Norman Bird Sanctuary > a 300+ acre wildlife refuge near Newport RI, offering over 7 miles of hiking trails.

Engaging Afterschool Programs for Grades K-5

The Sanctuary's weekly afterschool programs provide a way for students to participate in the type of interactive nature-based activities that characterize our summer camp experience. The sustained connections between our educators and the afterschool students are a very strong compliment to our classroom programming and field trips.

Through our themed, age-appropriate programs, we hope to cultivate an interest in the environment and promote a strong knowledge and understanding of Rhode Island’s natural resources.

Program Choices

Animals, Authors, and Art - Each week, students will delve into a storybook, meet a live animal, and complete a take-home craft based on that week's theme.

Nature Detectives – Students will become scientific sleuths in this exciting afterschool program, as they work to solve a new “mystery” each week, with clues from the great outdoors!

Marine Madness - Explore the wonders that the Ocean State has to offer, with a focus on coastal and marine ecology! Meet animals, study biofacts, and learn through experiments, crafts, and games.

Feathered Friends – Meet the Sanctuary’s birds of prey, learn what makes a bird a bird, and study the science of flight, migration, and more!

Nature and the Arts – Try your hand at nature-themed art, creative writing, photography, and journalism! We’ll even put together our own afterschool news publication as we take a creative approach to studying the natural world.

The Mad Scientist – Quick, grab your lab coat! Your classroom will be turned into a scientific laboratory, with a variety of kid-friendly experiments each week. Be prepared to get messy as we complete our ooey, gooey activities!

The Untouchables – Get to know nature’s slimiest, scaliest, and most misunderstood creatures in this exciting afterschool program. You won’t want to miss out on the fun as we meet rats, snakes, hissing cockroaches, and more. We'll take a closer look at myths and fears and learn to love these un-cuddly critters! Crafts and games round out each program.

The Nature and Science of Harry Potter – Try your hand at Potions, Herbology, and Care of Magical Creatures as we discover the magic of nature. We’ll even make our own wands and play a round of “Quidditch!”

Pricing and Scheduling Options

Afterschools are offered in weekly 1-hour sessions for a fee of $6 per student per week. Each class session can accommodate six to twelve students in grades K-5. Program sessions can be offered for three to ten weeks at a time and can be taught to children of a single or two consecutive grade levels (i.e., K-1, 3-4). Additional program offerings can also be designed.

Please click here for more information about scheduling an afterschool program with NBS.