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Fuel Their Love For The Outdoors

Nature Programs for Homeschool, Afterschool, and Vacation Week Adventurers!

The mud will wash off, but the memories last a lifetime…

At North Shore Nature Programs, our student programs are designed to get your child outdoors, engaging with every ounce of their curiosity and excitement for nature.

We offer a variety of programs for students ages 6-12:

Early release days
Afterschool programs
Homeschool students
Vacation week programs

Our knowledgeable staff will get them outside exploring in no time!

two muddy boys having fun at at North Shore Nature Programs camp

When the bell declares “School’s Out!”...

Info for the 2025-26 School Year coming soon!

It’s time to get out in nature! Our afterschool programs offer an engaging and energetic outlet for those early release days.

Our programming coincides with the Topsfield, Boxford, and Georgetown school districts early release.

Students bring their lunch, water bottles, and come dressed for the weather! We take care of the fun!

Nature-based exploration
Activities and games
Education every step of the way
Plenty of time for free play!

Choose from four exciting themes or register your child for them all: Backyard Birds, Survival, Senses, and Life Under a Log Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot today!

There’s no better way to end a day than exploring the outdoors…

Choose from our two unique locations and whichever day works best for you:

Time: 3:30-5:00pm

Breakheart Reservation (Wakefield, MA)

Tuesdays: September 16 - December 9 (12 weeks)

Camp Denison (Georgetown, MA)

Thursdays, September 18 - December 11 (12 weeks)

Fee: $300 per session

Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot today!

We will also be running Horizons after school programs at the Steward and Cole Schools. To register for those programs, click here.

Our After School Adventures programs are a great way for your child to unwind and release some extra energy after a long day in the classroom.

Drop your child off from 3:30-5pm at one of our two exploration launchpads, and we’ll supply the fun!

Freedom to explore
Develop new skills and learn the basics of wilderness survival
Education every step of the way from our veteran naturalists
Games, activities, and fun!

Where nature is part of the curriculum!

Thursday Morning Homeschool

Ages 6-10

Thursdays, September 18 - November 6

(8 weeks)

10am-12pm

Location: Camp Denison, Georgetown

Fee: $425

September 18 - Super Senses

September 25 - Aquatic Adaptations

October 2 - Insect Locomotion

October 9 - Sting, Slime, and Stink

October 16 - Predator v. Prey

October 23 - Secret Hideouts

October 30 - Fur, Feather, and Scales

November 6 - Winter is Coming

November 12 - make up date

In this 8-week session, students will learn about animal adaptations! Students will search for native species and then take a closer look at how they defend themselves, use their senses, find food, breathe underwater, and use legs/wings/fins to move through their environments.

The program includes structured lesson time along with about 30 minutes of unstructured play at the end of the session. Please have your child dressed for the weather as we will be outside for most of the program.

Our NSNP’s homeschool programs and classes help to instill a love of nature in students while facilitating positive social interactions within the group.

Your child is invited to join us for:

Group games and warmups
Snack time
Focused exploration connected to a daily theme
Hands-on and inquiry-driven learning
Free play and exploration

Students will be encouraged to practice specific wilderness skills, participate with the group, and engage in individual exploration.

Nature offers the ultimate vacation!

young girl at North Shore Nature Programs

Location: Camp Denison (Georgetown, MA)

Dates: February 17 - 20

Times: 9am-3pm

Ages: 6-10 years old

Fee: $85/day

Daily schedule and registration will open in December

We offer programs over December, February, and April school breaks.

Due to space restrictions, our group will be capped at 12 students.

Program participants will bring their own snacks and lunches along with appropriate outdoor gear. A full list of what to bring will be sent to those who register.

Counselors: Morgan Davidson, Cori Bourdon

Where nature is part of the curriculum!

Thursday Learning Collaborative

Ages 11-14

Thursdays, September 25 - December 18

10am-3pm

Location: Camp Denison, Georgetown

Fee: $540

Daily Schedule

10am-11:30am

Learning About Your Land
Students will embark upon a long-term project during which they will select a plot within the forest that they will commit to study. Students will choose one plant and one animal found within their plot for a detailed study. Working collaboratively, they will observe how their plot changes from fall to winter, document the plant and animal life within their plot, and assess the value of the habitat within their plot. Additionally, using Tom Wessel's "Reading the Forested Landscape," students will determine potential past uses of their plots and develop hypotheses about how that may have impacted the plants and animals that now live there. For their final project, students will create a management plan for their plot that benefits their focus plant and animal.

11:30am-12:30pm: Lunch and Free Play

12:30-2:00pm

Exploring Art Through the Natural World
Students will explore nature through the lens of mixed media art and storytelling. Foundational techniques will be introduced using examples that reflect the class's interests, and students will apply their learning through hands-on assignments each week. Sample projects may include nature photography (with a focus on exposure and other settings, composition, framing, and subject choice), nature-scape comics (blending illustration techniques with compelling story construction), and sculptures made from natural materials.

As the course progresses, students will develop a multi-week focus project guided by their individual interests and preferred media. Supportive peer workshopping and sharing will be adapted from Liz Lerman's Critical Response Method, which teaches students how to give and receive thoughtful, kind, and constructive feedback-strengthening both their artistic voice and collaborative skills.

2-3pm: Time for special projects or open exploration

Our NSNP’s homeschool programs and classes help to instill a love of nature in students while facilitating positive social interactions within the group.

Your child is invited to join us for:

Group games and warmups
Snack time
Focused exploration connected to a daily theme
Hands-on and inquiry-driven learning
Free play and exploration

Students will be encouraged to practice specific wilderness skills, participate with the group, and engage in individual exploration.

Don’t see a program that fits your needs or schedule?

Contact us directly about creating a custom program for your homeschool cohort. Email Andrew Prazar at andrew@northshorenatureprograms.com for more information.

Curiosity, adventure, and belonging are only the beginning!

At North Shore Nature Programs, we provide education rooted in nature. We invite children to get outside and experience the joy of exploring, roaming, and relaxing into who they are.

A LOVE OF NATURE STARTS HERE