Elementary and Middle School Programs

Welcome Educators!

The Champaign County Forest Preserves provides exciting hands-on learning experiences for your students. Within our preserves or in your classroom, your students can learn about local history and the plants and animals native to Champaign County. Our staff members are eager to serve you and your curriculum!

Review our program offerings below and email or call today. Before contacting us please be prepared with the following information:

  • Your desired dates and additonal dates if that one is not available
  • Your grade level
  • Number of students
  • Accomodations needed for students/teachers
  • If you will be staying on site for lunch
  • Check bus/school schedules to avoid holidays and school activities

Cross-Curricular Programs

For a well-rounded education experience, schedule two programs for your class in one day. Up to two classrooms (60 students) can be accommodated. Or, you can schedule a historical program and visit the one-room schoolhouse on the same day! For example, in the morning, one class could attend a Plant Science program while the other attends a Historical Education program. Both classes eat lunch, and then switch programs in the afternoon.

Participants must bring their own sack lunches. Fees are per student per program. For example, the fee for two programs for a Champaign County school is a total of $3 per student. Time slots are limited, so please call early.

In-Classroom Programs

If your class cannot come to us for a field trip, consider an in-class program. Our educators can tailor a visit to meet your classroom needs. Presentation length varies from thirty minutes to one hour per classroom. Call or email to discuss any idea you have for your class. This experience could be scheduled for one class or multiple classes. 

Contact

Cultural & Plant Science
Selena Gonzalez
[email protected]
(217) 586-2612

Environmental
Patrick Ahasic
[email protected]
(217) 896-2455

Environmental Programs
Aquatic Ecologist

Students will discuss how watersheds are related to water quality. Then they will test water quality using simple kits and compare results with the aquatic organisms they collect. Pre-trip review of vocabulary is essential for this program.

Mid-April - Mid-October
Grades: 3-8
Program Length: 1.5 hours

Birds

Students will learn basic bird identification and explore their amazing adaptations. The program includes a tutorial on using various tools used in bird identification and culminates in a hike around the preserve as we look for birds. 

Year-Round
Grades: K-8
Program Length: 1.5 hours

Trees of Illinois

Students will broaden their knowledge about trees as they explore the forest preserve and learn to identify trees through bark, leaves, and other distinguishing characteristics. 

May-November
Grades: K-8
Program Length: 1.5 hours

Amphibians

Learn all about the frogs and toads of central Illinois. Through interactive lessons and outdoor exploration, students will delve into the fascinating world of these amphibians, learning about their unique adaptations, life cycles, and habitats. 

Mid-April - Mid-October
Grades: K-4
Program Length: 1.5 hours

Hatchet

This program is designed to complement Hatchet, a story of a young boy's adventure in the wilderness by Gary Paulsen. Students will interpret the book through hands-on activities, including basic survival skills. Program is available only at Homer Lake Forest Preserve.

Year-Round
Grades: 4-6
Program Length: 2 hours

Illinois Mammals

What makes an animal a mammal? Students will discover the answer through hands-on activities and a hike to search for clues left behind by area mammals. 

Year-Round
Grades: K-8
Program Length: 1.5 hours

Insects

Discover what makes insects unique and where to find them. Students will explore insects with hands-on activities and search for these six-legged creatures in different areas around the preserve. 

April - November
Grades: K-5
Program Length: 1.5 hours

The Nature of Winter

Take a break from being indoors and gain a new appreciation for this surprisingly active time of year. Students will explore physical and behavioral adaptations that allow local flora and fauna to survive winter, and then hike to observe these firsthand.

December - March
Grades: K-5
Program Length: 1-1.5 hours

Prairie Patterns

Students will explore the plants, animals and history of the Illinois prairie as we explore our natural areas during this program. We'll turn a students into a prairie animal and learn about the importance of prairie plants. 

May-November 
Grades: K-8
Program Length: 1.5 hours

Reptiles

Learn more about the anatomy and adaptations of these ancient creatures. Students will engage in hands-on exploration and meet our resident reptiles. 

Year-Round
Grades: K-8
Program Length: 1.5 hours

Sights and Sounds of Nature

Students will uncover the beauty and wonders of nature as they hike and explore the forest preserve. Students will engage in hands-on discovery using their senses during this program. 

Year-Round
Grades: K-8
Program Length: 1.5 hours

Historical Programs
Early People of Illinois

Learn about the Indigenous Nations and French Explorers who inhabitated and utlized each other and the resources around them in East Central Illinois from 1673 to 1763. Students will go on an interactive experience to gain a deeper understanding of these communities and their connection to East Central Illinois. 

Grades 2-8

Program Length: 1.5 hours

Life on the Grand Prairie

Travel back in time to discover what life was like in the 1800s. Students, through looking at the past, will understand who was here in East-Central Illinois and the hard work that went into their everyday routines. 

Grades 2-5

Program Length: 1.5 hours

The One Room Schoolhouse Experience

Step back to 1890 and see the similarities and differences of school from then and now. Explore daily life from this time period through hands-on lessons and games. This program is available from September to October and April to May. 

Grades: 1-5

Program Length: 1-1.5 hours 

Immigration in Champaign County

Learn about th stories of immigrants that came to Champaign County throughout the centuries. Students will understand why people settled in certain areas, their struggles, and who they developed into as a settling immigrant. 

Grades: 3-8

Program Length: 1.5 hour

The Industrial Revolution in Illinois

The Industrial Revolution affected the United States as a whole, but what did it look like for Champaign County? This program allows students to make connections from global to local history through hands-on program activities that will leave them with a deeper understanding of the Industrial Revolution. 

Grades 4-8

Program Length: 1.5 hours

The Civil War Through Illinois Eyes

What did the Civil War look like beyond battles? For residents of Illinois, slavery was an intensely debated topic during the war. Students will learn about narratives of resistance through the Underground Railroad in Illinois. 

Grades: 5-8

Program Length: 1.5 hours

Plant Science

Seed Safari

Students will enjoy a day exploring the plant life cycle from seeds to greens. This hands-on experience will include seed sowing and seed identification, and a garden hike. 

Year-Round

Grades: K-2

Program Length: 1.5 hours

Soil and Plant Connections

Students will learn about our connection to the Earth through the plants in its soil and the life underfoot. We will discuss plant adaptations and the importance of decomposers, bacteria, and fungi.

Year-Round

Grades: 3-5

Program Length: 1.5 hours