Schedule a Program

Audubon Community Nature Center offers classroom, schoolyard and field trip lessons to schools throughout Chautauqua and Warren Counties.

If your school participates in BOCES Co-Ser 438.010, as many Chautauqua County schools do, your field trip may already be in the budget. Check with your principal.

Click here to learn more about scheduling a school program with Audubon.

 

Audubon Community Nature Center (ACNC) is pleased to offer Discovery Walks and fun patches for Scouts. Please call Sarah Hatfield at (716) 569-2345 or email shatfield@auduboncnc.org to arrange a program that fits your needs and schedule.

On Your Own
You are welcome to bring your troops, packs, and dens to ACNC during normal hours for self-guided activities. Regular admission fees apply.

Discovery Walk
When you bring your Scouts to Audubon, Discovery Walk leaders provide a guided walk for about 1.5 hours, pointing out highlights along the way that prompt nature exploration. You may also schedule additional time for lunch and self-guided activities.
$7 per scout with a $70 minimum.

ACNC does not have a public badge program scheduled. If your scouts are working on requirements of a nature-related badge and could use the help of an ACNC naturalist, please call to schedule a Discovery Walk for your troop. We may be able to cater a walk to fit your needs. Specialized Discovery Walks are $8 per scout with a $80 minimum because they take more time to plan.

Fun Patches
Some of ACNC’s events and programs include a fun patch. Call ahead to see if a patch is available for upcoming happenings. When you visit an event or program that offers a patch, visit the Reception Desk for a list of requirements. After completing at least four of the activities, a fun patch can be purchased on a first-come first-served basis for $3.

Fun patches are offered at:

• Snowflake Festival – First Saturday in February
• Monarch Butterfly Festival – Last Saturday of August
• Enchanted Forest – First Friday/Saturday in October
• Birds of Prey Day – A Saturday in the fall
• Please call for other events and programs that may include fun patches

Overnights at Audubon
Audubon Community Nature Center is currently not scheduling Scout overnights. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Celebrate at Audubon!

Birthday Party Programs can be scheduled on Saturdays from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. You may arrive at 1:00 p.m. for set up and stay until 4:00 p.m. for clean up.

Birthday Parties are for children ages 4 – 12. There are three nature based themes to choose from, including:

• Animal Encounter: Audubon is home to many different types of animals, including some that live right inside the Nature Center. Learn about some of the animals that call Audubon home and visit with some of Audubon’s animal friends. This party includes a hike and a visit from one of the live animals.
• Green Play: Audubon is wild about spending time playing outside. After a short hike around the nature center, stop by the Nature Play Area to explore and play. This party includes a hike and a chance to visit Audubon’s Nature Play Area.
• (Not currently available during COVID-19) Tiny Town: Deep in the woods fairies and other woodland creatures hide and play between the trees. Join in to build fairy houses and search for these secretive woodland creatures and their friends. This party includes a craft and a hike.

Please call for more information and to reserve your date (716) 569-2345 or email shatfield@auduboncnc.org.

The Audubon Escape Room is available to be scheduled by appointment. Escapes take place on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. with an optional rental until 7:15 for food. Reservations must be made in advance, and must be made at least one week prior to the Escape date. Please be sure that your group members arrive on time, so that your “escape” can begin promptly. Times are limited and are on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Audubon Escape Room is designed for up to 10 children ages 8 – 12, but children of all ages are welcome to participate. It is designed for children to complete on their own, without adult participation. However, we ask that each group has a minimum of two adults that will remain on-site to assist with supervision. During the Escape Room, the Nature Center will be closed to the public and only available for use by the people who are a part of the group participating in the escape.

 

Friday/Saturday Evening Escape Timeline:
5:00 to 5:15 p.m. Guests arrive, and are given the Escape Room story to get them started.
5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Group members have exactly 1 hour to work together to solve the escape.
6:15 to 7:00 p.m. The group is welcome use the small auditorium for a post-escape meal (food and drinks are to be provided by the group, and plates, napkins, and cups to be provided by ACNC).

After your guests arrive, an Audubon staff member will provide the Escape Room story that participants have to solve. A staff member will remain with the group throughout the escape, and will provide three clues if the group gets stuck and asks for assistance. Adult supervisors will act as time keepers, and may also become a part of the escape story!

Escape Room Costs:
Escape with a suggested minimum of 5 and a suggested maximum of 10 participants = $150. Please note your group size when calling to reserve. The optional rental after for food is $60.

Nature Center Members receive a 10% discount. Please note that if you cancel less than a week ahead of the date, ACNC retains the non-refundable deposit of 50% of the cost. Any amount paid beyond that is refunded. If ACNC cancels the event due to emergency or weather, you will receive a full refund. 

Please call for more information and to reserve your date (716) 569-2345 or email shatfield@auduboncnc.org.

This opportunity is made possible thanks to a collaboration with Escape Rooms Jamestown who provides adult focused escape room adventures. For more information, please go to: escaperoomsjamestown.com.