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Nature Club

After School Programs

Birding Club

For 2nd through 3rd-grade students at the Lafayette Nature Center

Where birds, friends, and a love for nature take flight 🪶

Birding Club is an after-school program where 2nd and 3rd graders use birdwatching as a way to explore and learn about the land.

Through hands-on observation and playful exploration, students:

  • Spot, identify, and get to know our winged neighbors

  • Unplug while building wilderness and naturalist skills, growing their connection to the outdoors

  • Explore the habitats birds share with us

  • Make friends who share their curiosity

Each sighting opens deeper questions about the land, its ecosystems, and our role as stewards.

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Nature Club FAQ

  • Yes. Parents bring their child to the site and pick them up. There is no school bus transportation. This lets us welcome kids from any school in the area.

  • Drop-off runs 3:15–3:30 (soft start, arrive anytime in that window). Pickup is at 5:00. Both are at the Lafayette Nature Center, not at school.

  • We teach everything from the ground up. Week 1 starts with binocular usage, and every skill builds on the last. No experience needed, just curiosity.

  • All staff are trained in risk management, and every session includes trail agreements and tool-safety instruction before any projects or building begins.

  • Every week has a shelter-based lab for when the weather is truly unsafe.

    We will go out in light rain, in fact, many birders find that after a rain, birds may be more active and approachable.

  • Weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes. We provide binoculars, journals, tools, and all materials. Personal binoculars are welcomed. A water bottle and snack are recommended.

  • Yes. Every kid has the option to whittle a wander stick, and they also help build and install a real nest box that they can take home or leave at the LNC. They'll take the wander stick home at the end of the season.

  • The season arc is designed so each session stands on its own. Missing a week won't leave them lost. The opening circle and Bird of the Day bring everyone back in.

  • Drop-off is designed as a parent-free experience so kids build independence and focus. We share highlights at pickup, and you can ask your child about the Bird of the Day on the way home!

Questions? Please reach out to us at naturecenterprograms@thornenature.org or 303.499.3647.