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 our curriculum 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 Education Program Guide.
Email our Education Associate, Alison Zak, at azak@cliftoninstitute.org to schedule a program.
We provide environmental education to people of all ages.
Our education programs foster scientific proficiency and critical thinking. They also promote a sense of curiosity and wonder in nature.
Participants in our programs are encouraged to be physically active, intellectually engaged, and mindfully observant, improving both their physical and mental health.
After experiencing the beauty of the northern Piedmont ecosystem, our visitors are inspired to take better care of the natural world, both locally and globally.
Monthly Youth Programs
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!
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!
Summer Camps 2019
We will hold four week-long sessions of camp this summer for children interested in spending time outside and learning about nature.
Young Explorers Summer Day Camp
Ages: 6-12
Dates: July 8-12 and July 29- August 2
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. Apply to enroll your child(ren) using this form: Young Explorers Summer Day Camp Application
Piedmont Polliwogs Half-Day Summer Camp
Ages: 3-5 (accompanied by an adult caregiver)
Dates: July 15-19
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. Apply to enroll your child(ren) using this form: Piedmont Polliwogs Half-Day Summer Camp Application
Young Scientists Summer Day Camp
Ages: 15-18
Dates: June 17-22
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. Apply to enroll your child(ren) using this form: Young Scientists Summer Day Camp Application
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.
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. If you are working on completing a community service requirement for your high school, college, or university, we have several projects around the field station for which we need volunteers. For example, we are looking for interns to help with our education programs, to help with our restoration projects, and to monitor bird boxes. We are also happy to work with interns on research projects. Either way, we will do our best to work with you to design a project that fits your skills and interests.
If you are interested in conducting an internship with us, please read this page and then get in touch.
A highschool intern collects and identifies native 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 looking at nature, like photography, nature journaling, or camera trapping.
We also hold regular bird, butterfly, and dragonfly walks. 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.
Is there something you’re interested in learning about that you don’t see on our calendar?
Contact Us and we can work to put together a program that will cover that topic.
