Environmental Education Programs

Programs are intended to provide first hand experience for the students by instilling an awareness, conceptual understanding and appreciation for the environment. Activities encourage the use of all senses, while discussions aim for an understanding of human needs versus impact, thus illustrating the meaning and tools of conservation. 

When selecting programs it is imperative that each teacher is aware of their classes understanding in these areas. Remember that your students may have been exposed to some of these topics through a prior visit to our parks or at another nature center.

Signs of Spring
Location: Oxbow, Bonneyville, River Preserve
Grades: K-6th
Time: 45 min.-1 hour
Spring is in the air! Wildflowers are blooming, trees are leafing out, birds are migrating and animals are giving birth to their young. On this hike students will discover these and many other natural changes of the spring season.

A Sense of Nature
Location: Oxbow, Bonneyville, River Preserve
Grades: K-2nd
Time: 45 min.-1 hour
Students will take a sensory adventure through the park and discover the colors, scents, sounds and textures of the natural world.

Wild About Wetlands
Location: Oxbow, Bonneyville, River Preserve
Grades: 3rd-12th
Time: 1-1/2 hours
What is a wetland? Why are they so important? Why are we so wild about them? Students will find out through hands-on activities and the investigation of the wetlands wet and wild inhabitants.

Fun and Games
Location: Oxbow, Bonneyville
Grades: 1st-5th
Time: 1-1/2 hours
Learning can be fun, and games can teach a lot. This activity combines the perfect mixture of games and learning to give the students a better understanding of our natural world. Through hiking and nature games, the naturalist will make your visit a fun and rewarding experience.

Don't Bug Me, I'm an Insect
Location: Oxbow, Bonneyville, River Preserve
Grades: 1st-5th
Time: 1 hour
How do insects differ from other animals? How do they grow and mature? How do they benefit us? During this program students will explore the insect world through hands-on activities, games and hikes.

Bonneyville Mill Tours
Location: Bonneyville Mill
Grades: All
Time: 45 min. - 1 hour
The staff at Bonneyville Mill are always happy to demonstrate and explain how water power has been harnessed to grind grain into flour. Mill tours can be geared toward particular areas of interest (History, Science, Social Studies, Nutrition, etc.) when so requested. Please note that the mill operates between 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Students may also purchase Bonneyville flour/grain if they so desire. The prices are as follows:
 

Museum Tour Topics
This list of tour topics has been developed to cover the various themes encompassed by the Elkhart County Historical Museum's collection. These topics were selected to compliment the educational curriculum for the various grade levels identified. The introductory tours were organized to give the students a brief overview of the areas listed, and the remaining tours focus on a particular theme which will be illustrated during the tour through museum artifacts and the tour guide interpretations. Please plan on arriving at the museum ten to fifteen minutes prior to the tour for a brief introduction.

Barn Again! Celebrating an American Icon Exhibit and Tour
Barn Again! is coming to the Elkhart County Historical Museum March 13 - April 14, 2002. Barn Again! Celebrating an American Icon is a Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit that explores the history, folkways and symbolism of the American barn. Students will have an opportunity to tour the exhibit, participate in hands-on activities and explore the museum's own Barn Room full of local barn artifacts. This is an opportunity you won't want your class to miss. Teachers planning a tour of the Barn Again! exhibit are encouraged to schedule it between March 13 and March 28 if possible. See Events Page for upcoming Barn Again! special programs and events. 

Introduction to the Elkhart County Historical Museum (Tour #1)
This tour briefly covers five of our most popular rooms. Rooms toured are the Depot, Native American Hallway, Emporium, Children's Room and the Barn. Program time is one hour and the group will spend approximately twelve (12) minutes in each room. Suggested for all age/grade levels. Group size must be 60 or fewer for this tour.

Introduction to the Elkhart County Historical Museum (Tour #2)
This tour covers five of our display rooms. Rooms toured include the Memorial Room Not So Long Ago, Treasures of the Past, Cottage and Victorian. Program time is one hour and the group will spend approximately twelve (12) minutes in each room. Suggested for all age/grade levels. Group size must be 60 or fewer.

*Please note a combination tour of 1 & 2 is available for older students grade levels 5 and up. Program time is 2 hours.

Regional Native Americans
The students will be divided into three groups. The groups will visit the Native American Hallway, a hands-on archaeology dig and will learn about the lifestyle of the Potawatomi Indians which lived in this area. Native American games or crafts will be reviewed. The group size must be 45 or fewer students. Program time is one hour. Suggested grade levels 3rd and up.

Early Schools of Elkhart County:
The students sample the one-room-school, write with feathered pens and examine a box of hands-on pioneer toys. Group size must be 45 or fewer for this tour. Suggested age/grade level is 3rd grade. Program time is 1-1/2 hours.

Early Settlers & Pioneers Of Elkhart County
The rooms included on this tour are: Township, Native American Hallway, Barn, Cottage and a hands-on activity. The time period covered is the 1700's -1844. Suggested age/grade level is 4th grade. Group size must be 60 or fewer for this tour. Program time is one hour fifteen minutes (1-1/4 hours). 

