Squam Lake Science Center Membership
The value of your membership goes beyond saving on trail admission. Membership dues help fund educational programs for schools, families, and children; care and feeding of our animals; upkeep of trails, exhibits, and buildings; Kirkwood Gardens; lake education cruises; and general operating expenses. Most importantly, your membership helps advance our mission: to advance understanding of ecology by exploring New Hampshire’s natural world.
Become a member or renew online today, or share the gift of discovery and outdoor adventure with a gift membership to the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. It’s a thoughtful way to introduce friends and family to unforgettable experiences with wildlife, nature trails, cruises, and hands-on learning.
Why Membership Matters
Your membership truly does make a difference. It:
- Supports animal care, wildlife education, and environmental stewardship
- Keeps trails, exhibits, and Kirkwood Gardens beautiful and accessible
- Helps fund Squam Lake Cruises and hands-on programs for all ages
As a member, you enjoy generous benefits while supporting a nonprofit mission you care about.
Basic Membership Privileges
All Squam Lake Science Center memberships include:
- Free admission to trails and exhibits
- Discounted tickets for Squam Lake Cruises, trail admission, and education programs (discount applies to guest tickets when accompanied by a member)
- 10% discount at the Howling Coyote Gift Shop
- Reciprocal admission or discounts at 150+ nature centers through the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA)
- Reciprocal admission at various regional attractions that change annually
- 15% discount on room rentals in the Trailhead Program and Event space
- Subscription to the quarterly Tracks & Trails newsletter and notifications of upcoming programs
- Members with a Four-Person membership or higher may purchase a Caregiver Pass. To add a Caregiver Pass, contact Nicole Verspyck, Development Coordinator, at 603-968-7194 x124 or email nicole.verspyck@nhnature.org
Membership Levels
Standard Memberships
One-Person
- Basic Membership Privileges for one named adult
- $10 discount available for seniors 65+, college students, and educators (proof of status required)
Two-Person
- Basic Membership Privileges for two named adults at the same address
- Admits a total of two people per day
- 50% off trail admission for up to two accompanying guests
Four-Person
- Basic Membership Privileges for two named adults at the same address
- Admits a total of four people per day
- 15% room rental discount (Trailhead Program and Event space)
- Eligible for $25 non transferable season Caregiver Pass
- 50% off trail admission for up to an additional four accompanying guests
Six-Person
- Basic Membership Privileges for two named adults at the same address
- Admits a total of six people per day
- 15% room rental discount
- Eligible for $25 non transferable season Caregiver Pass
- 50% off trail admission for up to an additional six accompanying guests
Eight-Person
- Basic Membership Privileges for two named adults at the same address
- Admits a total of eight people per day
- 15% room rental discount (Trailhead Program and Event space)
- Eligible for $25 non transferable season Caregiver Pass
- 50% off trail admission for eight accompanying guests
Family Access Membership (Not available to purchase online)
Family Access Membership (Six-Person)
- Available to families receiving food assistance (SNAP/EBT/WIC)
- Application must be made in person May 1 through November 1 (not available online)
- An eligible adult must provide name, address, email, phone number, and show a current EBT or WIC card and ID
- Includes Basic Membership Privileges for one named adult
- Admits a total of six people per day
Donor Memberships
Wetlands
- Basic Membership Privileges for two named adults at the same address
- Admits a total of eight people per day
- Add 50% off trail admission for up to eight accompanying guests
- 15% room rental discount
- Free Caregiver Pass
- Two transferable lake cruise passes
- Invitation to a donor event
Field
- Basic Membership Privileges for two named adults at the same address
- Admits a total of eight people per day
- Add 50% off trail admission for up to eight accompanying guests
- 15% room rental discount
- Free Caregiver Pass
- Five transferable trail passes and two transferable lake cruise passes
- One free Two-Person membership to give as a gift
- Invitation to a donor event
Forest
- Basic Membership Privileges for two named adults at the same address
- Admits a total of eight people per day
- Add 50% off trail admission for up to eight accompanying guests
- 15% room rental discount
- Free Caregiver Pass
- Ten transferable trail passes and two transferable lake cruise passes
- One free Four-Person membership to give as a gift
- Invitation to a donor event
Mt. Fayal
- Basic Membership Privileges for two named adults at the same address
- Admits a total of eight people per day
- Add 50% off trail admission for up to eight accompanying guests
- 15% room rental discount
- Free Caregiver Pass
- Ten transferable trail passes and two transferable lake cruise passes
- Two free Four-Person memberships to give as gifts
- Invitation to a donor event
Caregiver Pass (Must be purchased in person by the primary member)
The Caregiver Pass is designed for families who want trusted caregivers—such as babysitters, nannies, and grandparents—to bring their children to the Science Center when the primary member cannot be there.
- Available with a minimum Four-Person membership
- Extends trail admission benefits to a caregiver escorting the member’s children (under 18)
- No other benefits are included beyond trail admission with the member’s children
- $25 each; limit of two Caregiver Passes per membership per season (May 1 – November 1, non transferrable)
Available at the Admissions window by primary member
Caregivers receive a Temporary Membership Card with the member ID, level, and expiration date; all Caregiver Passes expire at the end of the trail season on November 1. Caregivers must be at least 16 years old and present a photo ID with the Caregiver Temporary Membership Pass at Admissions.
Reciprocity and Bonus Benefits
Members receive discounted admission at participating nature centers through the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA), plus special bonus benefits at various regional attractions that change each season. Before you visit another ANCA center or monthly reciprocal partner, check with that organization for details about their operating status and reciprocal admission policies.
Becoming a Squam Lakes Natural Science Center member gives you both everyday value at Squam and access to a broader network of nature centers committed to environmental education, stewardship, and sustainability.
Reciprocal admission is generally good for up to two adults and two youth per visit. Be sure to take your membership card with you when you go. Check with specific organizations for hours, directions, and information.
Important Membership Information
- Memberships are not valid for school field trips or other organized groups
- Please bring your membership card each time 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; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult
Tax Deductibility
Membership fees are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Your payment, less the fair market value (FMV) of goods and services received, may be deductible for income tax purposes; the deductible amount will be noted on your membership acknowledgment letter.
For some membership levels, the value of benefits is considered insubstantial, so the full amount is deductible. For others, a portion is not deductible due to the value of passes and other benefits. If you prefer your membership to be fully tax deductible, you may waive substantial benefits; you will not receive trail or cruise passes or gift memberships, but you will continue to receive free admission and discounts.
Memberships paid through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) are not eligible for benefits with substantial fair market value. Payments from DAFs may only be used for memberships with insubstantial or no fair market value, and such memberships must waive extra benefits.
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; tax ID number 02-0271824. Prices and fair market values are subject to change. Please consult a tax advisor with specific questions.