emi's comprehensive nature program is one of the best of its kind in the country. Each summer a great majority of our boys participate in some aspect of the program; through occupations, participation in the daily "What is it?" contest, special nature trips, or just stopping into the Nature Lodge to see the constantly-changing exhibits.

Several afternoon and day trips are offered each week for butterfly collecting, and observation of mountain ecology. Longer nature trips go to the Adirondacks and caving areas in New York, Lake Champlain fossil-collecting areas, and the Connecticut Lakes. Pemi is an active member of the highly-regarded Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in nearby Holderness, and many cabin groups have the opportunity to visit there.

Boys interested in working on Boy Scout merit badge requirements in the area of nature may do this under expert supervision.

Many of the boys enjoy making collections, and we encourage them to do so. The emphasis is not just on accumulating specimens, however, but in taking care with field recognition, preservation, identification and labeling, and through careful observation, acquiring knowledge of the specimen's roll in nature.