Youth Programs
April Break Camp for K-3rd Grade
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontSpring is a great time to explore the Nature Center. Children in grades K-3 join us for one, two or three days of spring nature adventures and activities. We will make art using natural materials, explore the fields and forest for signs of wildlife, try our hands at wild edible cooking and give back to the land in celebration of Earth Day.
The Caterpillar Lab – Caterpillar Camps!
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontTwo-hour camps | For children ages 6-13 | Perfect for homeschoolers | Take a journey into the incredible lives of caterpillars. Part living nature museum and part wildlife safari, this hands-on exploration with The Caterpillar Lab and NBNC staff brings kids up close and personal with some of the weirdest and wildest critters in the woods. We’ll hold huge caterpillars, play hide-and-seek with caterpillars disguised as twigs and bird poop, witness metamorphosis, and adventure through the fields and forests to discover specimens in the wild.
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup – Fall Session
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontRobin’s Nest Nature Playgroup is a free, weekly activity for families to gather, learn, and play in nature. Guided by the idea that children need to spend ample time outdoors, we offer a community experience in the world of nature and will model ways the natural environment can be used as a tool for learning and play.
ECO Homeschool Program (Ages 6-12) – Winter Session
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontOur full-day ECO Homeschool program provides a meaningful and fun learning environment based in environmental education and a mentorship model. Each Monday, the woods and fields of North Branch Nature Center will be our classroom, where students will engage with the landscape through standards-based lessons led by our talented ECO education staff. Each session will include games, songs, stories, and activities designed to help students engage with our land and the organisms who share it.
ECO Homeschool Program (Ages 6-12) – Early Spring Session
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontOur full-day ECO Homeschool program provides a meaningful and fun learning environment based in environmental education and a mentorship model.
Each Monday, the woods and fields of North Branch Nature Center will be our classroom, where students will engage with the landscape through standards-based lessons led by our talented ECO education staff. Each session will include games, songs, stories, and activities designed to help students engage with our land and the organisms who share it.
Trekkers & Explorers After-School Program (Spring 2022)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontLet your kids be kids at NBNC. Our Explorers and Trekkers programs offer kids time to explore the woods and fields, play stealth and awareness games, and learn outdoor skills with their peers.
Explorers (6-8 years old) are playful adventurers. One week your child might forage for wild edibles and cook over an open fire, while the next week might find them deep in the woods, building shelters.
Trekkers (9-13 years old) adopt an off-trail mentality, using the local landscape to push their limits while practicing outdoor living skills such as tracking and fire-starting.
April Break Camp for Ages 5-8
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontSpring is a great time to explore the Nature Center. Children ages 5-8 are invited to join us for a week of spring nature adventures and explorations. We’ll make art using natural materials, explore the fields and forest for signs of wildlife, try our hands at wild edible cooking and give back to the land in celebration of Earth Day.
ECO Homeschool Program (Ages 6-12) – Late Spring Session
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontInspired by ECO, our full-day ECO Homeschool program provides a meaningful and fun learning environment based in environmental education and a mentorship model.
Each Monday, the woods and fields of North Branch Nature Center will be our classroom, where students will engage with the landscape through standards-based lessons led by our talented ECO education staff. Each session will include games, songs, stories, and activities designed to help students engage with our land and the organisms who share it.
Summer Saturday River Walks (Family Friendly!)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontCool off this summer by exploring the water with NBNC naturalist educators on Saturday mornings in July. We’ll travel up and down the shallow reaches of the North Branch River in search of aquatic critters like fish, mussels, insects, beavers, and maybe even otters and mink. We’ll use nets, jars, traps, and even snorkels to learn why the North Branch supports so much life, and what we can do to better care for our waterways and watersheds. A casual nature walk at the river! (Led by Ken Benton, NBNC Director of Education)
ECO Homeschool (Ages 6-12) Early Fall Session
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontInspired by ECO, our full-day ECO Homeschool program provides a meaningful and fun learning environment based in environmental education and a mentorship model.
