Education
at The Clifton Institute
Education
at The Clifton Institute
K-12 School Programs
We invite K-12 school groups and homeschool groups to visit us for field trips. Choose an experience from a variety of programs, each of which focuses on a particular aspect of the natural world, like amphibians or water systems, and each of which targets particular grade-specific SOLs.
We spend part of every program on a guided hike, exploring and observing different parts of the field station. We complement the hike with games and activities that teach concepts relevant to that program’s theme.
We have multiple programs available for each grade level, so your class can visit us multiple times a year without repeating material. Students are also able to visit us year after year as they progress from one grade to the next.
In elementary school, we want to teach the students the basics of ecology and evolution, while encouraging them to engage in critical thinking, to recognize patterns in nature, to formulate questions, and to describe their observations to us and their peers.
As students move up to middle school, we start to teach them about the tools and techniques scientists use to study biology, hydrology, geology, and other sciences.
In high school, we guide the students toward conducting independent studies on the aspects of the field station that interest them the most.
Check out the programs we offer in our K-8 Program Guide. We can accommodate groups of up to 100 students at a time (or 3 school buses). Please fill out this Program Request Form and email it to our Education Associate, Alison Zak, at azak@cliftoninstitute.org to schedule a trip today.
Second grade students observe a spicebush swallowtail caterpillar.
Monthly Family Hikes
We offer two monthly series to give young naturalists and their families the opportunity to get outside and learn about the northern Virginia Piedmont ecosystem.
YHikes! (youth hikes) is for children ages 6 and up. During this program, we explore the field station together and learn about the plants, animals, and fungi that live here. You never know what we’ll find!
Families at YHikes! have a quiet moment
Piedmont Polliwogs is for children ages 2-5, accompanied by a parent/caregiver. Each program will include outdoor story time, a quick nature walk, and an activity or craft project related to the theme.
YHikes! and Piedmont Polliwogs are FREE to attend, but please register: dates and times can be found on our calendar. If it’s your first time attending one of our programs, you can save time by filling out our registration and liability form and bringing it with you when you visit!
Even the youngest Polliwogs get a pair of binoculars to look at birds, bugs, feet…
Summer Camps
We will hold four week-long sessions of camp in 2020 for children interested in spending time outside and learning about nature. Read on for general information about our camps. We will post information about dates and how to apply in early 2020.
Young Explorers Summer Day Camp
Ages: 6-12
Hours: 9am- 4pm
Fee: $175 per camper
Each day at Young Explorers camp, children will explore the field station with our naturalists and learn about the plants and animals that live in the northern Virginia Piedmont. Campers will then participate in preparing lunch from local and healthy ingredients. In the afternoon, children will enjoy crafts and games that will expand their knowledge of ecology and the environment. Campers will gain a deep understanding of our natural surroundings and the confidence they need to continue spending time outdoors for years to come.
Piedmont Polliwogs Half-Day Summer Camp
Ages: 3-5 (accompanied by an adult caregiver)
Hours: 9am- 12pm
Fee: $95 per camper
During Piedmont Polliwogs camp, your early learner will explore and engage with nature on our beautiful 900-acre field station. We aim to inspire feelings of curiosity and wonder for the natural world, while promoting healthy minds and bodies as children play and learn outside. A typical morning will include an outdoor story time, a short nature walk, snack time (please bring snack from home), and a craft project or related activity.
Young Scientists Summer Day Camp
Ages: 15-18
Hours: 9am- 4pm
Fee: $225 per camper
At Young Scientists Camp, your child will explore and carry out a research project. Students will engage in inquiry-based, hands-on learning as they develop their own research questions, collect and analyze data, and present their results, all under the guidance of an experienced mentor. This camp offers the opportunity for high school students to experience field work and to learn about the ecology of the northern Virginia Piedmont in the company of other young scientists. We are looking for talented and motivated students interested in studying the environmental and natural sciences and in spending the week outside on our beautiful 900-acre field station.
Campers look for butterflies on native Monarda fistulosa.
College and University
We invite teachers and professors from colleges and universities to use the field station as an extension of their classrooms. Our field station is ideally situated to serve as an outdoor laboratory. We are happy to provide a lecture or a guided tour of the field station. We are also happy to let you explore and study the property on your own.
Students from American University study our grasslands.
We use iNaturalist to document EVERY species (of plant, animal, fungi, and everything else) that is found on the field station.
The iNaturalist app is an easy and engaging way for students to contribute to a long-term scientific project. Let us know if you or your students would like to get involved!
Internships
We provide internships for high school and college students. We love having young people to help with our scientific research projects, environmental education programs, and conservation efforts. Whatever your background, we will do our best to work with you to design a project that fits your skills and interests.
If you are interested in doing an internship with us, please read and fill out the form here and then email it to us.
A high school intern identifies a crayfish
Public Programs
Through our public programs, members of our community of all ages have the opportunity to visit the field station, to learn about ecology and conservation, and to engage with other people who are interested in natural history and spending time outdoors.
We host a series of public programs throughout the year. Some programs focus on a particular type of organism, like American Woodcocks, butterflies, or fungi. Others focus on a particular way of experiencing nature, like photography, nature journaling, or mindfulness practices.
You can find our full calendar of events here. You can find information about how to participate in our citizen science events here.
We hope these programs teach you a bit about the natural history of our property and of the area and inspire you to continue spending time outside learning about nature.
The Warrenton Garden Club goes for a walk in our fields.
