Field Trips

  Please note:  All In-School Programs can also be done at the Nature Center.

Our programs address Connecticut Science Standards!

Click on "Science Standards"  under each program description for details

Connecticut Wildlife Series (3 hours)

An in depth hour lesson each on Connecticut mammals, birds and reptiles and amphibians.  This program can be done at the Nature Center in one day or at your school over  3 different days. 

Grade:  2nd-6th

Fee:   $300 per instructor at Nature Center,

          $350 per day (including travel) at your school (3 units x $350 = $1,050)

Max. Classes:  3               (more information)         science standards

Wildlife along the Trails (1.5 hours)

Using their powers of observation and listening skills, students will learn how to ‘read’ the forest.  Signs of animal activities are everywhere and students will learn how to find and interpret them.  Exploring as they go, students will discover what and where animals call home.

Grade:  Pre-K – 3rd

Fee:   $5.00/student

Max. Classes:  3               (more information)          science standards

Sensory Walk (1.5 hours)

Using their senses, students will explore the forest in a unique way.  The forest is more than sight and sounds, and students will explore the texture, taste and scents that combine to make up a unique and interesting exploration of the world around us.

Grade:  Pre-K – 3rd       

Fee:  $5.00/student

Max. Classes:  3            (more information)          science standards

Life in the Water (1.5 hours)

With nets in hand, students will explore and collect specimens from the Center’s pond and stream.  They will discover the many and amazing adaptations that define the aquatic habitat; from plankton, turtles and snakes to the variety of plants that are specially adapted to life in and near the water.

Grade:  Pre-K – 3rd          

Fee:  $5.00/student

Max. Classes:  3            (more information)          science standards

Our Earth (1.5 hours)

Discover the world underfoot by sifting through soil and digging in the dirt.  Learn what is in the earth, how it is formed and who lives there.

Grade:  Pre-K – 3rd         

Fee:  $5.00/student

Max. Classes:  3            (more information)          science standards

Interesting Insects (1.5 hours)

Using nets and hands, students will collect live insects from the field, forest, stream and pond.  With specimens in hand, they will learn how to identify the insects and the orders in which they belong.  Students will learn about the various adaptations, habitats and lifestyles in the insect world.

Grade:  1st - 5th                

Fee:  $5.00/student

Max. Classes:   3            (more information)          science standards

Wetlands Ecology (1.5 hours)

In this exploration of the Center’s wetlands, students will learn about, find and collect some of the various plants and animals that call the wetlands their home.  They will also learn how these organisms have become uniquely adapted to conditions that range from total submergence to occasional flooding.  Along the way, students will learn what wetlands are, why they are important and how to identify them.

Grade:  2nd - 5th

Fee:  $5.00/student

Max. Classes:  3            (more information)          science standards

World of Birds (2 hours)

In this two-part discovery, students will examine and observe the Center’s collection of mounted bird specimens.  With hands-on exploration students will learn about the various adaptations that let birds fly, eat and live practically everywhere on the planet.  The 1 hour lecture is reinforced with a 1 hour bird walk on the Center’s trails where students can apply lessons to real-world field situations.

Grade:  2nd - 5th       

Fee:  $6.00/student

Max. Classes:  2            (more information)          science standards

 The World of Owls (1.5 hours)

Students will observe and examine the Center’s collection of mounted owls, with a close up, hands-on examination of some of the physical adaptations that make owls uniquely adapted to their nocturnal world.  The .75 hour lecture will be followed by a .75 hour laboratory dissection of owl pellets and identification of food resources.

Grade:  2nd -  5th           

Fee:  $5.00/student

Max. Classes:  2            (more information)          science standards

Birds of Prey (1.5 hours)

In this program, students will learn about the many kinds of raptors that call Connecticut home. Students will have the opportunity to see close-up the Center’s Birds of Prey. With a variety of specimens and study material, students will examine and understand the specialized adaptations that have placed raptors at the top of the food chain. 

Grade:  2nd - 5th           

Fee:  $5.00/student

Max. Classes:  1            (more information)          science standards

 Presentations Brought to Your Classroom

Exploring the Animal Kingdom (1 hour)

Learn what characteristics make an animal a mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian and selected invertebrates unique.  A variety of live and mounted animals makes this program one of our most popular as students see and touch their way through the animal kingdom.

Grades: Pre-K - 3rd

Fee: $3.50/student

Transportation: $60 per hour of travel             (more information)          science standards

Hibernation & Migration ( 1 hour)

How animals survive the Winter is the focus of this program.  Find out why some animals hibernate, while others migrate and others go on with life as usual.  Mounted and live animals will help students learn the secrets of Winter survival.

Grades: K -- 3rd

Fee: $3.50/student

Transportation: $60 per hour of travel               (more information)          science standards

Animal Tracking (1 hour)

Winter is the best time for tracking and is one of the best ways to discover the secret lives of animals.  Students will learn where to look for footprints, how different animals walk and how to match an animal track to its owner.  Students will use the knowledge they learn to identify an animal track reproduction and make a plaster cast of their track to take home. 

