The Elkhart County Park and Recreation department offers a wide variety of environmental and historical education programs for students from pre-school thru high school. Our 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, importance and tools of conservation.

For more information or to schedule a program, please contact the Elkhart County Parks Administration Office at (574) 535-6458

Fall Environmental Education 2009:
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.

 

View the 2009/2010 Environmental & Historical Program Guide Here!

Awesome Autumn

Oxbow, Bonneyville, River Preserve
Grades:  K-6th, 45 mins.-1 hour
Autumn is a great time for a hike with its crisp air and colorful foliage. It is also a time of preparation and change. On this hike students will discover how the plants and animals of the park are preparing for winter.

Meet A Tree:

Oxbow, Bonneyville, River Preserve

Grades: 3rd-12th, 1-1½ hour
Through nature games and a hike, students will learn to identify many of the trees in the park and discover their uses to us and the park’s wildlife.

Wild About Wetlands:

Oxbow, Bonneyville, River Preserve

Grades: 3-12th, 1-1½ hour
What is a wetland? Why are they so important? Why are we sowild about them? Students will find out through hands-on activities and the investigation of the wet and wild inhabitants.

Fun and Games:

Oxbow, Bonneyville

Grades: 1st-5th, 1-1½ 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.

The Wonderful World of Insects

Oxbow, Bonneyville, River Preserve
Grades: 1st-5th, 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. This program is available from May thru October only.

If We Were Indians

Oxbow, Bonneyville, River Preserve

Grades: 3rd-12th, 1-1½ hours
Step back in time to the life of the Potawatomi Indians. Through stories, facts and activities students will learn of the Indian’s lifestyle and reverence for the natural world.

Historical Education

Mill Tours:

Bonneyville Mill:
All Grades, 30 minutes-1 hour

The staff at Bonneyville Mill is 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, etc.) when so requested. Please note that the mill operates between 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m..

Students are welcome to purchase mill products. Two pound bags are $2.50 for corn meal and $3.50 for wheat flours. Please schedule extra time if purchases will be made.

Environmental Education & Bonneyville Mill 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.

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 Parkbegin at Feedlot Shelter across from the Mill. Programs at the River Preserve begin at the Benton Spillway parking lot onCounty Road 31 south of County Road 44, near Benton, IN.

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

Program Fees: For the 2009/2010 school year, the fees are $2/person for the first program. If you are doing multiple programs on the same day - please add $1/person fee for each additional program (for example is you are doing a nature hike AND mill tour on same day - the cost will be $3 per person) Out-of-County classes must add $1/person. 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

Museum Tour Topics

Programs at the Elkhart County Historical Museum

Changes are abounding here at the Elkhart County Historical Museum! We are currently in the process of updating our program offerings. Below are our current offerings, but keep your eyes and ears open for exciting changes as they occur!

Regional Native Americans

Learn about the earliest inhabitants of North America. Discover how the Native Americans of this region lived before and after contact with the Europeans. Program time for this tour is one hour.
Grades: 3-12

Story of Elkhart County

See and hear the story of our County from then to now! See the amazing collections preserved in the Elkhart County Historical museum.
Grades: K-12

Pioneer Life

Who were the pioneers? How did their life differ from our own? What's a flail and basket winnow? During this program you will discover these answers and more!

Grades: K-12

Hands-on History Stations
Rotate through various hands-on stations chosen by the teacher. Native games, natural dyes, and candle-making

are some of the choices!

Grades: K-6

The 1840s Farmer

This visiting 1840s farmer will will teach your class about farming and pioneer life with lots of interaction.

Grades: K-6

Life During the Industrial Revolution
Learn about family life during the Industrial Revolution. See how the railroads played a major role in expanding the industry of Elkhart County.

Grades: K-12

Discovery Box Program

Can't seem to find the time or money to plan a field trip to the Elkhart County Historical Museum? Bring the museum directly to your classroom by checking out one of four Discovery Boxes! These boxes are filled with reproduction artifacts and lesson plans that teachers can check out for free and use for one week.

