EDUCATION
Educational Programs
It can be difficult to engage children and adults alike in meaningful conversations about the environment in traditional classroom or lecture settings. Let the Ned Smith Center help jump-start those conversations! The NSCNA believes that educating individuals though hands-on, inquiry-based activities is the key to building an important and inclusive relationship with the environment. Students who receive a well-rounded environmental education are statistically shown to have increased self-confidence, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, personal responsibility, and academic achievement.
We believe that nature itself can be a form of art and that art can be an extremely meaningful way to express one’s observations and feelings about nature. As such, we offer programming on a wide range of environmental education topics, but also offer arts-focused programming as well.
NOTE FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR:
If you’ve visited the Center or participated in educational programming with us before, we are happy for your continued support and interest! Our program offerings, pricing, and scheduling have changed, so please be sure to thoroughly read the section relevant to your type of group before submitting a program request form.
Summer Camps
Join us as we discover our world together!
At the Ned Smith Center’s acclaimed Summer Camps, campers will not only experience authentic connections with nature, but with each other as well! We offer a wide variety of summer camp options for kids ranging from 4 to 12 years old.
Camp Registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Full payment is due upon registration; scholarships are available, please apply before registering. Registration opens on March 3r, 2025 for members and March 10, 2025 for non-members.
Educational supplies rental
The Ned Smith Center is happy to provide support to educators in whatever way educators might need, even if it is simply in the form of educational resources. The Center has a number of educational resources available to loan to schools or educational organizations, free of charge! We have several simple lesson plans and materials educators may find useful in their existing environmental education programming. To request supplies, please complete the form linked below and an educator will be in contact with you shortly. Please note that requests are approved based on availability of supplies and fulfilled on a first-come first-serve basis.
Youth Art Contest
Update for the 2026 NSC Youth Art Contest
Thank you for your continued interest and participation in the NSC Youth Art Contest. It is always a pleasure to see the incredible artwork created by students of all ages, and to be a part of encouraging young artists to pursue their passions!
That being said, as the Center is reassessing our community impact and programming, we have decided to place the contest on hiatus for 2026. This was not a decision we made lightly, but to ensure we are providing the highest quality experience for our participants, it is important that we take this time to reevaluate the contest.
Looking Ahead
While we will miss seeing your entries this year, we are optimistic about the future of the contest and look forward to sharing our progress with you. In the meantime, please be sure to follow us on Facebook and check our events listings often, as we are hopeful this time will also allow us to increase our arts programming with our community.
We encourage you to keep creating, keep practicing, and stay tuned to this page for updates regarding the contest.
Thank you for your understanding and your ongoing support of the arts!
Discovery Series
Join us at the Center for our Discovery Series programming targeted to families and adults. We host a wide variety of events from art workshops, to citizen science programs, to hands-on nature experiences. We always appreciate pre-registration, as certain events may be attendance dependent and others fill up so fast, you’ll be glad you reserved your spot early!
If you have questions about any Discovery Series Events during this time, please call the Ned Smith Center at 717-692-3699.