
Nature Explorers Program
2025-2026 is the
"Year of the Tree"
Our school-aged enrichment program, Nature Explorers, is for families with children ages 6-12 looking to supplement their school curriculum with place-based exploration and learning. Through games, crafts, stories, songs and adventure, children develop a deeper connection to themselves, the natural world, and their community. Skills introduced include plant identification, animal tracking, nature journaling, naturalist knowledge, orienteering, shelter building, fire safety, woodworking, storytelling, nature-based art, and hazard awareness.
​
This year our Nature Explorers program will be centered around trees in our ecosystem. We'll learn to put down deep roots, take our time and help one another, nourish and give back to our community and to be resilient like the many trees found in Southeastern NC.
​
Not only will we learn from trees and their adaptations but we will learn about them as well. Explorers will learn leaf shapes and tree ID, medicinal and edible parts of a variety of trees, observe different trees through the seasons, the importance of fire and fire ecology, as well as playing games like fire in the forest, meet a tree, and more!
​
We will do this through naturalist study, collaborative projects, community building, skill building, creative expression through art, word, and movement along with lots of nature exploration and play. Opportunities to be part of a supportive community, where everyone is met where they’re at builds belonging and provides a lifelong benefit. We will foster this connection through wonder and curiosity!

Enrollment Options & Locations
REGISTRATION OPENS 3/10/25
(follow links below to register)
Contact us if you'd like to schedule an observation day during the Spring 2025 semester
​
2025-26 Tuesday Nature Explorers at Abbey Nature Preserve *FULL* join the waitlist
​
2025-26 Wednesday Nature Explorers at Carolina Beach State Park *FULL* join the waitlist
​
2025-26 Thursday Nature Explorers at Abbey Nature Preserve *FULL* join the waitlist
​
2025-26 Friday Nature Explorers at Brunswick Nature Park *FULL* join the waitlist
​
​

Program Year
9:00am - 2:00pm
September 30, 2025 - May 22, 2026
*See calendar for holidays and breaks.
Mandatory site orientations will take place the week of
September 10-12, 2025
​
To register, there is a $100 enrollment fee that goes towards the tuition, plus a $60 supply fee.
A sibling discount of 10% is available at checkout. There are two payment plans available:
-
Pay in full, due at checkout
-
Pay in 8 installments: starting September 5th 2025 with the last installment due on April 5th, 2026​​

Participants Will Receive
-
Three Pines Project nature journal and pencil
-
3P T-shirt
-
Fiber art project
-
Woodworking project
-
Plant product
-
Child-made group field guide
*all projects will be sent home after the student showcase at the end of the program year
​
​
​
Tuition Assistance:
Tuition assistance requests are submitted through Brightwheel after enrollment.
​
-
requests due July 1st
-
tuition assistance awarded August 1st
-
Dependent on funds available
Nature Explorers Participant Requirements
Nature Explorers are busy and on the go! We ask that caregivers practice with their children to meet the below milestones before registering for the Nature Explorers program. This ensures facilitators may focus their full attention on safety, community building, and hands-on skills activities.​
-
Child is able to toilet and change their clothes independently
-
Child is able to pack and carry their backpack with required gear
-
Child is able to open water and food containers independently
-
Child can zip and button their own packs and clothes
-
Child is able to communicate their needs
If your child is not quite ready, Forest Families is a great way to start getting them comfortable with a little extra support!
Enrollment Timeline

1
Open Enrollment
Enrollment opens to our currently enrolled families the week before open enrollment.
​
Our open enrollment window is from March 10th, 2025 - September 18th 2025
​
Site orientations are the week of September 8th-12th.
If registering after the site Orientation you and your explorer will need to arrange a meeting with a facilitator for a one-on-one orientation.
2
Scholarship Requests
Three Pines Project hopes to make our program accessible and realize cost can be a barrier.
​
Since 2016 we have provided over $30,000 in tuition assistance. In 2024 we provided $2,700 with 17% of our Nature Explorers receiving tuition assistance.
​
We also offer a 10% sibling discount (available at checkout).
3
Late Adds
Explorers wishing to join our program after September 18th:
​
-
Schedule a trial day if space is available
-
Watch the orientation video with their child
-
Dependent on space and is up to facilitator discretion
-
No late adds after December 5th, 2025
​
Participants on the waitlist will have priority should a spot open.