All exhibit and hiking trails are CLOSED for the season.
Two children walking on path to Water Matters Pavilion

Membership

Become a member of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center

Become a member today!

Membership dues provide support for educational programs for schools, families and children, care and feeding of the animals, upkeep and maintenance of trails, exhibits, and buildings, Kirkwood Gardens, lake education cruises, and general operating expenses. Most importantly, membership helps to support Squam Lakes Natural Science Center’s mission: to advance understanding of ecology by exploring New Hampshire’s natural world. Please, join us today by completing your membership purchase below. Learn more about membership privileges and membership levels.

Your membership DOES make a difference.
We are looking forward to an exciting 2023 trail season beginning May 1. Membership rates will be increasing, effective April 2, 2023. You may renew your membership early, by April 1 (no joke) to receive the 2022 rates. You can renew your membership or purchase a new one using the button below.
Membership Rates

Effective April 2, 2023

Membership Level New Rate
One-Person $60
Two-Person $75
Four-Person $120
Six-Person $150
Eight-Person $180
Wetlands $250
Field $500
Forest $750
Mt. Fayal $1,000
Use the online Membership Form Print and mail the Membership Form
Gift a Gift Membership
Fill out my online form.

Basic Membership Privileges

  • Free admission to trails and exhibits
  • Extra guest trail admission tickets may be purchased in person by member at each visit at a discount
  • Programs and cruises may be purchased for guests at member rate when accompanied by member
  • Subscription to quarterly Tracks & Trails newsletter and notification of upcoming programs
  • 10% discount at the Howling Coyote Gift Shop
  • Discounted rates to programs
  • Reciprocal admission at over 200 nature centers through the Association of Nature Center Administrators

Membership Levels

One-Person $50*
Basic Membership Privileges for one named adult
*$10 discount for seniors 65 and up, college students, and educators – must show proof of status
Two-Person $60

Basic Membership Privileges for two named adults at the same address

  • Admits a total of two people per day
Four-Person $90

Basic Membership Privileges for two named adults at the same address

  • Admits a total of four people per day
Six-Person $120

Basic Membership Privileges for two named adults at the same address

  • Admits a total of six people per day
Eight-Person $150

Basic Membership Privileges for two named adults at the same address

  • Admits a total of eight people per day
Wetlands $180

Basic Membership Privileges for two named adults at the same address

  • Admits a total of eight people per day
  • Two transferable lake cruise passes
  • Invitation to donor reception
Field $250

Basic Membership Privileges for two named adults at the same address

  • Admits a total of eight people per day
  • Five transferable trail passes and two transferable lake cruise passes
  • One free Two-Person membership to give as a gift
  • Invitation to donor reception
Forest $500

Basic Membership Privileges for two named adults at the same address

  • Admits a total of eight people per day
  • Ten transferable trail passes and two transferable lake cruise passes
  • One free Four-Person membership to give as a gift
  • Invitation to donor reception
Mt. Fayal $1,000

Basic Membership Privileges for two named adults at the same address

  • Admits a total of eight people per day
  • Ten transferable trail passes and two transferable lake cruise passes
  • Two free Four-Person memberships to give as gifts
  • Invitation to donor reception

PLEASE NOTE

  • Memberships are not valid for school field trips or other organized groups.
  • Please bring your membership card with you when you visit.
  • Members may be asked to show identification.
  • Memberships are not transferable and may not be loaned to individuals not named on the card.
  • Members must be at least 18 years old or more. Children under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • We communicate with members using bulk mail, which is not forwarded by the US Postal Service. Please let us know if your mailing address changes.
  • Please keep us informed of your current email address in order to receive updates.

Membership fees are tax deductible to the extent of the law. Read more.

Membership fees are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Your payment, less the fair market value (FMV) of goods and services received, is deductible for income tax purposes.

The IRS allows members of qualified 501(c) 3 organizations to accept certain insubstantial membership benefits. Since the estimated value of benefits for some membership levels is insubstantial, the full amount of membership fees is deductible for those levels.

For annual membership payments over $75, you may deduct as a charitable contribution only the excess of the membership payment over the estimated fair market of the benefits included in the membership.

For upper level memberships, which receive Trail Passes (valued at $12 each) and/or Lake Cruise Passes (valued at $26 each), the tax deductible amount of your membership payment is reduced. Gift memberships offered as benefits for some levels do not affect the fair market value of your membership or reduce the deduction.

The tax deductible amount will be provided on your membership acknowledgment letter. You may also see more information in the chart below.

Member Level     FMV of Benefits
One-Person $60 $60 $0
Two-Person $75 $75 $0
Four-Person $120 $120 $0
Six-Person $150 $150 $0
Eight-Person $180 $180 $0
Wetlands $250 $198 $52
Field $500 $388 $112
Forest $750 $578 $172
Mt. Fayal $1,000 $776 $224

Should you wish to have your membership be fully tax deductible, you may waive your substantial benefits and you will not receive Trail or Cruise Passes or gift memberships, but will continue to receive free admission and discounts.

Memberships paid through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) are not eligible to receive extra benefits with a substantial fair market value. Payments from DAFs may only be used to pay for memberships with insubstantial or no fair market value ($180 or less). Payments from DAFs for memberships with substantial benefits having a fair market value ($250 or more) must waive extra benefits.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. Our tax ID number is 02-0271824. Prices and fair market values are subject to change. Please consult a tax advisor with questions.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. Our tax ID number is 02-0271824. Prices and fair market values are subject to change. See our Annual Report or IRS Form 990, or request a copy.

top