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 19, 2024 and continue until the end of the Spring Semester on May 15, 2025.
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.
2024-2025 Monthly Curriculum Coming September 1, 2024. Please Check Back!
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 Kelianne O’Shea, Environmental Educator at koshea@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