History

For more than 30 years Greenkill’s comprehensive year-round programming has taught students the importance of teamwork, and the interrelationships that exist  in a healthy ecological community.

Who We Are
At Greenkill, students and their teachers are immersed in a harmonic blend of social and academic education, while surrounded by 1,150 acres of woods, lakes, streams, and fields filled with a wide variety of flora and fauna.

We strive to maintain a comfortable 1 to 12 staff-to-student ratio. With the student as the center of our educational efforts, we focus on having one staff remain as the instructor throughout each group's visit. This allows instructors to know each individual, and not just the subject matter; also allowing for a more holistic approach to the education of each student. Our program instructors all share an understanding and dedication to the YMCA’s four core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Naturalists hold degrees in fields such as Outdoor Education, Wildlife Management, Biology, Recreation Education, Environmental Studies, and Elementary and Secondary Education. We provide ongoing trainings to keep instructors current with the latest information and techniques in the outdoor education field.

What We Do
We use our 8,000 square foot education building purely as a supplement to our real classroom: the 1,150 acres of diverse flora & fauna, and habitat. We focus on the following program areas:

Character Development
Teamwork and communication are the backbone of all of our programs but, specifically in our challenge education programs. Teambuilding activities provide a catalyst for students to work together to achieve a series of common goals. The seven elements of our High Ropes Course serve to build group support. The Low Ropes Course offers high rope elements on the ground in order to incorporate even more teambuilding.  We also have high elements designed specifically for teambuilding.  All of these activities are meant to teach about communication, leadership, support for others, and in general group dynamics, all the while building character in the individuals as well as the group. 

Environmental Sciences
Hands on exploration of our outdoor classroom allows students to investigate the habitats and organisms within them. Classes offered include water ecology, forest ecology, wildlife studies, geology, ornithology, hikes, tracking, and winter ecology.

Outdoor Skills
One of the first steps in cultivating awareness and appreciation for the natural environment is enjoying and feeling comfortable outdoors. Here is the opportunity for youth, so often removed from the outdoors, to participate in elements that include map & compass, orienteering, survival, mountain hikes, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

Who We Serve

Located six miles north of the New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania border, Greenkill serves schools and organizations throughout the northeast. Greenkill’s curriculum is adaptable for any age and learning style. We serve elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and colleges throughout the year.