Programs
Click ‘Play’ to watch the video.
ECOS Nature Club
Our Nature Club is for KCMO students in grades 4th-7th. Join us for nature hikes, bird watching, art projects, identifying native trees and plants, music, and journaling. We emphasize teamwork and exhibiting kindness toward each other and all living things. Have fun making new friends and connecting to nature in your own community.
Nature Club meets during the spring and fall on Saturdays at the Lakeside Nature Center in Swope Park. Contact us for more information.
Fall ECOS Nature Club registration has closed. Spring registration will begin in February 2025.
Read our Fall 2023 Parent Evaluation and listen to a few of our students talking about their experiences at Nature Club.
“I feel calmer after exploring nature, and I’m happy here. It’s different than other days.” – ECOS student
ECOS
We offer ECOS (Environmental Connection Opportunities for Students) nature programs to schools, youth-serving organizations, and community centers in Kansas City, Missouri. Programs are 1 – 3 hours in length and we can provide a single program or a series of programs. ECOS includes many of the same elements as our Nature Club including hiking, tree identification, native plant lessons and nature art, but with the flexibility to schedule on weekdays and in the summer.
If you are interested in bringing a group of 4th – 7th graders for an ECOS nature program, contact us.
Wild Kind Explorers
Wild Kind is our winter program for 4th – 7th graders that includes hikes, bird watching and bird feeding, and art projects, combined with trying new things and learning new skills. We learn to make cord from plant materials, practice navigation including using a compass, and learn to build a fire with sticks. We also explore new foods and include healthy eating and cooking activities. Wild Kind helps us continue to grow, stay connected to our Nature Club friends, and connected to the natural world, even when it’s cold!
Contact us for more information.
Career Camp
Our Career Camp is a hands-on summer experience for area urban middle school students. Past camps have involved a range of environmental activities including water and air testing utilizing scientific field equipment, outdoor fun kayaking and hiking, and field trips to local nature and science career sites such as Evergy, the Missouri Department of Conservation, KU Field Station and more. Campers participate in “green” career interest surveys, and meet with a variety of professionals including eco-entrepreneurs to learn about their career experiences.
In summer 2024, our camp focused on careers that involve caring for wild animals and helping protect the places where they live. We visited wild animal rehab centers, Missouri Department of Conservation sites, and the Zoo. Click here to read the impressive results from our pilot year, and click the link on the photo to see our feature on KCPT. Contact us for more information.
“Logan enjoyed the field trips to see and experience what actually happens in places. He told us all about the day he followed the water system.” – Parent