CAKE & WW

Activities for Families with Minors
1) Climate Action Kids Engagement (CAKE) 
2) Wild Wonders (WW)

We offer two engaging activities for families with children aged 4–17. When open to the public, MNS members receive preferential discounts. From 2026, Wild Wonders will also welcome individual participants. See the sections below for more details on each activity.

Climate Action Kids Engagement (CAKE)

With climate change reshaping our world, the Malaysian Nature Society’s motto—know nature, value nature, act for nature—has never been more urgent. In 2022, MNS Selangor Branch committee member HY Leong saw an opportunity: connect habitats, the branch, and special interest groups to mentor members’ children. From this idea, the Climate Action Kids Engagement (CAKE) programme was born.

 

By 2023, CAKE launched field trips designed to help kids not just learn about nature, but also understand how climate change affects it—and take small steps to protect it.

The pilot began in February 2023 with a visit to Paya Burung (Bird Wetlands), FRIM. Children aged 7–17 joined Bird Group mentors for birdwatching, while learning how climate change impacts species and habitats. Parents took part too, making it a meaningful family experience.



 
Site visit to Forest Research Institute Malaysia 
Site visit: Forest Research Institute Malaysia 21.2.2023 - CAKE Mentors carry out a site visit or recce before a field trip with participants.
 

 
 Site visit to Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden, Universiti Malaya
Site visit: Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden, Universiti Malaya 3.3.2023

What’s a Typical CAKE Field Trip Like?

They run from 3–5 hours and include:

  • Kick-off activity: Fun intro to nature.

  • Climate focus: How climate change affects species and habitats.

  • Citizen science: Kids learn to record observations that conservationists can use.

  • Action steps: Simple ways to protect nature.

After each trip, families continue their nature journey with the MNS Selangor Branch's Special Interest Groups.

Surveys with families and mentors confirmed strong support for CAKE to continue. But by the end of 2024, we saw teens (13–17) stop joining. So in 2025, CAKE will focus on kids aged 7–12, with occasional family events that include parents and teens.

MENTORS 










2023 Habitat Mentors
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
Rimba Ilmu Universiti Malaya
Kuala Selangor Nature Park

2023 MNS Selangor Mentors
MNS Selangor Branch
MNS Selangor Bird Group
MNS Selangor Nature Guides
MNS Selangor Marine Group


2024 Habitat Mentors
 



2025 Habitat Mentors
Taman Rimba Bukit Kerinchi [4.10.25]
 
2025 MNS Selangor Mentors

2026 Habitat Mentors

  
2026 MNS Selangor Mentors

MILESTONES 

  • The CAKE trial phase took place from February to November 2023. Out of the six planned field trips, four were successfully held, while two were canceled due to not meeting the minimum number of participants. 

  • In 2024:
    Habitats: 5
    Branch & SIG Mentors: 21 + 3 trainee mentors
    Participants:     66 kids (7-12) 14 kids (13-17) + 50 parents + 3 school volunteers = 133

  • The CAKE normal phase ran from May to December 2024, during which six out of seven planned field trips took place. One trip for the teenagers was canceled due to a lack of sign-ups. 
  • In 2025: 
    Habitats: 2 
    Branch & SIG Mentors: 15
    Participants: 44     (23 adults 21 children 7-18 years old)
  • CAKE ran from September to October 2025, with two field trips. That year also marked a milestone with CAKE’s first overnight citizen science nature camp at FRIM, where participants were introduced to birds, flora, and herpetofauna. CAKE also celebrated its first collaboration with the recently established Mycology SIG, expanding opportunities for families to discover the fascinating world of fungi.

