Center Hours
March, April & May: Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to
3:00 p.m.
June, July & August: Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
September, October & November: Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to
3:00 p.m.
December, January & February: Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00
a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Open other times for special events and programs.
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SUMMER
HAS ARRIVED!
At
the Nature Center of Cape May |
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For
a written description of each of our programs, click on "Calendar of
Events" to the left.
For a pictorial
version of each month's activities, click here. |
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2009
Children's Summer Programs
at the Nature Center of Cape May
Click
here
for the 2009
Children's Summer Programs Brochure.
Click here
for a 2009 CSP Registration
Form.
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Directions to the Nature Center of Cape May
Take Garden State Parkway to the end and continue over the Cape May Canal bridge into Cape
May. Continue straight on Lafayette Street, pass over a small bridge and then
make the first available left turn onto Sydney Avenue. Go one block and turn
left on Washington Avenue. Bear to your right and then turn right on Texas
Avenue. The road will turn into Pittsburgh Avenue. Go to Delaware Avenue and
turn left. The nature center is two blocks down at the corner of Brooklyn and
Delaware, on the right.
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Cape May Harbor Sunset |
Mission
Statement
The nature
center’s mission focuses in providing quality environmental education experiences,
encouraging stewardship of the harbor area and other natural
areas, and promoting volunteerism as a rewarding means of
community involvement and service.
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ABOUT THE NATURE CENTER OF CAPE MAY
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The Nature Center of Cape May was founded in 1992, with the twin goals of
creating a responsible stewardship program for open space surrounding Cape May
Harbor and providing environmental education for people of all ages. The
Center's focus on "hands-on" activities reflects a philosophy of
personal responsibility for education. Adopted by the New Jersey Audubon
Society in 1995, the Nature Center of Cape May is one of nine staffed nature centers
throughout the state.
The environmental education campus, located on the
shores of beautiful Cape May Harbor in Cape May,
includes the Trucksess Welcome Center, a three-story observation tower, indoor
observation lounge, three classrooms, exhibit aquaria, a small gift shop, and
multiple themed display
gardens. The harbor and adjacent area provide natural classrooms that are used in
the center's programs. In addition, the nature center is close to a diversity of
habitats, which are easily incorporated into its programs. |
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The nature center offers a full schedule
of natural history programs for the general public
throughout the year. A wide variety of group educational programs are available
as well,
either at the Nature Center of Cape May or at alternate
sites such as outdoor habitats, schools, or clubs. Click on the
links below for more information. |
NOTE: Some
of the following links are for PDF files. PDF files
require the use of the Adobe® Reader® software application
to download and read. If you do not have this software on
your computer, you can obtain a free copy of it at the
Adobe website by
clicking here.
OUR PROGRAMS
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Public Programs
The Nature Center of Cape May offers a diverse array of educational natural history
programs for the public that vary with the seasons. Regularly scheduled adult, family and children’s programs are
conducted year round. These programs visit many of the
habitats in the vicinity of the nature center. Popular with summer
visitors to Cape May, the center is the perfect place to begin exploration
of the natural wonders of the Southern Cape at any
time of the year.
Click Here to see our
detailed Calendar of Events.
We also offer Natural History
Programs for groups.
Click Here for
a brochure (in PDF format).
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School Group Programs
 Environmental Experiences For Students
The Nature Center offers a full schedule of Field Investigation
and Outreach / Lab activities for schools and other groups. The
Nature Center's Programs are composed of modular activities
which can be selected for each group's age and developmental
level. Teachers may choose among our offerings and tailor a
program to their curriculum or interests.
Click Here for more
information about School Group Programs.
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Scout Programs
The Nature Center of Cape May offers special programs and
activities designed to help your troop or pack meet their badge
requirements.
Click Here for more information about
Scout Programs.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Did you know that sanctuary director
Gretchen Ferrante started out as a volunteer? We are always
looking for a few good men (and women and children) to help our
ever-growing center. Want to lead programs or walks for
us? We’ll train you and offer a variety of benefits that will
make it a very worthwhile experience.
Volunteers needed in the following categories:
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Coast Guard volunteers |
Call the nature center and speak with any staff
member regarding your interests. (609)898-8848
MEMBERSHIPS & DONATIONS
The Nature Center of Cape May does not receive
national, state or county funding for its operations. We are supported by
memberships, program fees, special grants, fundraisers and donations.
Membership with NCCM is through our parent
organization the New Jersey Audubon Society. Not only do you gain the
membership privileges at our center but also the eight other NJAS centers
throughout the state.
For more information on how to become a member,
click here.
 A special fund has been created called the
Path to Discovery. This "Buy a
Brick"
campaign is targeted for our new children's garden.
Click Here to download
a brochure (in PDF format).
In-kind or monetary donations targeted specifically
for the Nature Center of Cape May can be sent directly to:
NJAS Nature Center of Cape May
Attention: Gretchen Ferrante, Director
1600 Delaware Ave.
Cape May, NJ 08204
Click Here
to see our "Wish List" for donations.
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