Scout Programs at Schiff Nature Preserve

Schiff Natural Lands Trust strives to cultivate awareness of Schiff Nature Preserve’s rich biodiversity, land stewardship practices, and the available resources in passive recreation, environmental education, and volunteer programs. Our program introduces scouts to concepts in ecology and environmental science by exploring the natural world through experiential learning.  Your child can earn achievements, badges, and complete electives through hands-on activities, games, and hikes through Schiff Nature Preserve. 

Rates:  $80 covers a maximum of 15 students for 1 ½ hours.  Troop leaders and adult chaperones are free.  All classes are taught by a professional environmental educator.

What to Bring: Water and closed toe shoes.  Children should come prepared to enjoy the outdoors rain or shine. In the event of extreme weather, an indoor activity will take place.

For more information or to schedule a date call: (973)543-6004 or contact Angela Gorczyca by email: angela@schiffnaturepreserve.org. 

Please download and include the completed registration form with your payment.

For more information and to register call: (973)543-6004 or contact Tanya Sulikowski by e-mail: tanya@schiffnaturepreserve.org. 

Please download and include the completed registration form with your payment.

Girl Scout Programs
Schiff Nature Preserve offers the following exciting programs for Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, and Senior Girl Scouts. 
Brownies
Explore “Animals” at the Schiff Nature Center! What are the differences between pets and wild animals?  Learn how to enjoy wildlife in a safe way.
Eco-explorer Ecology is the study of how plants and animals live together in the environment.  Become an Eco-Explorer as you identify living and non-living things at the Schiff Nature Preserve. Learn about habitats, food chains, endangered species, and what you can do to protect the environment. 
Watching Wildlife Come discover some of the critters that live at Schiff Nature Preserve and how interesting they can be.  Also, explore how humans impact these creatures and their habitats. 

Juniors
Earth Connections Become an ecologist as you learn what “native” and “non-native” plants and animals are, how to identify them and how they impact the environment.
Wildlife Create your own field journal as you explore the critters that live at the Schiff Nature Preserve and Nature Center. Our focus will be on animal adaptations and endangered species.
Your Outdoor Surroundings Experience various ways to enjoy nature by learning the basics of bird watching and hiking Schiff Nature Preserve while we play outdoor games and more.

Cadette and Senior Badges
All About Birds So what makes a bird a bird anyway? Learn what attributes birds share with each other and how field marks and bird calls can be used to identify birds while taking a bird hike at Schiff Nature Preserve. 
Outdoor Survival You can survive 3 minutes without air, 3 hours without shelter, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food.   Learn about the rules of three while participating in hands on activities such as shelter building and orienteering.   
Wildlife We do not always see wildlife, but sometimes they leave us clues to tell us that they were there.  Hike Schiff Nature Preserve and discover the diversity that can be found here by searching for animal tracks and scat.

Boy Scout Programs
Schiff Nature Preserve offers the following exciting programs for Junior Boy Scouts and Webelos. 

Tiger Rank
Achievement # 5 Let’s go Outdoors
Get outside and take a hike Schiff Nature Preserve!  We will hike the trails and learn about how Schiff plays an important role in preserving wildlife. 
Elective #32 Feed the Birds
Make two different types of birdfeeders to hang in your backyard!  All materials will be provided. 

Wolf Rank
Elective #13 Birds
Learn to identify at least 10 different species of birds and their special adaptations that make these feathered friends so unique.

Bear Rank
Achievement #5 Sharing Your World with Wildlife
Learn how we can share this world responsibly with the flora and fauna around us. 

Webelos Rank
Naturalist Badge
Schiff covers the following requirements for this badge:

• Visit a nature center with your Webelos den
• Learn about bird flyways
• Learn about producers, consumers, and decomposers
• Discuss one way humans have changed the balance of nature
• Identify a plant or animal particular to the area

Forester Badge
Schiff covers the following requirements for this badge:

• Identify six forest trees common to the area and tell how they are useful to both humans and wildlife
• Explain how tree rings tell a tree’s life history
• Identify six forest plants (other than trees) that are useful to wildlife
• Describe both the benefits of prescribed fires as well as the harm wildfires can cause