Educational Programs 2011-2012
Our programs are aligned with the Michigan Science Grade Level Content Expectations to provide your students with hands-on, outdoor experiences. Calvin College students and volunteers share their knowledge and enjoyment of nature with your students during these programs.
Themes (Pre K- 5th grade)
- Amazing Animals of West Michigan (Fall & Spring)
- Caring for the Earth
- Creation Care 101 - Becoming Stewards of God's Creation (Christian Schools)
- Critters in the Cold (Winter only)
- Great Lakes Ecosystem Explorations (Fall & Spring)
- Macro- Invertebrate Investigation (Spring only)
- Michigan's Terrific Trees (Fall only)
- Natural Journaling & Sketching
- Sensory Adventures - Exploring Nature Using Our Senses (Fall & Spring)
- Wildflowers in the Spring (Spring only)
- Winter Ecology (Winter only)
We also can lead general natural history walks through the preserve discussing more about the plants and animals that live here and the research projects conducted at the preserve. For more information about these programs email us.
Schedule a visit today
School programs are scheduled Monday through Friday during the following time slots: 9:00 to 10:30 am, 10:45 am to 12:15 pm, & 12:45 to 2:15 pm.
- Fall Season late September to mid November.
- Registration for Fall Season opens September 12, 2011.
- Winter Season February 2012
- Registration for Winter Season opens January 3, 2012
- Spring Season mid April to mid May
- Registration opens for Spring Season March 1, 2012
Fees and Payment Information Program fee is $2 per a student. For every 10 students, one adult is admitted free of charge. Additional adult chaperones and siblings are $2 per an individual. Fees are due on the day of your programs. Cash or checks only.
Elementary Teachers -To schedule a program for elementary classes please call Pat Buist in the Biology Department at 616-526-7700 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Middle School or Homeschool Groups- To schedule a program for homeschool and middle school students please call Jeanette Henderson, CCEP Program Manager at 616-526-7601 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
When you call please have the following information available:
- School /organization name
- Desired program theme
- Preferred dates and times & alternates
- Contact person
- Phone number and email
- Address
- Grade and number of students and adults
- Any special needs
Reservations are taken on a first come-first serve basis. Confirmations will be mailed/emailed before your visit. Please distribute the information to all participating teachers and inform us of any changes.
Helpful Information Group size is limited to around 50 students per a program. If you have more students please plan on scheduling additional programs in other time slots. We also ask that for every 10 students you provide 1 adult chaperone. For Pre- K and K groups, 8 to 10 students will be with a program leader depending on the availability of leaders for your time slot. For all other grade levels, groups of 10 to 12 students will be with a program leader.
Comments from teachers and parents
“The tree activity was great! The program was fantastic. I liked how much the leader taught the children. Her enthusiasm for the material taught was great for the students. They enjoyed learning from her!"
"Nice variety of things to do-acting out a tree growing, touching decomposing tree, smelling tree blossoms…fun & varied, interactive."
“Perfect length…This is my second year w/New Branches. The tour today was very well executed and engaging for the kids."
"The leader was good at keeping the kid's attentions and was very enthusiastic too!... Pyramid of Life presentation was great for the kids!"
