Who can attend?

This program is for potty-trained 3-6 year-olds unaccompanied by a parent/guardian (drop-off). Many of the children who come to this program attend other preschool programs on the other weekdays.

Space is strictly limited to a max class size of 10 students.

When is the Knee-High Naturalists Program?

2024 Knee-High Naturalists will meet twice a week on Monday and/or Wednesday from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Winter/Spring 2024 session will run for the following dates:

• Monday Session: February 19th-April 29th (no class 03/25)
• Wednesday Session: February 21st-May 1st (no class 03/27)

What will the children do?

GTCD Staff will use developmentally appropriate and seasonal topics to focus on what is happening outside of the Nature Center. We incorporate creative dramatics, songs and games, manipulatives, puppets, and an occasional animal into the programs to engage your young explorers.

From frog eggs to fox tails, we’ll be having fun and making new connections with every step! Let’s create, touch, watch, get quiet, be loud, move, build, climb, smell, and most importantly, discover.

What is the cost?

Tuition payments will be handled through Square. Payments can be made in full or monthly.

Below monthly costs are based on $28/class/child IN FULL= $280/child

Winter Monday Session: 02/19/2024-04/29/2024 (NO CLASS 03/25)

Feb. = $56

Mar. = $84

Apr. =$140

Winter Wednesday Session: 02/21/2024-05/01/2024 (NO CLASS 03/27)

Feb. = $56

Mar. = $84

Apr. =$140

Do you offer scholarships?

When funds are available, scholarships may be provided. At this time there are not scholarships for the Winter/Spring 2024 session.

How do I register?

Register HERE

What are your drop off and pick up policies?

Drop off and pick up will take place at the Boardman River Nature Center located at 1450 Cass Road. Traverse City, Michigan. *More details to come soon!

Drop-off is between 9:50am-10:00am, and pick-up will be at noon.

Please prepare your child to be outside at all times as long as weather permits.

Our goal with every family is to have a smooth and easy transition and allow every child to join the group independently.

What are your check-in and check-out policies?

Families must always check in and check out their students with one of the teachers. If someone who is not listed on your child’s enrollment forms will be picking them up after their program, please inform Grand Traverse Conservation District ahead of time (via email, call, text, or at drop off). Additionally, anyone who is not a parent or guardian of your child MUST PROVIDE IDENTIFICATION when picking them up for the first time.

What are your cancellation and withdrawal policies?

If you cancel or withdraw for any reason:

• 30 days or more prior to the program start date, you will receive a full refund.
• Less than 30 days prior to the program date, no refund will be issued.
• Partial refunds will not be issued.

If you need to cancel or withdraw your enrollment, please contact Education Director, Rachel Straughen at rstraughen@gtcd.org.

If cancellation occurs via the following, there will be no refund issued:

• School closings or delays
• Weather emergencies
• Covid-19/pandemic/illness related cancellation

What is your weather policy?

On days when the weather is unsafe to be outside for extended periods of time we will utilize our heated pavilion with ventilated sides. Under severe or emergency weather conditions we will utilize the Nature Center building and encourage masking until parents and caregivers are able to safely pick up each student.

• If TCAPS schools experience a snow day, programming will also experience a snow day and programming will be canceled.
• If NMC is closed, Grand Traverse Conservation District offices and the Boardman River Nature Center will be closed. All programming will be canceled.