Nature at your doorstep.
Trails open daily from sunrise to sunset
The 2025-2026
Program Guide is here!
Discover a full year of nature-based programs, workshops, and events for all ages at Rye Nature Center. From preschool adventures to adult hikes, it’s all inside.
Save the date for
Friday, October 3
7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Come enjoy food, drinks, music, and company while supporting education, community, and conservation on the 47-acre preserve.
Sponsorship available now.
General admission tickets go on sale August 1st.
Just announced:
FRNC Annual Square Dance!
Saturday, September 6
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Back by popular demand, Rye Nature Center’s beloved Square Dance of the late 1980s and early 1990s is returning.
Grab your partner, do-si-do, and join us for a festive night of family fun, music, and classic square dance.
New Programs Added!
where learning is a walk in the park
The forest is a perpetual teacher, and FRNC offers programs for all ages and abilities. Whether it’s our engaging Forest Preschool program, an Afterschool Club for your elementary-aged child, a weekend event for your family, or an enriching volunteer opportunity as a citizen scientist, the Rye Nature Center Forest is the place to be.
New: Half-Year Forest Preschool
Registration is open for our new January 2026-start session.
Join us for an afternoon adventure in nature—designed for curious young explorers ready to climb, dig, imagine, and grow.
Wednesdays & Fridays
11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
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Forest Preschool
Friends of Rye Nature Center’s Forest Preschool nurtures a lifelong connection to nature through outdoor experiential learning.
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Afterschool Clubs
FRNC's afterschool clubs offer students the chance to explore the outdoors while learning something new each session.
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My Naturalist and Me
Join us for a fun-filled hour of nature activities with your little one, featuring animal encounters, crafts, and short hikes.
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School's Out Workshops
When school is out, our workshops provide outdoor adventure and exploration for children ages 3.5 to 10.
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Summer Camp
FRNC’s summer day camp offers outdoor adventure, ecological exploration, and hands-on learning through fun, nature-based activities.
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Paddle Adventure Camp
PAC offers kayaking, hiking, and outdoor fun for campers in grades 8-10, building skills and confidence in a safe, exciting environment.
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June Bugs
June Bugs is a summer program for children ages 3.5 to 6, offering outdoor activities, crafts, games, and hands-on ecology lessons in the Rye Nature Center forest.
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Mission Statement
Friends of Rye Nature Center (FRNC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization which offers programs to people of all ages and abilities. We encourage conservation, provide environmental education, and support our community’s access to nature.