Earth Explorers
Activities that expose people to nature have been shown to
improve health and happiness and are a great way to educate through exploration
and discovery. They are also just plain fun! The Bureau of Recreation’s Earth
Explorers program aims to expose youth to the nature right in the City of
Rochester by getting them outside and interacting with the natural world around
them.
From the Genesee River Gorge and its breathtaking cataracts,
to the hundreds of acres of parkland, to the lakefront where the mighty Genesee
reaches Lake Ontario, we have very real nature right in the midst of our city.
The 200,000 Rochester residents share this environment with an astounding array
of plants and animals-- from rabbits and bald eagles to the earthworms under
our feet--much of which exists hidden from city residents because they don't
really know where or how to look for it!
The Earth Explorers program encourages youth to find nature
in their own backyard. Some days, that means working in a garden at the center.
Other days, we’re playing a game of Frisbee in snowshoes, or going on a field
trip to learn about birds of prey or maple sugaring! A garden, forest or open
field serves as a wonderful outdoor classroom, where youth learn while staying
engaged and active.
The Earth explorers program is a year round program that
provides a multitude of opportunities for learning about and engaging with the
natural world. Participants will learn to grow food and tend plants in our
on-site gardens, practice STEAM experiments based on natural phenomena through
hands on activities in the classroom and have opportunities to go on field
trips to some of Rochester’s most unique and fascinating natural spaces!
The program is currently held at the following R-Centers. Please
contact your local center for current dates and times:
Adams Street
Frederick Douglass
Thomas P. Ryan
David F. Gantt
Trenton and Pamela Jackson
Carter Street
Nature
Experiences in Park Programs
We have expanded our environmental programming to be
included in our After School and Summer Camp programs! Kids will have the
opportunities to enjoy nature walks and nature activities in all of our park
programs!
Nature at ASIP!
After School
in the Park: Nature Wednesdays
has come to ASIP! Kids will spend their out of school time on Wednesdays
enjoying nature walks in Cobb’s Hill Park and Washington Gove, as well as
learning about our local wildlife with experiments,
Nature at Summer Camp!
ArtSmart
Summer Camps: Our ArtSmart East
and ArtSmart West Summer Camps will be hosting weekly nature walks at two of our
Cities premier parks, Genesee Valley Park and the one of a kind Washington
Grove located within Cobb’s Hill Park.
Nature in parks!
Rec
on the Move: Come discover nature in
your local park with our Rec on the Move staff! Each ROTM truck is outfitted
with nature games and activities for all ages.