American Indian Experience in Elkhart County

Learn about the Potawatomie & Miami Indians who lived in the area around Elkhart County from the time of the first European exploration to their forced removal in the 1830's. Find out about their lifestyle and the changes that occurred during the fur trade. See how artists like George Winter contribute to our understanding of the past.

Grade level: 4

Pioneer Life

Discover life in 1839 Elkhart County through the eyes of two children. Students will learn what life was like for these two siblings as they read their journal entries talking about life at school and at home.

Grade level: 1-3

Comparative Ethnic Studies

Find out about issues related to immigration in Elkhart County during both past and present times. Eight ethnic groups will be featured in the historical interpretation of the area.

Grade level: 3

World War II in Elkhart County

This discovery box will highlight life on the home front during WWII. Themes include conservation, the expanding role of women, the impact of the media, “V” for Victory, & dissention.

Grade level: 9-12

Special Notes

Museum Scheduling:
Call the Elkhart County Parks office at 574-535-6458 from 8:00 am- 4:00 pm Monday through Friday to schedule programs at the museum. Guided museum tours can be scheduled Tuesday through Friday (the museum is closed Mondays) beginning at 9:00 am until about 3:00 pm. If you wish to guide your class through the museum yourself, you still must schedule your visit with the office to be sure there is no conflict with other tours or events. It is up to each teacher or group leader to cancel programs if unable to attend, or call when arriving late. Teachers will be responsible for the conduct of their students.

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

Environmental and Historical Programming
Indiana State Standards

Environmental Education - Science Standards

Awesome Autumn (K-6)
K: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 4.1, 4.2, 6.1
1: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 3.1, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 6.2
2: 1.1, 1.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.5, 5.3, 5.5
3: 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 2.7, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.3, 5.5, 6.5
4: 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 6.4
5: 2.8, 4.4, 4.5, 4.7, 6.1, 6.4
6: 1.1, 1.2, 3.12, 3.13, 4.3, 4.4, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10, 5.6

Meet A Tree (3-12)
3: 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 4.1, 4.4, 6.1
4: 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6
5: 4.4, 4.5, 4.7
6: 3.16, 4.1,4.3,4.6,4.8,4.9,4.10

Wild About Wetlands (3-12)
3: 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 5.5, 6.5
4: 1.3, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6
5: 1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 1.6, 2.8, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.9, 6.1, 6.3
6: 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.9, 2.3, 2.8, 3.8, 3.13, 3.16, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10
7: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.8, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 4.14, 5.4
8: 1.1, 1.2, 2.3, 3.6, 4.4, 4.8, 7.2, 7.5, 7.7

Fun & Games (1-5)
1: 1.2, 1.2, 2.2, 2.3, 2.6, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 6.1
2: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 3.1, 3.4, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.8, 5.3, 5.5, 6.2
3: 1.5, 1.6, 2.7, 3.5, 3.6, 4.1, 4.6, 5.5, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3
4: 1.3, 1.4, 2.4, 3.12, 3.13, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6, 6.1, 6.2
5: 4.4, 4.5, 4.7, 4.9, 6.1

Wonderful World of Insects (1-5)
1: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.5, 2.6, 3.4, 3.5, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 5.1,
5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2
2: 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.7, 5.6, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3
3: 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6, 5.5, 6.3
4: 3.13, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6, 6.3
5: 1.4, 1.6, 3.12, 4.1, 4.4, 4.5, 4.7, 6.1

If We Were Indians (1-5)
3: 1.1, 1.7
4: 1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 1.13, 4.1
5: 1.1, 1.3, 1.7

Critter Corner (Pre-3)
K: 3.2, 4.1, 4.2
1: 1.2, 3.4, 4.3, 4.4, 6.2
2: 3.4, 4.1, 4.3, 5.3
3: 1.2, 1.5, 4.4

Bonneyville Mill Tours

Kindergarten
Social Studies - K1.1, K3.3, K3.5, K4.1, K4.2, K4.3
Science - K1.2, K2.2, K3.1, K3.2, K4.1, K5.1, K6.1
Mathematics - K4.1, K5.1
Language Arts - K2.2, K2.3, K2.4, K2.5, K3.1, K3.3, K7.1