FIELD TRIP REPORTS (CAKE)

  • Report: Field trip to FRIM: Discover Bird Watching 25.2.2023 CAKE01
  • Field trip to Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden (cancelled due to insufficient participants) CAKE02
  • Report: Field trip to FRIM: Discover Bird Watching 29.4.2023 CAKE03
  • Report: Field trip to Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden 13.5.2023 CAKE04
  • Field trip to Kuala Selangor Nature Park (cancelled due to insufficient participants) CAKE05 
  • Report: Field trip to Kuala Selangor Nature Park - Discover Mangroves 19.11.2023 CAKE06 Supported by the Selangor State Government's Geran Kecil Alam Sekitar
  • Report: Field trip to Perdana Botanic Gardens - Learn bird watching CAKE7 11.5.2024
  • Field trip to Perdana Botanic Gardens - Learn bird watching (cancelled due to no sign-ups from 13-18) CAKE8
  • Report: Field trip to Rimba Ilmu Botanic Gardens - Carbon Guzzlers CAKE9 13.7.2024
  • Report: Field trip to learn about fallen trees, future forests: how seeds bring them back! CAKE10 7.9.2024
  • Report: Field trip to BAKTI & Kiara Hills Federal Park - Discover reptiles & amphibians CAKE11 14.9.2024
  • Report: Field trip to Rimba Ilmu Botanic Gardens - Carbon Guzzlers CAKE12 13.10.24 Supported by the Lions Club of Subang Jaya
  • Report: Field trip to TTDI Park - Learn bird watching CAKE13 29.12.2024
  • Report: Citizen Science Nature Camp (CAKE14) 20-21.9.2025
  • Report: Field trip to Taman Rimba Bukit Kerinchi - Introduction to Fungi CAKE15 4.10.2025

WILD WONDERS (WW)

Wild Wonders is a nature education     program by HY Leong of the MNS Selangor Branch, designed for families to explore diverse species and meet real-life conservationists. Children can learn about dragonflies, hornbills, or engage with the Orang Asli community—experiences beyond the branch’s usual special interest groups.

Launched early in December 2024 for the Taman Tun Dr Ismail Golden Jubilee, Wild Wonders ran a trial phase with three trips in 2025. In 2026, it will open to both individuals and families, with MNS members enjoying a discounted fee.

WILD WONDER REPORTS (WW)

  • Report: How to be a hornbill hero at TTDI Park 29.12.2024 (WW01)
  • Report: Damsels & Dragons at Rimbun Dahan 11.10.2025 (WW02) 
  • Report: Temu the Temuans at Kampung Orang Asli Busut Baru 19.10.25 (WW03) 
  • Report: Wings of Wonder at Taman Perdana Botani and Royal Lake Club 2.11.25 (WW04)

Frequently Asked Questions (CAKE & Wild Wonders)

1. What’s the difference between CAKE and Wild Wonders?

  • CAKE: Led by MNS Selangor Branch Special Interest Groups (SIGs), focusing on birds, plants/trees, amphibians & reptiles, and fungi—how climate change affects them, and simple actions families can take to help.

  • Wild Wonders: More flexible, not restricted to a SIG. Covers a wider range of wildlife, includes expert meet-and-greets, and incorporates arts & crafts activities.

2. How many participants can join?

Group sizes are kept small to ensure a quality experience. Exact numbers depend on the habitat or venue.

3. Can I drop my child off?

  • CAKE: No. Every child must be accompanied by at least one parent, unless otherwise stated.

  • Wild Wonders (WW): From 2026, individual members may join without a parent. Minors must still be accompanied by a parent.

4. Can non-members join?

Yes, if the event is open to the public. MNS members receive a preferential rate/discount.

Non-members can enjoy the preferential rate by signing up for an MNS family membership which covers parents and children under 18 (RM80 first year, RM70 renewal) or individual membership (RM70 first year, RM60 renewal). Sign-up as a member here.

5. How much does it cost?

Fees cover the venue, permits, and materials with a token sum donated to the branch and special interest groups that funds outreach programmes for the public's.g. Open Day. Mentors and speakers volunteer their time.

6. Do parents join for free?

Yes for CAKE field trips. From 2025, fees cover one child plus one parent. Additional fees apply for extra participants.

7. What if it rains?

We wait and see. If the rain continues, the trip will be rescheduled. Fees are carried forward, except for non-refundable costs (permits, venue, catering).

8. What happens after a trip?

CAKE participants can continue their nature journey with MNS Selangor Branch's SIGs or join other CAKE field trips they have not yet experienced. 

9. Can I sponsor a trip for underprivileged children?

Yes. Sponsorships are welcomed for students from independent schools, accompanied by their teachers.

Have a question we didn’t cover? Email: events@mnsselangorbranch.org

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