Each Monday, the woods and fields of North Branch Nature Center will be our classroom, where students will learn by doing, using all five senses to engage with the landscape through standards-based lessons led by our talented ECO Education staff. ECO Homeschool Sessions will consist of age appropriate games, songs, stories, and activities that are designed to help students directly engage with the natural world and the organisms that we share this land with.
Trekkers & Explorers Afterschool Program (Fall 2022)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontLet your kids be kids at NBNC. Our Explorers and Trekkers programs offer kids time to explore the woods and fields, play stealth and awareness games, and learn outdoor skills with their peers. Both age groups (6-8 and 9-13) focus on learning by doing, using all five senses. Thoughtful and loosely directed play in the woods helps kids develop a sense of place while unwinding with a peer group. Through cooperative games, exploration of various habitats, and team-building challenge projects, Trekkers and Explorers build a communal love for the outdoors, making NBNC the place to be after school!
Owl Banding Youth Overnight
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontAges 10 - 15 | Registration required October 14 at 7 PM to 7 AM October 15 Group size limited to 12. Donations (of any amount) requested during registration or…
ECO Homeschool (Aged 6 – 12) Late Fall Session
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontInspired by ECO, our full-day ECO Homeschool program provides a meaningful and fun learning environment based in environmental education and a mentorship model.
Each Monday, the woods and fields of North Branch Nature Center will be our classroom, where students will learn by doing, using all five senses to engage with the landscape through standards-based lessons led by our talented ECO Education staff. ECO Homeschool Sessions will consist of age appropriate games, songs, stories, and activities that are designed to help students directly engage with the natural world and the organisms that we share this land with.
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontRobin’s Nest Nature Playgroup is a free activity for families to gather, learn, and play in nature. Guided by the idea that children need to spend ample time outdoors, we offer a community experience in the world of nature and will model ways the natural environment can be used as a tool for learning and play.
ECO Homeschool (Aged 6 – 12) Winter Session
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontInspired by ECO, our full-day ECO Homeschool program provides a meaningful and fun learning environment based in environmental education and a mentorship model.
Each Monday, the woods and fields of North Branch Nature Center will be our classroom, where students will learn by doing, using all five senses to engage with the landscape through standards-based lessons led by our talented ECO Education staff. ECO Homeschool Sessions will consist of age appropriate games, songs, stories, and activities that are designed to help students directly engage with the natural world and the organisms that we share this land with.
Winter Willows – Nature Retreat in the Northeast Kingdom
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, Vermont**For children in 6th through 8th grade who identify as girls, nonbinary, genderqueer, and/or trans.** Explore what it means to live on and with the land in the winter wonderland of the Nulhegan Basin! Our experience will be tailored to the interests of participants. Activities could include: tool crafting, weaving, dream pillow making, animal tracking, fire by friction, snowshoeing or skiing in the woods, cooking on the wood stove or fire, and star gazing. This two-night retreat will have us exploring the snowy wonderland by day, and relaxing fireside in a warm and cozy winter cabin by night.
ECO Homeschool Program (Ages 6-12) – Spring Session
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontAges 6-8 and 9-12 | Our ECO (Educating Children Outdoors) Homeschool program provides a meaningful and fun learning environment in which participants are mentored in social and environmental stewardship. Each Monday, the woods and fields of North Branch Nature Center will be our classroom, where students will engage with the landscape through standards-based lessons led by our talented ECO education staff. Each session will include games, songs, stories, and activities designed to help students engage with our land and the organisms who share it.
Trekkers & Explorers After-School Program (Spring 2023)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontLet your kids be kids at NBNC. Our Explorers and Trekkers programs offer kids time to explore the woods and fields, play stealth and awareness games, and learn outdoor skills with their peers.
Explorers (6-8 years old) are playful adventurers. One week your child might forage for wild edibles and cook over an open fire, while the next week might find them deep in the woods, building shelters.
Trekkers (9-13 years old) adopt an off-trail mentality, using the local landscape to push their limits while practicing outdoor living skills such as tracking and fire-starting.
April Break Camp 2023 (K-3rd grade)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontSpring is a great time to explore the Nature Center. Children ages 5-8 are invited to join us for a week of spring nature adventures and explorations. We’ll make art using natural materials, explore the fields and forest for signs of wildlife, try our hands at wild edible cooking and give back to the land in celebration of spring.
