Phenology is the study of seasons in nature. Tracking when flowers bloom, when animals migrate, when mushrooms appear, or when anything else happens in nature, helps scientists understand our ecosystem and how it's changing over time. Fall is a great time to study phenology because we can watch the leaves change colors all around us. […]
Come on out for our Nature Club! You’ll have the opportunity to explore the field station, learn about local plants and animals, and spend time with like-minded, nature-loving peers. Bring your friends! Cost: $10 ($8 for Friends of Clifton) Age: Youth grades 6-12; this program is drop off only Weather policy: Rain or shine except in […]
Piedmont Polliwogs is a monthly pre-K program that includes an outdoor story time and short nature walk. Cost: Free! Age: Children ages 2-5, accompanied by a caregiver Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case of extreme weather (e.g. thunderstorm or significant snow fall). Please check your email for updates on the morning of the event. […]
Families with children in grades K-8 are invited to come along as we explore the field station and experience autumn in Virginia. We'll explore the woods to look for changes in the landscape and migrating birds. This program is a wonderful opportunity for families to explore nature together. We pick a different trail to explore […]
For the first time ever, we are offering after-school programs! Students in grades 3-8 are invited to join us on the third Tuesday of every month for an adventure in nature. Activities will vary from month to month and will include science projects, art projects, and lessons in outdoor skills; but every month we will […]
Come on out for our Nature Club! You’ll have the opportunity to explore the field station, learn about local plants and animals, and spend time with like-minded, nature-loving peers. Bring your friends! Cost: $10 ($8 for Friends of the Clifton Institute) Age: Youth grades 6-12; this program is drop off only. Weather policy: Rain or shine except […]
Piedmont Polliwogs is a monthly pre-K program that includes an outdoor story time and short nature walk. Cost: Free! Age: Children ages 2-5, accompanied by a caregiver Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case of extreme weather (e.g. thunderstorm or significant snow fall). Please check your email for updates on the morning of the event. […]
Families with children in grades K-8 are invited to come along as we explore the field station and experience autumn in Virginia. We’ll explore the woods to look for changes in the landscape and migrating birds. This program is a wonderful opportunity for families to explore nature together. We pick a different trail to explore […]
For the first time ever, we are offering after-school programs! Students in grades 3-8 are invited to join us for an adventure in nature. Activities will vary from month to month and will include science projects, art projects, and lessons in outdoor skills; but every month we will spend time outside making friends with each […]
This series, which takes place between January and May, is a chance for young students to dip their toes into 10 different topics as we watch the land around us become green again! Each session will include time spent journaling, learning about science, and going on a hike. The younger group will also be read […]
We are changing up Nature Club! Over 5 sessions beginning in January and running through May, Nature Club will be focused on completing one, big project. Participants will work together to create a map of an uncharted piece of Clifton and build a trail that runs through it. The season will culminate in an unveiling […]
We are changing up After-school Adventure! Over 5 sessions beginning in January and running through May, After-school Adventure will be focused on completing one, big project. Participants will spend the first part of the season exploring different parts of Clifton, taking care to notice special places off the beaten track. Then they will work together […]
Winter is the perfect time to get good looks at ducks! In this program, students will hone their waterfowl identification, learn some of the principles of studying animal behavior, and get to perform their own study! No previous knowledge or skills required--just your curiosity! Cost: $10 ($8 for Friends of the Clifton Institute) Age: Children in […]
Over 9 sessions beginning in September and running through May, the members of Nature Club will work together to create a map of an uncharted piece of the Clifton Institute and build a trail that runs through it. The project will culminate in an unveiling party for the new trail led by the students themselves. […]
We’re offering another year of Nature School! Each class will include a structured learning activity on a particular topic and an exploratory nature walk. For example, in the past we studied vultures, bird eggs and nests, leaf identification, beaver dams, and more. We will repeat some topics from the 2021-2022 school year, but we will […]
Piedmont Polliwogs is a monthly program for pre-K children that includes a lesson on a different topic every month, story time and short nature walk. As of fall 2022, we are changing registration for Polliwogs: instead of signing up month to month, you can sign up for a whole series of monthly programs. This will […]
Home for spring break? Come to our first ever day-long spring break camp, all about vernal pools! Campers will spend a day with Clifton Institute staff studying the animals that live in our vernal pools! Vernal pools are small bodies of water which dry out for part of the year, making them the perfect amphibian […]
During this unique experience, students will explore and carry out their own research project. Young Scientists 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 opportunity is perfect for middle and high school students […]
During Young Explorers camp (previously Piedmont Polliwogs), 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. Each day has a different theme, which is […]
We are in our third full year of offering Nature School! Students meet every other Wednesday from September through May to learn about different natural history subjects through hands-on research, restoration, and exploration. This year, we are extending the duration to be from 9AM – 1PM, so that students will bring a picnic lunch to […]
Piedmont Polliwogs is a monthly program for pre-K children that includes a lesson on a different topic every month, story time and short nature walk. Students get to know each other, grow their independence, and gain confidence in the outdoors with our skilled instructors. The 9-month series will take place on the second Thursday of […]
Piedmont Polliwogs is a monthly program for pre-K children that includes a lesson on a different topic every month, story time and short nature walk. Students get to know each other, grow their independence, and gain confidence in the outdoors with our skilled instructors. The 9-month series will take place on the second Thursday of […]
We are in our third full year of offering Nature School! Students meet every other Wednesday from September through May to learn about different natural history subjects through hands-on research, restoration, and exploration. This year, we are extending the duration to be from 9AM – 1PM, so that students will bring a picnic lunch to […]
We are in our third full year of offering Nature School! Students meet every other Wednesday from September through May to learn about different natural history subjects through hands-on research, restoration, and exploration. This year, we are extending the duration to be from 9AM – 1PM, so that students will bring a picnic lunch to […]
We are in our third full year of offering Nature School! Students meet every other Wednesday from September through May to learn about different natural history subjects through hands-on research, restoration, and exploration. This year, we are extending the duration to be from 9AM – 1PM, so that students will bring a picnic lunch to […]
Piedmont Polliwogs is a monthly program for pre-K children that includes a lesson on a different topic every month, story time and short nature walk. Students get to know each other, grow their independence, and gain confidence in the outdoors with our skilled instructors. The 9-month series will take place on the second Thursday of […]
We are in our third full year of offering Nature School! Students meet every other Wednesday from September through May to learn about different natural history subjects through hands-on research, restoration, and exploration. This year, we are extending the duration to be from 9AM – 1PM, so that students will bring a picnic lunch to […]
We are in our third full year of offering Nature School! Students meet every other Wednesday from September through May to learn about different natural history subjects through hands-on research, restoration, and exploration. This year, we are extending the duration to be from 9AM – 1PM, so that students will bring a picnic lunch to […]
Piedmont Polliwogs is a monthly program for pre-K children that includes a lesson on a different topic every month, story time and short nature walk. Students get to know each other, grow their independence, and gain confidence in the outdoors with our skilled instructors. The 9-month series will take place on the second Thursday of […]
We are in our third full year of offering Nature School! Students meet every other Wednesday from September through May to learn about different natural history subjects through hands-on research, restoration, and exploration. This year, we are extending the duration to be from 9AM – 1PM, so that students will bring a picnic lunch to […]
