 pm
Love in the Animal World : Click here to register for Sat, Feb 12, 1:30–3 pm
Scout It Out: Cub Scouts
Fee: $10/scout
Scouts: come and complete your nature-related badge or adventure! All or most requirements are met; however, the badge itself is not included. Register as an individual scout, den or pack. Please dress for the weather. Leaders or chaperones are free and need to remain with their scouts. No refunds for these programs.
Click here for to register Wolf: Digging in the Past on Sat, Dec 18, 9:30 am-12 pm
Click here for to register Webelos: Into the Wild on Sat, Feb 5, 9:30 am-12 pm
Scout It Out: Girl Scouts
Fee: $10/scout
Scouts: come and complete your nature-related badge or adventure! All or most requirements are met; however, the badge itself is not included. Register as an individual scout or troop. Please dress for the weather. Leaders or chaperones are free and need to remain with their scouts. No refunds for these programs.
Click here to register for Junior GS: Animal Habitats on Sat, Jan 22, 9:30 am-12 pm
Click here to register for Cadette GS: Trees on Sat, Mar 26, 1:30-4 pm
Owl Encounters
Ages 3-Adult
Fee: $4
Join us on one of these tours to visit the 5 rehabilitated owls that call the Stage Nature Center home. This tour gives you a chance to learn more about the different owl species, reasons why they each live in captivity, explore their different personalities, and get your owl questions answered. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Space is limited. Registrations may fill before the day of the program.
Click here to register for Sat, Dec 18, 3:30-4:30 pm
Click here to register for Sat, Jan 8, 3:30-4:30 pm
Click here to register for Sat, Jan 29, 11 am-12 pm
Blood Drive
Stargazing at Stage
Ages: 8-Adult
TNS Member: $6 | Non-Member: $8
Fri, Jan 7, 6:30-8:30 pm
Join Warren Astronomical Society member Marty Kunz as he leads you on a journey deep into the winter night sky. You will explore winter constellations, deep space objects and other astronomical phenomena. Telescopes will be provided; however, you are welcome and encouraged to bring your own. Marty will help you learn the ins and outs of your telescope. This program will occur regardless of the sky conditions. Be sure to dress for winter weather. This is a family program; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Each person participating must enroll and pay the fee.
Walk with a Naturalist
Ages: Ages 3-Adult
$3 for all participants
Saturdays, Jan 15 and Feb 19, 10:30-11:30 am
Take a relaxing walk on the SNC trails through various natural communities. Get answers to your nature questions. Pre-register online. Adults should remain with their children. Each person participating should enroll and pay the fee.
Owl Mosaic Workshop – Meet a Live Owl!
Age: Adult
TNS Member: $36 | Non-Member: $41
Sat, Jan 29, 1–3:30 pm
Using small, colored pieces of glass, stone, tile and more, create your own 6×6 inch mosaic tile masterpiece. All materials are provided. No experience necessary. We will also meet one of our resident owls up close and personal. Instructor: Mary Gilhuly, Art Director/Co-Founder of Song & Spirit Institute for Peace.
Click here to register to register for Jan 29 SOLD OUT
Click here to register to register for Feb 5 SOLD OUT
Maple Syrup Time
Saturdays, March 5, 12 and 19
Plan on taking a hike through the sugar bush of the Stage Nature Center on one of these three days! Discover how maple trees make sugar and people harvest it. This family-friendly program highlights natural and local history of our region. Tour includes activities to learn more about syrup making.
We will adapt the program as necessary to meet current pandemic guidelines. Watch for further information about program registration on this website and in the Spring issue of Troy Today.
WATCH THIS SPACE – MORE NATURE EDUCATION PROGRAMS COMING SOON!