Grades:  2nd - 5th     

Fee:  $3.50/student

Transportation: $60 per hour of travel            (more information)          science standards

Web of Life – Terrestrial (1 hour)

Learn about the interactions of the forest ecosystem.  Students will learn about producers, consumers and decomposers through the use of mounted and live animals.  A hands-on food web activity will “wrap-up” the program.

Grades:  3rd - 5th                            

Fee: $3.50/student

Transportation: $60 per hour of travel           (more information)          science standards

Web of Life – Aquatic (1 hour)

Learn about the interactions of the pond ecosystem.  Live and mounted animals will help students learn about producers, consumers and decomposers.  A hands-on food web activity will “wrap up” the program.

Grades:  3rd - 5th

Fee: $3.50/student

Transportation: $60 per hour of travel           (more information)          science standards

Skulls & Skeletons (1 hour)

Explore the structures that enable animals to move.  Look at bones, exoskeletons and skulls of a variety of animals to match their shape with function.  A few live animals will help demonstrate different modes of locomotion. 

Grades:  1st - 5th

Fee:  $3.50/student

Transportation: $60 per hour of travel           (more information)          science standards

Reptiles (1 hour)

Students will take an in depth look at these fascinating creatures by observing live animals and study materials.  Learn about the reptile way of life with a focus on Connecticut’s turtles and snakes. 

Grades:  1st – 5th

Fee:  $3.50/student

Transportation: $60 per hour of travel           (more information)          science standards

Amphibians (1 hour)

Enter into the world of tadpoles, frogs, toads and salamanders.  Students will visit with live animals as they learn how amphibians develop and their unique characteristics.  The focus will be on Connecticut species.

Grades:  1st – 5th

Fee:  $3.50/student

Transportation: $60 per hour of travel            (more information)          science standards

Reptiles & Amphibians (1 hour)

This program combination is a condensed version of the individual programs.  It uses the same animals but is designed to be an introduction for younger students or as a general overview for older students. 

Grades:  K – 5th

Fee:  $3.50/student

Transportation: $60 per hour of travel            (more information)          science standards

Fabulous Frogs (45 minutes)

Young students will discover the diversity of frogs and toads in Connecticut by viewing slides and meeting and touching live animals. Students will enjoy learning about the fascinating lives of these amphibians. 

Grades:  Pre-K – 1st

Fee: $3.25/student

Transportation: $60 per hour of travel            (more information)          science standards

Terrific Turtles (45 minutes)

Young students will enjoy visiting with a variety of CT’s turtles as they discover their habits and habitats.  Students will have a chance to try on a real turtle shell and meet and touch live turtles.  A turtle race will round out the program.

Grades:  Pre-K – 1st

Fee:  $3.25/student

Transportation: $60 per hour of travel           (more information)          science standards

Birds of Prey (1 hour)

Learn about the many kinds of raptors that call Connecticut home.  Mounted specimens will help students understand the  lifestyles and adaptations that place raptors at the top of the food chain during this exciting, hands-on program.

Grades:  2nd - 5th  

Fee:  $3.50/student

Transportation: $60 per hour of travel          (more information)          science standards

Beautiful Birds (1 hour)

Discover the wonder of beaks, feathers, feet, flight and feeding.  Mounted specimens and hands-on experiments will help students learn how different lifestyles affect how birds are shaped. 

Grades:  1st – 3rd

Fee:  $3.50/student

Transportation: $60 per hour of travel            (more information)          science standards

Owls of Connecticut (1 hour)

Mounted specimens will give students a chance to see Connecticut’s owls up close.  Owl feathers, bones, and pellets will be examined during this hands-on program.  Owl calls will also be played so students can learn to identify theses nocturnal creatures by the uniqueness of their voice.

Grades:  2nd – 5th

Fee:  $3.50/student

Transportation: $60 per hour of travel            (more information)          science standards

Minimum Fees & Class Size

All programs have a minimum fee of $70/hour of instructional time per one of our instructors.  If the per student program fee drops below the minimum program fee at any time, the minimum program fee will be applied.  Programs scheduled during our prime season (Sept. 15th - Dec. 1st and April 1st to the end of school) that start before 11:00a.m. and do not end by 11:30a.m. will have a daily minimum per instructor fee of $280 for Field Trips and $300 for Out to School programs.  Out to-School presentations also have a travel fee of $60 per hour of round trip travel.  The maximum class size is 25 students per presentation due to the hands-on emphasis of all of our programs.  

How To Schedule

To make reservations for a program, please call (860) 589-8200 Monday through Friday between 8:30 - 4:30.  All programs require advanced scheduling of at least two weeks.   We recommend scheduling Spring tours before the end of February.  Many groups schedule up to a year in advance.  A written confirmation will be sent verify your date, time and fee.  Once you have received your confirmation please mail in your $20 deposit per class.  For In-School Presentations, we request that you send us written directions to your school from the nearest state highway at the time you schedule your program.

Groups may schedule an outdoor picnic lunch at the Center before or after their program.   Groups must bring their own blankets as they will be eating on the grass.

The Nature Center has a gift shop that can be opened during lunch or after your program.  Items range in price from $.25 to $10.  Please request extra time for the gift shop when scheduling your program.