CAKE & WW
Activities for Families
We currently offer two types of activities for MNS family members with children aged 4 to 17: the Climate Action Kids Engagement (CAKE) field trips and the Wild Wonders (WW) programme. Please refer to the sections below for further information.
Climate Action Kids Engagement (CAKE)
With all the changes in climate, the Malaysian Nature Society’s motto—'know nature, value nature, and act for nature'—feels more relevant than ever. In 2022, MNS Selangor Branch committee member Leong Hon Yuen had a light bulb moment: she saw the potential to connect habitats, the branch, and special interest groups to mentor members' children. That’s how the CAKE programme—Climate Action Kids Engagement—was born. In 2023, she launched a series of field trips to help kids go beyond just learning about nature to truly understanding how it was affected by climate change, and taking baby steps to protect it.
WHAT'S A TYPICAL FIELD TRIP LIKE?
They usually last anywhere from 5 to 8 hours and include a few different sessions.
First, there’s an introductory nature activity to get everyone engaged. Then, they dive into how climate change impacts different species and habitats. Next, they talk about citizen science and how kids can help scientists by making observations that experts can verify. Finally, they discuss some small ways the kids can contribute to protecting those species and habitats.
After the trip, the kids keep their nature journey going with their respective Special Interest Groups. It’s a great way to stay involved!
Before and after the trips, we conducted surveys with both participants and mentors to help shape the program. The feedback showed that everyone really wanted CAKE to continue into 2024. But as we wrap up 2024, we've noticed that kids aged 13 to 18 haven’t signed up for any of the field trips. So, moving into 2025, we’re going to focus solely on supporting the 7 to 12-year-olds...except for that overnight citizen science nature camp!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How many members can you accommodate?
We prefer smaller groups
for a better experience, so each field trip has specific minimum and
maximum participant numbers based on the habitat.
2. Is it possible for the parent to leave their child with us? / Can a guardian accompany my child instead?
All children must be accompanied by their parents during the activities unless stated otherwise.
3. Can I bring my friend and her child who aren’t MNS members?
CAKE field trips are open to current MNS Selangor family members, or junior members accompanied by an individual member. Members from other MNS branches, are also welcome to join.
Non-members can sign up for MNS family membership for as little as RM80 per year, or renew for RM70 annually, which covers parents and all children under 18.
Starting in September 2024, we’ve partnered with Friends of Bukit Kiara (FoBK) in their area, so participants can be either MNS or FoBK members.
4. How much does it cost?
As we’re non-profit, we do
have to charge fees to cover venue rentals, entrance fees,
and materials. Our mentor members don’t charge for their time; they
really just want to see the kids’ excitement and wonder as they explore
nature. It’s priceless!
5. So, I only need to pay for my child, and the parent joins for free, right?
The new pricing in 2025 will include both a child and a parent. An additional fee will cover an extra participant (child/parent).
6. Weather contingency
If it rains, we’ll take a wait-and-see approach at first. But if the rain doesn’t let up, we’ll reschedule the field trip, and participants won’t have to pay the fee again except for permits/venues/catering that require repayment.
7. What's next?
After a CAKE field trip, members can continue their nature journey with the relevant SIGs or join another CAKE field trip.
8. Is it possible to sponsor a field trip for underprivileged kids?
Yes,
we'd be happy to mentor them on a field trip, as long as the children
are from national or independent schools, and are accompanied by
their school teachers. Reach out to us to know more!
9. Are CAKE field trips ever open to the public (non-MNS members)?
On rare occasions, we collaborate with other NGOs or third parties, and during these times, CAKE is also open to non-members.
10. What's the difference between CAKE and WW?
Great question! CAKE is a
nature activity run by the MNS Selangor Branch in collaboration with
its Special Interest Groups (SIG). It focuses on climate change, how it
affects habitats, and simple actions kids and parents can take to help. After a CAKE field trip, members can continue their nature journey with the relevant SIGs.
