By Avery Cotton
Tucked away on Oenoke Ridge, down a long driveway and adjoining a stretch of stone walls, lies the New Canaan Nature Center (NCNC). Established in 1960, the Nature Center quickly gained a significant presence in town, particularly after its nature-based preschool was founded in 1967 – the oldest of its kind in the nation. NCNC hosts an array of programs, ranging from workshops for adults to guided walks, under the overarching mission of “inspiring people of all ages to respect, protect, and enjoy the world of nature.”
One summertime staple of NCNC’s diverse offerings is its camp for environmentally-oriented youth. “The kids are outside most days, doing activities like hiking in the woods, catching frogs, and looking for salamanders and turtles,” Senior Naturalist Frank Gallo said. “I work with the Adventure Camp, which provides day trips and weekly programming with different themes.”’
According to Frank, NCNC’s summer camp harnesses creative methods to foster kids’ love of the natural world. “One of the kids’ favorite themes is ID Olympics, in which they’ll attempt to identify 175 species of plants and animals throughout the week by visiting different habitats across the state,” Frank said. “We also have a Survivor Week, which involves teaching outdoor survival skills like tying knots and building shelters, and culminates in a timed survivor challenge.”
Over many years, Frank has imparted his knowledge of the outdoors to countless campers and watched many kids grow into budding naturalists. “In some cases, I’ve had parents as campers many years ago who have now brought their own kids to camp, which is very special,” Frank said. “As an environmental educator, it can be hard to know what sort of impact you have on your students. But when I’ve seen kids return to camp year after year, I can really see their growth, and it’s a privilege.”
While the camp is designed for kids to have fun, the entire curriculum revolves around educational components that teach useful life skills. “This year, a group of campers were canoeing and were instructed to tie the boats,” Frank said. “They successfully used the knots they’d learned in a previous week to do so, which is very impressive given that remembering how to tie knots can be quite difficult.” Through his work, Frank seeks to help kids make the connection between why they’re learning a certain skill and how they can apply it to real-life scenarios.
Education Program Manager Aidan Murphey believes NCNC’s summer camp is more successful now than ever. “In the last few years, we’ve brought more campers, staff, and happiness to our Nature Center community,” Aidan said. “I’m really proud of the progress our team has made.”
Aside from its summer camp programming, NCNC also offers night hike events. According to Aidan, “We have two night hikes this summer: the Night of 1000 Fireflies on July 26, and the Creatures of the Night Hike on August 23.” The first event features a guided walk through the Nature Center grounds, capped off by a glittering firefly display in the meadows, while the second involves an interactive sensory adventure paired with roasting marshmallows around the campfire.
Summer is also a ripe time for undertaking regular maintenance and stewardship. “We work with a local landscape architect company to conduct habitat remediation, especially during the warmer months,” Frank said. “The Nature Center doesn’t use pesticides or herbicides, so we try natural methods of removing invasives. We work on different areas on the grounds, clearing invasive species and replacing them with native ones.”
Visitors should also stay tuned for the fall, during which seasonal programming will ramp up. “We celebrate apple cider season with Cider Saturday on September 27, and host our most popular event – the annual Fall Fair – from October 10-12,” Aidan said. These community events create memorable experiences for local families but also serve as important fundraisers, helping the Nature Center advance its mission and expand its community impact.
Regardless of the season, NCNC constantly works to build ties to like-minded organizations and community partners. “We have a variety of environmental education programs at schools, libraries, and camps throughout Fairfield and Westchester Counties, and even New York City,” Executive Director Bill Flynn said. “The Nature Center is always partnering with other local nonprofits and groups. Currently, we’re planning an ecological survey project at the Browne Wildlife Sanctuary in partnership with the New Canaan Land Trust.”
Through collaborating with community groups, hosting seasonal events, and providing educational programs that have left a mark on hundreds of children, the Nature Center has distinguished itself as an environmental champion. Bill sums up NCNC’s ethos well: “Every NCNC program, from our preschool to our summer camp, is another opportunity to connect people with nature.”
