 The
following classes are available to teachers, scout troops,
school and youth groups. Experienced environmental educators at
our beautiful nature center teach all programs. Each of the
following programs is taught at an age-appropriate level for
your specific group.
Most programs can be adapted to other
grade levels besides the suggested range. Many on-site programs can be adapted to
an outdoor school site or indoor classroom program.
Multiple class discounts may apply to
programs when more than one class from the same school
participates in the same program.
Programs are available
throughout the year, with the lessons focusing on the current
season.
Programs will not be cancelled due to
light snow or rain. Make sure students dress appropriately for
the weather and wear comfortable, close-toed shoes. Center staff
will contact you for class cancellations due to bad weather.
Call Rancocas Nature Center at 609-261-2495 and speak to a
staff person for further information.
For scouting specific programs click
here.
Habitat Hunt Students become habitat detectives and
explore the grounds using their senses to discover the important
components of a habitat. Students will communicate their
findings through a group presentation. NJ Standards: 1.2, 3.1,
3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 5.1, 5.5, 5.10, 6.9
Feed the Tree Discover the role each part of a tree
plays in photosynthesis and the role each tree plays in its
environment. Learn what kinds of trees grow in which
environments and why. NJ Standards: 4.2, 5.1, 5.3, 5.5, 5.6,
5.7, 5.8, 5.10
Birds of a Feather Students will
explore unique bird features, including feathers, wings, feet,
beaks, and nest building. We will take a walk to listen for
songs and look for birds in different habitats.
NS Standards: 3.2, 3.3, 3.4,
4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.3, .5.5, 5.7, 5.10.
Animal Senses Using our eyes, ears, nose, and touch,
we’ll explore some of the similarities and differences in how
animals discover the world around them. Meet live animals and
learn about how they use their senses. NJ Standards: 3.2, 5.5,
5.10
Traveling Seeds Become seed explorers and learn about
plant diversity. Search for seeds along the trails. Interactive
games create an understanding of how and why seeds travel. NJ
Standards: 3.2, 3.3, 4.2, 5.1, 5.5, 5.10
Digging into Decomposition Students get down and dirty
exploring the grounds for decomposition in nature. The function
of fungus and forest floor critters will be explained. NJ
Standards: 3.4, 3.5, 5.1, 5.5, 5.7, 5.10, 6.4
Amazing Adaptation Animal adaptations will be explored
using live animals as study subjects. Students will create their
own species adapted to a specific habitat. NJ Standards: 1.3,
3.4, 5.1, 5.5, 5.10
Beginning Birders Students will embark on a quest to
discover how birds have adapted to live within their habitats,
which will include an introduction to bird ID and the start of a
birding journal. NJ Standards: 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1,
5.5, 5.7, 5.10
Treecology Become a forester and collect diversity
data from a study site. Make comparisons between habitats. An
extra enrichment activity: discover how to save trees by making
recycled paper. NJ Standards: 1.5, 3.4, 3.5, 4.1, 4.4, 5.1, 5.5,
5.10, 6.9
Watershed Define a watershed and use
maps to put together a local watershed. Students will explore
surface water and discover the important role wetlands play. NJ
Standards: 3.5, 4.1, 4.4, 5.1, 5.8, 5.10, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9.
Terms of Endangerment A visit with an extinct species
will introduce students to the plight many others are facing
today. Outdoor investigations will focus on the importance of
habitat to protect species diversity and the problems with
pollution. NJ Standards: 4.1, 4.4, 5.1, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.7, 5.10
Birds and the Bees… Why are insects and other animals
needed for plants to survive? Using our demonstration garden,
learn what organisms come to visit our flowers. Which insects
are great for a vegetable garden, but not for a butterfly
garden? NJ Standards: 5.1, 5.3, 5.5, 5.10
Night sounds Sit silently and listen for the sound of
night. Heard together, the calls of various animals’ sound
spooky. We will give a name to all the night voices you hear,
then go and look for our new friends’ daytime hiding spots. NJ
Standards: 5.1, 5.2, 5.5, 5.7
Museum madness What makes Rancocas Nature Center
special? Take a hands-on tour of our museum exhibits and meet
our resident program animals. NJ Standards: 5.2, 5.2, 5.3, 5.5,
5.10
Butterfly Neighbors
Learn about some of the
resident cousins of the royal Monarchs and Ladies (Painted, that
is) Discover how butterflies survive in New Jersey. Determine
how to best benefit butterflies in the garden. NJ Standards:
3.1, 5.1, 5.3, 5.5, 5.10
Seasonal Nature Walks Nature walks are available
throughout the year, focusing on various seasonal topics. Please
call ahead to see what topics are in season.
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Supervision
Teachers,
leaders, or chaperones are expected to be present for the
duration of the group programs. These adults are responsible for
supervision and discipline at all times during your visit.
Respect Nature
We ask all
group leaders and chaperones to remind children to respect
nature on our preserve. Please do not litter, injure or destroy
plants or animals, or damage property. Please stay on the
trails.
Group Programs held at
your site:
Call Rancocas Nature Center at 609-261-2495
and speak to a staff person for further information.
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