WW is more flexible, not tied to any SIG. It introduces families to a wider range of wildlife—like insects and mammals—and includes meet-and-greet sessions with scientists and experts in natural sciences. WW also includes an arts & crafts session, so participants can take home a fun keepsake from the day.
Have a question that hasn’t been answered? Feel free to reach out at: events@mnsselangorbranch.org.
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
Rimba Ilmu Universiti Malaya
Rimbun Dahan
Bukit Kiara Federal Park (Friends of Bukit Kiara)
2024 MNS Selangor Mentors
MNS Selangor Branch
MNS Selangor Bird Group
MNS Selangor Herpetofauna Group
MNS Selangor Flora Group
MNS Selangor Nature Guides
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 2023:
Habitats: 3
Branch & SIG Mentors: 24
Participants: 54 kids (7-18 years old) and parents.
- July 8, 2023 - MNS Selangor CAKE6 awarded small environmental grant
- July 9, 2024 - MNS Selangor CAKE12 awarded small environmental grant
- In 2024:
Habitats: 5
Branch & SIG Mentors: 21 + 3 trainee mentors
Participants: 66 kids (7-12) 14 kids (13-18) + 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.
PARENTS' REVIEWS
FIELD TRIP REPORTS
- 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
- Report: Field trip to TTDI Park - Learn bird watching CAKE13 29.12.24
WILD WONDERS (WW)
Wild Wonders is a nature education programme which do not meet the criteria for CAKE. It was developed by Leong Hon Yuen, a committee member of the MNS Selangor Branch. Although initially planned for launch in 2025, the programme was brought forward to align with the Taman Tun Dr Ismail Golden Jubilee celebration in December 2024.
While Wild Wonders is primarily intended for MNS members, non-members may participate occasionally, though at a higher fee. In 2025, the programme will enter its trial phase, during which it will be refined based on feedback from both participants and mentors—similar to the approach taken with CAKE in 2023.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How many members can you accommodate?
We prefer smaller groups
for a better experience, so each programme has specific minimum and
maximum participant numbers based on the habitat.
2. Is it possible for the parent to leave their child with us? / Can a guardian accompany my child instead?
All children must be accompanied by their parent(s) during the activities unless stated otherwise.
3. Can I bring my friend and her child who aren’t MNS members?
The programme is only available to non-MNS members when it is specifically opened to them. Otherwise, non-members can sign up for MNS family membership for as little as RM80 per year, or renew for RM70 annually, which covers parents and all children under 18.
4. How much does it cost?
As we’re non-profit, we do
have to charge fees to cover venue rentals, entrance fees,
and materials. Our volunteer members and invited speakers don’t charge for their time; they
really just want to see the kids’ excitement and wonder as they explore
nature. It’s priceless!
5. So, I only need to pay for my child, and the parent joins for free, right?
The
fee will include both a child and a parent. An
additional fee will cover an extra participant (child/parent).
6. Weather contingency
If
it rains, we’ll take a wait-and-see approach at first. But if the rain
doesn’t let up, we’ll reschedule the field trip, and participants won’t
have to pay the fee again, unless the place we are visiting requires permits/rental/catering costs in advance.
7. Are WW programmes ever open to the public (non-MNS members)?
Yes! Wild Wonders was designed to also include the public, but only when the programme allows it.
8. What's the difference between WW and CAKE?
Great question! CAKE is a nature activity run by the MNS Selangor Branch in collaboration with its Special Interest Groups (SIG). It focuses on climate change, how it affects habitats, and simple actions kids and parents can take to help. After a CAKE field trip, members can continue their nature journey with the relevant SIGs.
WW is more flexible, not tied to any SIG. It introduces families to a wider range of wildlife—like insects and mammals—and includes meet-and-greet sessions with scientists and experts in natural sciences. WW also includes an arts & crafts session, so participants can take home a fun keepsake from the day.
Have a question that hasn’t been answered? Feel free to reach out at: events@mnsselangorbranch.org.
PROGRAMME REPORT
- Report: How to be a hornbill hero at TTDI Park? 29.12.2024 WW01
