CAKE & WW
Activities for Families
We currently offer two engaging activity types for families with children aged 4 to 17: the Climate Action Kids Engagement (CAKE) field trips and the Wild Wonders (WW) programme. When these activities are opened to the public, MNS members enjoy preferential discounts. Please refer to the sections below for more details on each programme.
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.
What’s a Typical CAKE Field Trip Like?
Trips run 5–8 hours with several sessions:
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Kick-off activity: Fun intro to nature.
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Climate focus: How climate change affects species and habitats.
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Citizen science: Kids learn to record observations that conservationists can use.
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Action steps: Simple ways to protect nature.
After each trip, kids continue learning with their 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
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 (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
- Report: Field trip to TTDI Park - Learn bird watching CAKE13 29.12.24
WILD WONDERS (WW)
Wild Wonders is a nature education programme created by HY Leong, committee member of the MNS Selangor Branch. It doesn’t fall under CAKE but was developed as a separate initiative.
Originally planned for 2025, it was launched earlier in December 2024 to coincide with the Taman Tun Dr Ismail Golden Jubilee celebration. In 2025, Wild Wonders will run as a trial phase, with feedback from participants and mentors guiding its development—just like CAKE’s pilot in 2023.
Upcoming Wild Wonders:
In 2025
11.10.25 - Damsels & Dragons (WW02) at Rimbun Dahan
19.10.25 - Temu the Temuans (WW03) at Kampung Orang Asli Busut Baru
2.11.25 - Wings of Wonder (WW04) at Taman Perdana Botani and Royal Lake Club - in conjunction with National Hornbill Day
WORKSHOP REPORTS (WW)
- Report: How to be a hornbill hero at TTDI Park? 29.12.2024 WW01
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many participants can join?
Group sizes are kept small for a better experience. Numbers depend on the habitat or venue.
2. Can I drop my child off?
No. Every child must be accompanied by at least one parent, unless stated otherwise.
3. Can non-members join?
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CAKE and Wild Wonders: Yes, if the event is open to the public, MNS members receive a preferential rate/discount.
- CAKE: Parents with children 7-12 years old and/or 13-17 years old
- WW: Parents with children 4-17 years old unless restricted due to the habitat capacity/unsuitability of activities for pre-schoolers or early primary school going children.
Non-members can enjoy the preferential rate by signing up for MNS family membership (RM80/year, RM70 renewal) which covers parents and children under 18.
4. How much does it cost?
Fees cover venue, permits, and materials. Mentors and speakers volunteer their time.
5. Do parents join for free?
Yes. From 2025, fees will cover one child + one parent. Additional fees apply for extra participants.
6. What if it rains?
We wait and see. If rain continues, the trip will be rescheduled. Fees are carried forward, except for non-refundable costs (permits, venue, catering).
7. What happens after a trip?
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CAKE: Participants can continue their nature journey with MNS Special Interest Groups (SIGs) or join more CAKE trips.
8. Can I sponsor a trip for underprivileged kids?
Yes. We welcome sponsorships for students from national or independent schools, accompanied by their teachers.
9. What’s the difference between CAKE and Wild Wonders?
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CAKE: Led by MNS Selangor Branch with its Special Interest Groups. Focuses on birds, plants/trees, amphibians & reptiles, and fungi—how climate change affects them, and simple actions families can take to help.
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Wild Wonders: More flexible, not tied to Special Interest Groups. Covers a wider range of wildlife, includes expert meet-and-greets, and arts & crafts.
Have a question we didn’t cover?
Email us at events@mnsselangorbranch.org