Backpacking in the Green Mountains (Grades 7-9)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontOn this 5 day backpacking trip, our team of participants will learn the basics of wilderness safety, backpacking/camping techniques, and navigation along with camp craft such as cooking, site selection, Leave-No-Trace ethics, and Team & Leadership skills.
Paddling in the Adirondacks (Grades 7-9)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontOn this 5 day canoe trip, our team of participants will learn boating safety, paddling techniques, and navigation along with camp craft such as cooking, site selection, Leave-No-Trace ethics, and Team & Leadership skills.
Monarch Butterfly Tagging (Cancelled)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin NBNC naturalists as we search for monarch butterflies around the nature center. Learn about their amazing migration and life cycle while we tag and measure the butterflies as part of Monarch Watch, the nationwide community science project that monitors this declining species.
ECO Homeschool (Aged 6 – 12) Early Fall Session
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontEach Monday, the woods and fields of North Branch Nature Center will be our classroom, where students will learn by doing, using all five senses to engage with the landscape through standards-based lessons led by our talented ECO Education staff. ECO Homeschool Sessions will consist of age appropriate games, songs, stories, and activities that are designed to help students directly engage with the natural world and the organisms that we share this land with.
Trekkers & Explorers Afterschool Program (Fall 2023)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontLet your kids be kids at NBNC. Our Explorers and Trekkers programs offer kids time to explore the woods and fields, play stealth and awareness games, and learn outdoor skills with their peers. Both age groups (6-8 and 9-13) focus on learning by doing, using all five senses. Thoughtful and loosely directed play in the woods helps kids develop a sense of place while unwinding with a peer group. Through cooperative games, exploration of various habitats, and team-building challenge projects, Trekkers and Explorers build a communal love for the outdoors, making NBNC the place to be after school!
Mason Goes Mushrooming (FULL)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontAfter a short mushroom meander on the trails, Melany Kahn offers an animated reading of a first-of-its-kind children’s foraging adventure book, Mason Goes Mushrooming. The reading will be followed by an interactive Q&A. Melany will have a selection of wild and cultivated mushrooms available for the kids and their adults to discover. They will be able to touch, smell, and learn the different traits of mushrooms. A cooking demo and tasting with Melany sharing how to get that delicious umami flavor will round out the afternoon.
Owl Banding Youth Overnight
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontStay up late with NBNC educators and naturalists as we capture, tag, and release these charismatic pint-sized predators. Owls and pizza included!
ECO Homeschool (Aged 6 – 12) Late Fall Session
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontEach Monday, the woods and fields of North Branch Nature Center will be our classroom, where students will learn by doing, using all five senses to engage with the landscape through standards-based lessons led by our talented ECO Education staff. ECO Homeschool Sessions will consist of age appropriate games, songs, stories, and activities that are designed to help students directly engage with the natural world and the organisms that we share this land with.
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup – CANCELLED
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup is a free, weekly activity for families to gather, learn, and play in nature.
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup is a free, weekly activity for families to gather, learn, and play in nature.
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontRobin’s Nest Nature Playgroup is a free, weekly activity for families to gather, learn, and play in nature.
Tropical Panama for Teens
Our expert educators and Panama's premiere wildlife guides have worked together to build this unforgettable journey, designed with the goal of kindling a passion for nature connection and wildness that will last a lifetime.
Winter Willows – Nature Retreat in the Northeast Kingdom
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, Vermont**For 6th - 8th graders who identify as girls, nonbinary, genderqueer, and/or trans.** Explore the winter wonderland of the Nulhegan Basin! Our experience will be tailored to the interests of participants. Activities could include: tool crafting, weaving, dream pillow making, animal tracking, fire by friction, snowshoeing or skiing in the woods, cooking on the wood stove or fire, and star gazing. This two-night retreat will have us exploring the snowy wonderland by day, and relaxing fireside in a warm and cozy winter cabin by night.
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup (Winter Session)
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup is a free, weekly activity for families to gather, learn, and play in nature.
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontRobin’s Nest Nature Playgroup is a free, weekly activity for families to gather, learn, and play in nature.