First Grade
Social Studies - 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.3.3, 1.3.4, 1.3.5, 1.3.8, 1.4.1, 1.4.2, 1.4.3, 1.4.4, 1.4.5, 1.4.6
Science - 1.1.4, 1.2.6, 1.2.7, 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.3, 1.3.4, 1.3.5, 1.4.3, 1.4.4
Mathematics - 1.4.1, 1.4.2, 1.4.7, 1.5.5
Language Arts - 1.3.1, 1.7.1, 1.7.2, 1.7.7, 1.7.9

Second Grade
Social Studies - 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.2.4, 2.3.3, 2.3.4, 2.3.5, 2.4.1, 2.4.2, 2.4.3, 2.4.4, 2.4.6, 2.4.7, 2.5.4
Science - 2.3.3, 2.3.6, 2.4.3, 2.4.4, 2.4.5
Mathematics - 2.4.5, 2.5.5, 2.5.6, 2.5.7
Language Arts - 2.4.3, 2.5.1, 2.5.2, 2.5.3, 2.7.11

Third Grade
Social Studies - 3.1.2, 3.1.3, 3.1.4, 3.1.7, 3.3.3, 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 3.4.3, 3.4.4, 3.4.5, 3.4.7, 3.5.1, 3.5.
Science - 3.1.6, 3.1.7, 3.3.8, 3.6.1, 3.6.2
Mathematics - 3.2.6, 3.5.7
Language Arts - 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 3.5.1, 3.5.2, 3.5.3

Fourth Grade
Social Studies - 4.1.6, 4.1.9, 4.1.12, 4.1.14, 4.3.4, 4.3.5, 4.3.8, 4.4.1, 4.4.2, 4.4.3, 4.4.4, 4.4.8, 4.5.5
Science - 4.1.8, 4.3.12, 4.4.9, 4.6.1, 4.6.2
Language Arts - 4.4.6, 4.4.7, 4.5.1, 4.7.1, 4.7.2

Elkhart County Historical Museum

The Story of Elkhart County

State Standards (Social Studies): K.1.1, 1.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 3.1.3, 3.1.4, 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.6, 4.1.9, 4.1.12, 5.1.1, 5.1.3, 5.1.6, 5.3.4, 5.3.11, 6.1.14, 6.1.15, 8.1.1, 8.1.15, 8.1.24, USH.1.3

Regional Native Americans

State Standards (S.S.): 3.1.1, 3.1.6, 3.1.8, 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.5, 5.1.1, 5.1.2, 5.1.3, 5.1.6, 5.3.4, 5.3.11, 6.1.15, 7.1.20, 8.1.1, 8.1.15, 8.1.24, USH.1.2

Pioneer Life

State Standards (S.S.): K.1.1, 1.1.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 3.1.2, 3.1.4, 3.1.6, 4.1.2, 4.1.6, 6.1.15, 8.1.24, 8.1.26, USH.1.3, USH.2.2

Life During the Industrial Revolution

State Standards (S.S.): K.1.1, 1.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 3.1.3, 3.1.4, 3.1.6, 4.1.6, 4.1.9, 6.1.14, 6.1.15, 8.1.5, 8.1.27, USH.1.3

The 1840's Farmer

(Social Studies) K.1.1, 1.1.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 3.1.2, 3.1.4, 3.1.6, 4.1.2, 4.1.6

History Stations
Depends on activity stations chosen

Discovery Box Program

American Indian Experience in Elkhart County

State Standards: 4.1.1, 4.1.18, 4.1.2, 4.2.5, 4.3.11, 4.4.3, 4.4.7

Pioneer Life

State Standards: 1.1.1, 1.3.7, 1.7.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.4, 2.3.5, 3.1.2, 3.1.8

Comparative Ethnic Studies

State Standards: 3.1.4, 3.1.6, 3.3.4, 3.3.9

World War II in Elkhart County

State Standards: USH.5.6