We know you have questions, and we have answers!
Trail School and Teen Trail School programs are completely outdoors. Rain, snow, or sunshine, we will be outside. Be sure to dress for the weather each day. In the event of severe weather (thunderstorms, extreme cold, etc.), we may move inside the Interpretive Center, postpone that day’s session, or cancel that day’s session. Families will be notified by phone or email.
Nature’s Little Explorers programs will include more indoor time in the coldest months but families should still come prepared to be outdoors for some of the program.
Trail School is for children ages 5-10. Children must be 5 years old by the start of each seasonal session.
Teen Trail School is for ages 11-17. Participants must be 11 by September 1st. Children who turn 11 throughout the year should sign up for regular Trail School and will be eligible for Teen Trail School next year.
Nature’s Little Explorers is for children ages 3-4 years old. Children must be 3 years old by the first date of any given session. Children who turn 5 during the fall or winter/spring should sign up for Nature’s Little Explorers until they reach the Trail School age requirements listed above.
A backpack, one or two bottles of water, a snack, extra socks, rain or snow gear (if the weather calls for that), and a change of clothes. A full packing list will be provided with your confirmation email and other communications leading up to the start of the program.
Yes! There will be time for a small snack break and definitely bring water. One or two bottles of water is fine, please no glass bottles.
Trail School parents must stay on site during the program and are asked to stay behind while the group goes out on the trails. If your child is a nervous first-time participant or needs special accommodations, please reach out to us at least a week before the start of the session so we can work together to ensure your child’s success. Parents are welcome to enjoy the Fox’s Den Nature Play Space from 1-1:30pm with participating children before the group departs for the day’s adventure.
Indoor space with Wi-Fi is available for any parents wishing to use this time to catch up on work.
Teen Trail School is a drop off program; parents will not be accompanying the group and are welcome to use the indoor space at Baltimore Woods, if needed.
Children in the Nature’s Little Explorers program must be accompanied by an adult during the program.
Trail School and Teen Trail School parents can utilize our tables and wi-fi inside the program room or on the back deck of the Interpretive Center if they would like to do work while waiting for their children.
Families participating in Nature’ Little Explorers are welcome to bring younger siblings that are too young for the program. Older siblings are invited to sign up for Trail School.
For Trail School, parents and siblings are invited to enjoy the Fox’s Den Nature Play Space from 1-1:30pm with participating children before the group departs for the day’s adventure. Once the group departs, parents and siblings are asked to remain behind.
Space is limited in Trail School. We ask that families pick just one day each session to allow other families to experience the program, too.
No, children must register for a full season. There are three seasons in 2026-27: September – December, January – March, and April through June. Registration will close at midnight on the Sunday before each season’s first day (September 13, January 3, and March 28).
No, participants must register for the full program. Teen Trail School is designed to be a 10-month program with skills that build upon foundational skills learned in the beginning of the season. Monthly payment plans are available. Registration will close September 8th.
No, children must register for a full monthly session. Registration for each month closes three days before the first program date.
Payments can be made in one of two ways: Full payment at time of registration, or by enrolling in a monthly payment plan. Here’s how that works: At the time of registration a 10% deposit for each registered session will be charged to your credit card. Thereafter, payments for any given session will be automatically charged to your card on the 1st of each session’s month.
Yes, inquiries should be made to the Executive Director at [email protected]
No, but being a member can save you money! Members receive discounted prices on our programs, as well as discounts in our gift shop and early notice of upcoming programs and events, including summer camp registration opening dates. You can purchase a membership while registering for your programs, or through our website. If you purchase a membership during registration, or are already an active member, be sure to answer “yes” to the “Are you a member?” question in the registration form; member discounts will appear at checkout. For more information on memberships, click here:
Active Network is a national company that provides camp and class registration and database management tools for camps and schools. We have been using Active Network for our summer camp registration since 2013.
You can easily register online – saving everyone time and paper, and a few trees in the process. On each program description page, find the link that says “Register Now!” You will be redirected to our program registration portal where you’ll find step-by-step instructions. Simply select your programs, fill out the forms, submit your payment, and you will get instant confirmation through your email. Be sure to set up an account to make future registrations even easier.
At Baltimore Woods Nature Center, the health and safety of our staff and visitors is of utmost importance. If you or your child have any active symptoms of a communicable illness (such as COVID-19, strep throat, flu, cold, RSV, pink eye, measles, stomach bugs, etc), do not travel to Baltimore Woods. Do let us know that you will be absent by calling 315-673-1350. Masking is supported. If health officials alert us to an outbreak of any communicable disease, we will update our safety protocols accordingly and notify participants via email before the start of a program.
Baltimore Woods may cancel a program due to weather or low enrollment. Pre-registrants will be notified by email or phone in the event of a cancellation and any pre-payments will be refunded in that case, less a $10 nonrefundable deposit and processing fee. In the case of a documented family/medical emergency that requires a participant to withdraw from a program, refunds will be considered on a case by case basis.
Age restrictions are made for each individual program based on terrain and hiking distance, time of day, participant maturity levels, and content of the program. Having age restrictions in place ensures that every program participant can feel successful and safe while making positive connections to nature.
Pre-registration is required. Walk-ins will not be accepted.