Post Settlement-Elkhart County 1844-1910
The rooms included are: Emporium, Victorian Row House, Depot, Treasures of the Past and a hands-on activity. Suggested grade level is 5th grade and older. Group size must be 60 or fewer. Program time is one hour.

A Day in a One-Room School
This allows children to experience first-hand a school day similar to one in the year 1890. Working arithmetic problems on a slate board, reading aloud from the recitation bench and practicing penmanship with a "feathered" pen are all part of the day's activities. Students are asked to bring a sack lunch and the museum will furnish hot chocolate/lemonade. Students are encouraged to dress in period clothing. This program is specifically designed for groups of ten (10) children or less. Generally essay winners or some specially selected groups attend the program. The hours of this program will begin about 9:00 a.m. or after and go through 1:30 p.m., all groups must have adult supervision. This program is designed for 3rd grade students.

Map Study Program
The Map Study Program will discuss various types of maps and how they are made and used. The course is derived from the Ambrose Bierce collection housed in the museum library. It will cover surveying techniques, calculations and the use of hands-on draft instruments, similar to those used by Ambrose Bierce, who was a Civil War cartographer. If time and interest permits, older students may practice map sketching. Program time is 1-1 « hours. The program is designed for groups of (10) or less. Suggested grade levels are from 5th grade to high school. This program is also available for all scouting/youth groups. Please call the museum at 848-4322 for program availability.

Tactics, Strategy & Uniforms of the Revolutionary War Period
This program covers Indiana's part in the Revolutionary War and is taught by Terry Trimmer, who is a member of the Varnum Continentals, a colonial militia company. Program time is one hour. Suggested grade levels are 4th grade to adult. Please call the museum at 219-848-4322 for program availability. Program time is 45 minutes.

Museum Slides
A slide show program is available which serves as an introduction to the museum. This program is given by a museum tour guide in your classroom. If you would like us to emphasize a certain area or subject, just call the museum and we will be glad to work with you. Program time is approximately 30-45 minutes and can be used for all ages and grade levels.

Program Fees
All groups scheduling environmental/historical education programs at our facilities are required to pay a fee. A $1.00 per person fee is required for all Elkhart County groups and a $2.00 per person fee is required for all groups outside Elkhart County. Payment must be received one week prior to the program date. Checks are made payable to: Elkhart County Parks, 211 West Lincoln Ave., Goshen, IN 46526-3280.

Environmental Education & Bonneyville Mill 
Environmental education programs on various topics including energy, wildlife, trees, weather, insects, seeds, mushrooms, erosion, pollution, recycling, limiting factors or illustrate skills such as compass use. We can also use nature to illustrate subjects such as math, or direct classes in nature games/crafts or ecological studies. We prefer to go to classes for presentations such as careers in natural resources or parks during the winter months and have students come outdoors in spring and fall.

Accessible Education
The Elkhart County Park and Recreation Department believes that all students should have the opportunity for quality environmental and historical education. We welcome all students regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age or disability to participate in our programs. If you or your students have a disability requiring special accommodations for access to programs or facilities, please notify our office when scheduling your program. The staff will be happy to coordinate with you any special needs you may have.

Locations
Programs at Ox Bow Park begin at Black Maple shelter by the bridge. Programs at Bonneyville Mill Park begin at Feedlot shelter across from the Mill. Naturalists meet classes at the Benton Spillway parking lot on County Road 31 south of County Road 44, near Benton for programs at the River Preserve.

Group Size
The staff will usually work with 12-15 students at time to provide an efficient learning atmosphere. All classes and organizations are required to provide one adult for every 7-10 students. These people will be responsible for the conduct of the students.

Scheduling
All programs are by reservation only. The Elkhart County Park and Recreation office 574-535-6458, will accept reservations Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. We suggest that you make reservations at least two weeks in advance if possible. If you wish to guide your class through the parks yourself, please schedule your hike with our office to be sure of space and so our staff won't schedule activities conflicting with your plans. Teachers are also advised to make alternate plans should adverse weather or other factors complicate your plans. The staff will be prepared, despite weather conditions and will wait up to ten (10) minutes for late groups. It is up to the teacher or group leader to cancel program(s) if unable to attend, or call when arriving late.

Class Preparations
We recommend that you prepare your class before arriving at the park. Notify students of proper clothing for the weather and environment they may encounter. Teachers should also advise students of safety guidelines and park rules. These include staying on trail, listening to the Naturalist, not littering and saving plants and animals for others. All adults with a group should be aware of any allergies or other medical problems that might occur.

Elkhart County Historical Museum Tours 
Activity Packets: Activity booklets/packets especially designed for students visiting the museum are available upon request. A copy should be picked up by the teacher prior to the tour. Contact the museum at 574-848-4322 for more information.

Scheduling: Due to the fact we rely upon volunteers and part-time staff to lead the tours, we ask that you plan to schedule your tour or program at least three (3) weeks in advance.

Location: The museum is located at 304 West Vistula Road or State Road 120, in Bristol. Please use the west entrance and ring the door bell upon arrival. Plan on arriving 10 minutes prior to the tour. Tentatively plan on going downstairs to the conference room for an introduction. Following the introduction, the groups will be divided into smaller groups of fifteen (15) or fewer students per tour guide. It would be helpful if you have the group divided in advance.

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