Earthworks
Our Programs
Forest School
Wilderness Classroom
7 & 14 Week Sessions
With nature as our classroom, we guide students in the practice of appreciating the natural world and developing specific wilderness skills. Our daily focus consists of intentional work, cooperative play, careful observation, and wilderness exploration. Our work involves splitting wood, sustaining warmth and fire, building survival shelters, and cooking over the flame!
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We hope to encourage children to carefully understand what they experience through the senses, and promote the natural curiosity of observing nature. We plan unstructured free play times, where children can climb, run, jump and talk. Ultimately, we hope children enjoy working together and experience the important bond that we all share with nature.
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Our Forest School programs meet once a week during the traditional school day. We offer sessions for students between the ages of 5-10 and a new session for students 11-15. Read more below for information on locations and times.
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For more details, please refer to our 2024-2025 Forest School Parent Handbook below:
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Penfield
Our Penfield Forest School occurs in the beautiful Veteran’s Memorial Park off Atlantic Avenue. It is held on Tuesdays from 12-3 pm and Wednesdays from 9-12 pm. Registration opens via the Penfield Recreation website. Registration is open now for Penfield residents and open to the public on 12/16 for Winter sessions. Click on the link below to register your nature-loving student!
School-Based Programming
Nature-Based Learning
Curriculum Aligned Outdoor Learning
With small school green spaces, local parks, and school gardens, we understand the need to support children’s natural curiosity and developmental need to move, play and interact. Our enrichment includes sensory exploration, acute observation, deliberate skill practice, and nature-based play. We aim to provide holistic, and enriching experiences that promote the development of wilderness skills, sustainable attitudes, and appreciation of the natural world.
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Once a partnership has been made with either an individual teacher or the entire school, our learning guides work with both the teachers and students to create an experience that best suits their needs. Whether this includes a standards-aligned local field experience, team-building through the practice of hands-on wilderness skills, creating a community garden, or an in-classroom nature-based exploration the possibilities are endless!
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To learn more about our work with local schools, please read below. If you would like to learn how to partner with Earthworks in your school, fill out the form below.
John James Audubon school no. 33
Alongside other members of the Center for Youth School-Based team, Earthworks helps conduct an after-school program based around nature crafts, gardening and play.
Alongside other members of the Center for Youth School-Based team, Earthworks helps conduct an after-school program based around nature crafts, gardening and play.
Summer Camp
Summer Camp
An immersive character-building experience
Committed to immersing children in nature, our summer camp encompasses The American Camp Association pillars for a valuable and educational summer experience. Our nature guides encourage children to creatively explore the natural world, nurturing the development of resiliency and self-confidence through consistent hands-on skill practice. Each program is age-appropriate, with specialized outdoor skill practice aimed at improving self-confidence and developing positive social relationships.
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Our summer camps provide a safe and structured space for children to dictate their learning while becoming aware of the natural world. Children are encouraged to embrace their curiosity, appreciate the natural world and explore the landscape. Expect your child to jump, crawl, run, hide and play in this fun-filled camp experience!
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Summer adventure sessions are held at Helmer Nature Center in Irondequoit and are available for ages 5 to 15. All class days run from 8:30–2:30 pm M-F. Each age group runs for two weeks during the months of July and August. Parents have the option to sign their child up for one week, or both! Please note, each section is designed for that specific age group. In order to make sure everyone gets the best experience, we will not allow students into a section outside of their age range.
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For more details, please refer to our 2025 Summer Camp Parent Handbook:
Neat Nature
5-7 years old
Neat Nature provides space for children to enjoy safe unstructured wilderness play, where they can run free and explore nature. Children will be encouraged to focus on the plants beneath their feet, the trees above their heads and the clues in the forest! Neat Nature is designed to increase children’s awareness levels, encourage hands-on skill practice through working in small groups and most of all explore at their own pace.
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Neat Nature Camp will run for two weeks: Monday, July 7th to Friday, July 11th and Monday, July 14th to Friday, July 18th. It is $320 per week per child. Parents can choose to register their child for a single week or for both weeks.
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Camp is from 8:30-2:30 every day.
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​To register for this please click on the link below:
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​Please email us at earthworkscfy@gmail.com for any questions.
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Running Wild
8-10 years old
Designed to balance curiosity, adventure, and hands-on skill practice; Running Wild taps into our need to experience the natural world. Expect your child to create survival shelters, be taught safe fire practices, engage in outdoor cooking, join daily navigation hikes, and most of all explore and get dirty! Running Wild will focus on building a foundation of survival techniques, while allowing children to naturally experience the wilderness at their comfort level.
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Running Wild Camp will run for two weeks: Monday, July 21st to Friday, July 25th and Monday, July 28th to Friday, August 1st. It is $320 per week per child. Parents can choose to register their child for a single week or for both weeks.
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Camp is from 8:30-2:30 every day. ​
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To register for this please follow the link below:
Please email us at earthworkscfy@gmail.com for any questions.
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Nature Leaders
11-15 years old
Could you have survived without shelter, food, or water thousands of years ago? This is the central focus of Nature Leaders, as young adults are challenged to reach beyond what is comfortable and typical; allowing them the opportunity for specialized skill practice. Expect your child to be taught and practice knife and hatchet techniques, learn practical fire skills and understand our relationship within the natural world.
Nature Leaders Camp will run for two weeks: Monday, August 4th to Friday, August 8th and Monday, August 11th to Friday, August 15th. It is $320 per week per child. Parents can choose to register their child for a single week or for both weeks.
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Camp is from 8:30-2:30 every day.
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To register for please click on the link below:
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​Please email us at earthworkscfy@gmail.com for any questions.
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Counselor in Training
By interview
Designed to teach and mold future camp counselors and team leaders. Our CIT program teaches the importance of team building and leadership skills in order to provide youth with the essential skills to help them manuever life in a successful way.
CIT Camp is an opportunity for a camper who has been with us for several seasons and has the mindset to become a camp leader. If they are selected they will be able to attend any or all sessions for one price. $400 per child. .
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Camp is from 8:30-2:30 every day.
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To register for this upcoming camp please click on the link below:
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​​Please email us at earthworkscfy@gmail.com for any questions.
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Get in Touch
If you would like to see how Earthworks can partner with your school, community organization or local parks department, please fill out the form to the right in order to reach out to our Program Manager, Brad Rickman (brickman@centerforyouth.net) for more information!