Nature Education for Homeschool Students and Teachers (NEHST)
Nature Education for Homeschool Students and Teachers (NEHST) curriculum is divided into 3 semesters – Autumn, Winter and Spring. Each semester includes 3 monthly lessons that build upon the semester’s theme. The monthly lessons are offered on the third Thursday of every month from 10:00am – 1:30pm. Lessons begin with the Autumn Semester on September 18, 2025 and continue until the end of the Spring Semester on May 14, 2026.
Each monthly lesson includes classroom instruction, outdoor activities, scientific experiments and exploration, and related at-home extension activities that can be completed and explored together by the whole family. We use hands-on methods to reinforce students’ abilities in not only science, but also math, language arts, and social studies.
During the lessons students ages 5-13+ and parents are taught together emphasizing multi-age learning and peer assistantship. Students experiencing a lesson for the first time learn the basics of the topic, and students with some previous experience build upon their knowledge and solidify their understanding through more in-depth exposure to the topic.
2025-2026 Monthly Curriculum
Autumn Semester: The Power of Soil
There is so much that happens below the Earth’s surface that helps farmers and gardeners have a successful year. From decomposers, to overwintering pollinators, to helpful gardening practices and native plants. Students will be able to discover the power of soil!
Thursday, September 18
Topic: Sustainable Farming
Location: Reed’s Farm* (Location Subject to Change)
Farming today has a big impact on our planet – it has impacts on surrounding water, land use, and erosion, to name a few. This month, students will learn about eco-friendly ways to grow crops and raise animals without harming the environment around them. We will get the chance to visit a local farm and talk to farmers to see what they do to help the environment while providing for the community.
Thursday, October 16
Topic: Gardening 101
Location: Garrett Family Preserve at Cape Island Creek
Ready, set, grow! Learn what it takes to be a gardener – from having a greenhouse to knowing what native plant species live here and how to help pollinators. Get hands on experience at seed starting, greenhouse building, and constructing pollinator houses.
Thursday, November 20
Topic: The Magic of Mushrooms
Location: The Wetlands Institute
Nature’s recyclers help break down plant and animal matter to help put essential nutrients back into the environment for plants to grow. Earthworms, pill bugs, and mushrooms are just some of the decomposers that will be covered this month. Come join us in getting our hands dirty to learn the underground magic behind these fascinating creatures!
Winter Semester: Exploring the Sciences
Ologies – there’s hundreds of them! This semester students will learn about what happens in the skies above, seas below, and in the woods around them. They will have a better understanding of the world around them and careers available to them within it.
Thursday, December 18
Topic: Meteorology
Location: The Wetlands Institute
Predicting the weather is not as easy as it sounds. There are many factors and variables involved in developing a prediction. Students will learn about different weather phenomena, as well as see firsthand what it takes to be a meteorologist.
Thursday, January 15
Topic: Marine Biology
Location: The Wetlands Institute
Saltwater covers about two-thirds of our planet’s surface and contains many different marine ecosystems. Discover the wonders of marine biology this month by exploring different plants and animals that call the ocean and salt marshes their home, from charismatic megafauna to the humblest plankton, and what we can do to help them!
Thursday, February 19
Topic: Zoology
Location: The Wetlands Institute
Zoology is the study of animals of all shapes and sizes, from the tiniest insects to the largest mammals. Students will discover how different animals interact with each other and the environment they live in, what animals can produce their own light, and how animals communicate with each other.
Spring Semester: Biomes
Rainforest, tundra, desert – they may seem like they have nothing in common, but rest assured they do! Biomes occur all over the world and this semester students will get the opportunity to explore the different ecosystems that are local to New Jersey.
Thursday, March 19
Topic: In Between the Extremes
Location: South Cape May Meadows
Explore different biomes, from the ones found in Cape May County to the ones many miles away. What allows animals to live in these different environments? What makes these biomes special? What apex predators live in these conditions? Discover all that and everything else in between the extremes.
Thursday, April 16
Topic: Forest Fun
Location: Belleplain State Forest
Do you ever wonder how old a forest is? Or, if there are different types of forest? How about the biodiversity within a forest? Well, this month, we will answer these questions and many more with Forest Fun at Belleplain State Forest.
Date Change: Thursday, May 14
Topic: Wet and Wild
Location: Cape May Point State Park
Cape May Point State Park has both the wet and the wild! Get a chance to see both freshwater and marine environments in action by exploring their differences, including the unique creatures and plant adaptations that make these biomes special.
Discounted Semester Pricing: Each semester includes 3 monthly, 3-hour lessons and costs $36/per participating student. Advanced registration is required. Please call (609) 368-1211 to register at least 48 hours in advance. Payment is required in full at the time of registration and payment is nonrefundable. Monthly lessons will not be cancelled due to low enrollment, but may be rescheduled due to inclement weather.
Regular Monthly Pricing: Although each lesson tends to build on its predecessors, you can pick and choose the monthly lessons best suited to your child. The price of each monthly 3-hour lesson is $15/per participating student. Advanced registration is required. Please call (609) 368-1211 to register at least 48 hours in advance. Payment is required in full at the time of registration and payment is nonrefundable. Monthly lessons will not be cancelled due to low enrollment, but may be rescheduled due to inclement weather.
Program Length and Time: Programs occur from 10:00am – 1:30pm and include 3 hours of active lesson and a 30 minute break. Lessons start promptly at 10:00am and will occur rain or shine, hot or cold! Please have children dress for the weather, be prepared to go outside rain, snow or shine and wear clothes that can get wet and/or muddy!
Special COVID-19 Considerations: As you prepare for your visit, please know that masking is optional at The Wetlands Institute and we respect individual choice related to mask wearing. For the safety of others, please do not visit The Wetlands Institute if you are feeling ill.
Traveling from a farther distance? Consider planning “A Day at The Wetlands Institute” – pack snacks or a picnic lunch and use the afternoon time after the homeschool lesson has been conducted with your child(ren) to explore the exhibits and the outdoor trails. The marsh is an ever-changing ecosystem and our elevated walkway and dock provide countless opportunities for self-exploration and learning!
Please Note: To make the most out of the experience and to minimize distractions for registered children, we ask that siblings under 5 be cared for separately from the rest of the class. It is the accompanying adult’s responsibility to monitor their behavior during the program. This is not a drop-off program. Adults responsible for the registered children must stay in the area in case of emergencies or behavioral issues.
Interested in a special homeschool program for your group? We can accommodate homeschool groups of a minimum of 10 students per program. Please email or call our Environmental Educator, Francesca Jacobs, at fjacobs@wetlandsinstitute.org with any questions or to schedule a special time and date for your group.
Looking for more than a 3 hour experience?
We now offer full immersion overnight programs for your homeschool group of 10 or more children.
Complete program description: Overnight Program