Cumming Nature Center > Forest School
Field Studies at Cumming Nature Center
From soil science to wildlife management, Field Studies will prepare students to engage thoughtfully with the natural world using scientific methods and their own curiosity to analyze and address real-world problems.
ABOUT FIELD STUDIES
Imagine your middle schooler out at the wetland’s edge, GPS in hand, recording the location of a wildlife camera. Nearby, another student collects bottom sediment with a Ekman Sampler to take back to the nature center for analysis. Imagine your student working with other young teens to contribute to data for a citizen science project in preparation to present their findings at a village meeting. This data helps inform the village’s approach to key environmental issues such as water quality or changes caused by a warming climate.
From soil science to wildlife management, the Field Studies Program at Cumming Nature Center will prepare students to engage thoughtfully with the natural world using scientific methods and their own curiosity to analyze and address real-world problems. They will build their relationship with the natural world through curiosity-driven conversation, hands-on projects, and outdoor skills development, all within a physically safe and emotionally supportive learning environment. Through the Field Studies Program, students cultivate self-reliance, confidence, and problem-solving skills.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Field Studies Program runs from 10am-3:30pm on Wednesdays. Students should expect instructional mornings including lectures, readings, and presentations. Homework in the form of research, writing, or analysis will be assigned most weeks. Students will be outdoors in all types of environments and weather, so proper clothing and gear is of the utmost importance.
2022-23 FIELD STUDIES SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAYS | 10AM-3:30PM
Fall: Wednesdays, September 14 through December 21 (except November 23)
Spring: Wednesdays, January 18 through June 7 (except February 22, March 15, and April 5)
Register For Field Studies
Please register for Field Studies by filling out the form below and paying a $50 application fee (this fee is required for registration and will be applied toward tuition upon acceptance into Field Studies).
The Spring 2023 session of Field Studies is full. Call 585.374.6160 with questions.
Please read the parent handbook before registering your child: DOWNLOAD HANDBOOK.
