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 and tools of conservation.
For
more information or to schedule a program, please contact
the Elkhart County Parks Administration Office
at (574) 535-6458
| Environmental Education Programs |
The
following programs are designed to take place in the classroom, except
Wild About Winter & Making Maple Syrup at Home, and will last from
45 minutes to 1 1/2 hour.
All programs are available through Friday, March 31, 2008.
Wild About Winter - Grades 1-8
Winter is a wonderful time in the park, and we would like to invite you and your students to come out and experience it for yourselves. Meet in the Ox Bow Haus Shelter for a brief discussion on Winter Wildlife. Then students venture outside to discover winter's magical world. On our hike students will discover how snow affects the wildlife in the park, follow animal tracks to learn of their actions, and see how the plants are already preparing for spring. Afterwards, we will return to the shelter to enjoy watching the birds at the feeders. This program is available to single classes only. There is a fee of $1.00 per person (for youths and adults) that must be paid one week in advance of the scheduled date.
The
Great Avian Adventure - Grades K-8
Birds abound in Indiana. From the smallest hummingbird to the largest
eagle, each has a unique and fascinating life. This program focuses on
our fine feathered friends. Through hands-on activities, educational games,
and real mounted specimens, we will explore some of these interesting
creatures. Programs vary with regards to specific topics and depth of
discussion. Suggested topics include the following: general birds, song
birds, raptors, and
nocturnal birds. If a specific topic is not requested, the theme will
be on general birds. This program is available to single classes only.
Amazing Mammals - Grades K-8
What do whales, bats, and bears all have in common? They are all mammals! In this program students will discover what makes mammals so amazing. With the use of mounted specimens, animal furs, and interactive activities students will get an up close and personal look at some of the local wildlife, and discover the roles these animals play in the environment. This program is available to single or two (2) combined classes.
Through Nature's Eyes - Grades 1-6
All animals possess special adaptations
that enable them to catch prey and avoid becoming prey themselves. This
program is designed to familiarize students with animal characteristics
and life styles during an average day in the wild. Students will become
animals themselves through an interactive slide presentation. Based on
the decisions they make, they will either survive or perish. The teacher
must choose: deer, fox, frog or squirrel.
This program is available to single or two (2) combined classes.
Reptiles & Amphibians - Grades 1-8
If slick, squirmy, and scaley are your digs, this is the perfect program for you. Learn about reptiles and amphibians through games, hands-on activities, and live specimens. Your class will learn differences between these two groups as well as some amazing facts. Your class will also enjoy meeting Eddy, the mystery guest. This program is available to single or two (2) combined classes.
Be a Bat's Best Buddy - Grades K-8
Yes we have all gone batty over bats! This program gives your class the opportunity to meet one of Indiana's most endangered mammals up close and personal. This program offers exciting visual aids and interactive games. This program is available to single or two (2) combined classes.
Animal
Tracks and Signs - Grades 1-6 
Although wild animals can be elusive, we often see signs that clue us into their presence. This program will introduce students to the tracks animals make and the signs they leave behind. Activities will include tracking mysteries, games, making track ID books, and more. This program is available to single classes only.
Making Maple Syrup at Home - Grades 1-6
This program teaches the
art of maple syrup production from a different perspective. There are
many places to see syrup production on a large scale but how many of us
can afford to purchase a commercial evaporator. Making maple syrup is
as simple as collecting maple sap and boiling it into syrup. This program
will show you how to do this with just one maple tree and a small spot
in the back yard. You may also learn about the yearly cycles of maple
trees, the history of maple syrup and the economics of the product. Be
sure to get ready for some hands-on experience with the maple tap setting
race. Best of all you'll get to taste some of the finished product.
This program is available to single or two (2) combined classes. This
program is offered between February 10th and March 28th at the Briar Patch
Shelter in Bonneyville Mill County Park. There is a fee of $1.00 per
person (for youths and adults) that must be paid one week in advance of
the scheduled date.
| Winter Environmental Programming - Indiana State Standards |
Wild About Winter (1-8)
1: 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4
2: 1.4, 3.1, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.7
3: 1.2, 1.4, 2.7, 3.5, 3.6, 4.1, 4.2, 4.6, 5.5
4: 4.4, 4.5, 4.6
5: 3.8, 4.4, 4.7, 4.9
6: 3.12, 4.9
7: 1.2, 1.4, 4.9, 7.1, 7.3
8: 2.3, 4.8, 7.7
Great Avian Adventure (K-8)
K: 1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 6.1
1: 1.2, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4
2: 1.1, 1.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 4.5, 5.6
3: 1.2, 1.4, 2.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.5, 4.6, 5.5
4: 4.3, 4.4
5: 4.4, 4.5, 4.7
6: 4.3, 4.4, 4.8, 4.9
7: 4.9
Amazing Mammals (K-8)
K: 1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 6.1
1: 1.2, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4
2: 1.1, 1.4, 3.1, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.7, 5.6
3: 1.2, 1.4, 2.7, 3.6, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3
4: 3.13, 4.3, 4.4
5: 4.4, 4.5, 4.7, 4.9
6: 4.3, 4.4, 4.8, 4.9
7: 4.8, 4.9
8: 4.8
Through Nature's Eyes (1-6)
1: 1.2, 4.3, 4.4
2: 1.4, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5
3: 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.7, 5.5
4: 4.3, 4.4, 4.6, 5.5
5: 4.4, 4.5, 5.7
6: 4.8, 4.9
Reptiles and Amphibians (1-8)
1: 1.2, 1.3, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 6.2
2: 1.1, 2.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 5.6
3: 1.2, 1.4, 2.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.6, 5.5
4: 4.3, 4.4, 5.5
5: 4.4, 4.5, 4.7
6: 3.16, 4.3, 4.4, 4.8, 4.9
7: 4.8, 4.9
8: 4.8
Animals Tracks and Signs (1-6)
1: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 3.1, 3.4, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4
2: 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5.6
3: 1.2, 1.4, 2.5, 2.7, 4.2, 4.6, 5.5
4: 4.3, 4.4, 5.5
5: 4.4, 4.7
6: 1.4, 1.5, 4.8
Be A Bat's Best Buddy (K-8)
K: 1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 6.1
1: 1.2, 1.3, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4
2: 1.1, 1.4, 3.1, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5.6
3: 1.2, 1.4, 2.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.6, 5.5
4: 4.3, 4.4, 5.5
5: 4.4, 4.5, 4.7
6: 3.16, 4.8, 4.9
7: 3.20
Making Maple Syrup At Home (1-6)
1: 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 3.1, 3.3, 4.2, 4.4, 6.2
2: 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.5, 3.6, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4, 5.6
3: 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 2.5, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 5.5, 6.3
4: 1.8, 4.5
5: 3.4, 3.8, 4.4, 5.7, 6.1
6: 1.1, 1.2.1.3, 1.7, 2.9, 3.20, 4.8, 5.6
Program Fees: There are no fees for off-site programs but donations to the Elkhart County Parks' Environmental Education Fund are welcome. All groups scheduling winter environmental 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..
Class Preparations: If scheduling a program in the park, we recommend that you prepare your class before arriving. 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 the 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.
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.