Programs at the Nature Center
Enrich your classroom curriculum with a unique learning experience! The Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, minutes from the George Washington Bridge, has 150 acres of forest and field habitats, two ponds and a scenic brook. Lessons use the outdoors as a classroom and include a focused walk during which nature concepts are discussed and illustrated through hands-on activities. Each lesson includes pre-trip and post-trip activity suggestions and satisfies a variety of New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards.

ABC Discovery   Pre-K to Grade 2
1 - 1½ Hours, Spring and Fall
The perfect introductory nature experience. During a guided walk, children will learn how to stay safe and have fun in the outdoors while being exposed to the wonders of nature.

Discover Nature   Grades K - 2
1 - 1½ Hours, Spring and Fall
Children explore the textures, sights, sounds, and smells of the forest and meadow through this sensory-oriented lesson.

Fascinating Forest   Grades 1 - 4
1½ - 2 Hours, Spring and Fall
Discover the forest habitat and its organisms, from the forest floor to the tree canopy with an emphasis on a forest’s main component—trees.

Who Lives Here?   Grades 2 - 4
1½ - 2 Hours, Spring and Fall
Learn what all plants, animals, and people need to survive and explore the differences between forest, meadow, and pond habitats. Older children will complete a mini-study of each habitat.

Remarkable Rocks  Grades 2 - 6
11/2 – 2 Hours, Spring and Fall
Students will become Junior Geologists to determine the three different families of rocks by their characteristics, how rocks change over time and how people use rocks in everyday life in this fun and engaging introductory geology program.

Reasons for Seasons   Grades 3 - 6
1½ - 2 Hours, Fall only 
Which animals migrate and which hibernate? Observe the plants and animals of Flat Rock Brook as they change their behavior to prepare for winter.

Staying Alive   Grades 3 - 7  
1½ - 2 Hours, Spring and Fall
How do plants and animals survive predators on the prowl or severe weather? Learn about physical and behavioral adaptations that help wildlife survive.

Wilderness Survival   Grades 3 - 8
1½ -2 Hours, Spring and Fall
This program is a fun and interesting introduction to wilderness survival techniques, while providing an opportunity for students to improve their interpersonal skills.

Group Challenge   Grades 3 - 12
1½- 2 Hours, Spring, Fall, and Winter
Activites focus on the skills needed to be a successful group member and provide students with an opportunity to practice those skills in problem solving situations. A great way to make your group a cohesive one!

Win, Lose, or Draw   Grades 4 - 6
1½ - 2 Hours, Spring and Fall
Plants and animals are in constant competition with each other. Explore Flat Rock Brook, to look for evidence of food webs, commensalism, parasitism, and mutualism.

The Key to Trees  Grades 4-8
1 ½-2 Hours, Spring and Fall
Hone classification and observation skills by using a simple key, designed especially for our park, to identify common tree species. Examine the bark, leaves, and seeds that make each tree unique.

Pond Ecology   Grades 5 - 8
1½- 2 Hours, Spring and Fall
Student scientists will be given the mission of assessing the health of our pond. Groups will collect specimens and conduct chemical tests to gather data on the biotic and abiotic components of the habitat before reaching their conclusions.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle   Grades 6-12
1½ - 2 Hours, Spring and Fall
In this informative and engaging program, students will learn how to reduce, reuse, and recycle the products we use in our everyday lives through a series of activities and demonstrations.


Back to top