School and Teacher Programs 2016-2017
100% Naturally Inspired
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2016!
Rowe Woods
4949 Tealtown Road
Milford, OH 45150
(513) 831-1711
www.CincyNature.org
TEACHER PROGRAMS
In an effort to deepen relationships with area teachers,
Cincinnati Nature Center offers a variety of teacher programs.
Please visit www.CincyNature.org and click
on the “Education” tab and then on “For Teachers” or contact
Melissa Sabo for specific dates, times and topics
at (513) 831-1711, ext. 138.
Teacher’s Night Out
Free events for teachers are offered quarterly to provide
positive social, personal, and educational experiences in
nature. Some events will include families, while others are
adults only. Dates and times will vary based on topic.
Teacher Trainings
Cincinnati Nature Center offers a three day Summer Teacher
Retreat annually in June. Check the website for details on
topic and dates, or sign up for our teacher newsletter to be
the first to hear about new programs. Customized naturebased trainings are also available on our site or yours for $75/
hour. We offer scheduled trainings throughout the year, as
well as shortened sessions for school or district in-services.
Teacher Memberships
All teachers who bring their students on a field trip to
Cincinnati Nature Center will be offered a free individual
membership (or a credit towards a higher membership level).
Memberships will also be offered to teachers who participate
in the Summer Teacher Retreat.
Facility Rentals
Looking for a location for your next teacher in-service
day? Starting Fall 2016, schools will receive 50% off
our published rental fees for school-related meetings or
professional development. Guided hikes by our school
program naturalists or sessions led by us can also be
included. See our website for more information.
(This offer excludes Krippendorf Lodge.)
HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS
If you are interested in bringing your family or home school group to Cincinnati Nature Center for an outdoor
experience, please contact Public Programs Manager Jason Neumann at [email protected] for a list of
upcoming home school events. Home school groups are not eligible for a discounted teacher membership.
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LEARNING EXPEDITIONS AT ROWE WOODS
Monday-Friday, 10 am–2 pm including a
30-minute lunch break
Grades: K–6
September through November and February
through May (rain or shine)
Group minimum: 20 students per day*
Group maximum: 65 students per day
$6 per student; adult chaperones free
Enhance your curriculum by visiting Rowe Woods with your
class for one of our experiential lessons. Classes are divided
into groups of 8-10 students with a trained Cincinnati
Nature Center naturalists and school chaperone for hands-on
experiences in nature. All lessons integrate Ohio academic
standards and Next Generation Science Standards. Lesson plan
options include:
Nature’s Sweet Treat: Maple Syrup
Grades K-5
Available January 30-March 3, 2017
Students experience the maple syrup-making process by collecting
sap in the maple grove. Students observe the evaporation process,
taste sap and syrup, hear maple syrup history and folklore and
discuss photosynthesis. Join us for the half-day maple syrup
program (10 am-12 pm) or add a nature hike for a full day of
programming (10 am-2 pm).
Local Plants and Animals
Grades 1-5
Available September-November & March-May
Students observe examples of local plants and animals in various
life stages. They explore the pond, field and forest and learn about
the physical and behavioral adaptations of plants and animals in
each.
What’s for Lunch?
Grades 1-5
Available September-November & March-May
Students search for living examples of producers, consumers and
decomposers in a variety of habitats while discussing food chains,
population dynamics, adaptation and change. Skulls, teeth, living
herbivores, carnivores and omnivores are examined. Students learn
about nature’s nutrient recycling and investigate the forest for
evidence of decomposition. Changing factors in an ecosystem are
considered, including invasive species, overpopulation and disease.
Nature Sparks
Grades 1-4
Available September, October, April, May
We will kindle curiosity and confidence as students explore
nature using all their senses. Experiencing and observing different
habitats, as well as building forts, creates an ideal experience for
students who have had limited experiences in nature. This lesson
plan comes with an optional free play experience in the Nature
PlayScape.
Under Our Feet
Grades 3-6
Available September-November & March-May
Students explore soil components and properties, learn how soil
supports life, observe how erosion and deposition affect land
forms, and discover clues about the geologic past in fossils and
rock layers.
Inquiry in the Forest
Grades 4-6
Available September, October, April, May
Students venture into the forest to explore their curiosities,
develop a comparative question with their team, then design
and implement an investigation to answer their question.
In small groups, students report their results, methods, and
future modifications. It is highly recommended to bring two
adult chaperones per group of 8 students due to the highly
individualized nature of this lesson.
Winter Options
Grades 1-6
$5 per student; adult chaperones free
December and January only 10 am - 1 pm including
a 30-minute lunch break.
If you are interested in bringing your students for one
of our new winter programs beginning December 2016, contact
Melissa Sabo at (513) 831-1711, ext. 139 or
[email protected].
*Groups with fewer than 20 students should contact
Melissa Sabo for other options.
View available dates on the Schools and Teachers page at www.CincyNature.org
Click here to register your class.
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KINDERGARTEN PLAY-BASED LEARNING PROGRAM
Monday-Friday, 9:45 am–12:45 pm including a
30-minute lunch break
September, October, April, May
(fair weather only)
Grade: Kindergarten
$4 per student; parents and teachers are
free and will be trained to lead activities
Group minimum: 20 students per day
Group maximum: 50 students per day
Parents must arrive 30 minutes before students for training.
Role models like parents, grandparents, and teachers have the ability to engage young children in nature long term,
instilling a love for learning in the outdoors. During this special program for Kindergarten students, Nature Center
staff will teach family volunteers to run simple stations in the Nature PlayScape on sun, shadows, wind, birds, plants,
insects, temperature and more using simple tools and activities. Enthusiastic parents can help children feel comfortable
in nature and enjoy real-life experience on topics covered in their classrooms. Following the station-based session,
children continue exploring and playing in the PlayScape with parent and teacher chaperones.
View available dates on the Schools and Teachers page at www.CincyNature.org
Click here to register your class.
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NATURAL CONNECTIONS SCHOOLYARD PROGRAMS
Monday-Friday
Grades: 1–6
September, October, April, May
(fair weather only)
$75/hour for Schoolyard Programs
$40/hour for Nature Brought to You
Cincinnati Nature Center offers a variety of pre-trip and
post-trip schoolyard activities to enhance and extend
your field trip, and build connections between your
schoolyard and field trip. These options are also available
as stand-alone programs for schools unable to take a field
trip. Parent volunteers participate in a short training,
then lead the experience with support from Nature
Center staff. A brief meeting between Nature Center
staff and at least one teacher is required prior to your
program date to view your schoolyard and discuss details.
A schoolyard experience for 30-60 students includes:
• Up to two (1) hour sessions per day*
• 1 hour parent training
• Parent-led schoolyard activities
• Nature Center staff on site for support
• 1 post-field trip Google Hangouts or Skype session
with a Nature Center naturalist
• Possible specialization during Nature Center field trip
* Programs for younger students may be more suitable for shorter lengths
of time.
Contact Melissa Sabo to discuss which lesson options fit
your school yard.
Nature Brought to You
Grades K-2nd grade
Available September-May
Can’t make it to the Nature Center? We’ll come to you for an
authentic learning experience focused on literacy, art and music.
Contact Melissa Sabo for more information.
Bring your students to Rowe Woods for a fieldtrip and receive 20% off
a Schoolyard Program and Nature Brought to You.
To register or to discuss lesson options:
Contact Melissa Sabo, at (513) 831-1711, ext. 138 or [email protected].
Specialized options available with advanced notice.
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SCHEDULE A SCHOOL PROGRAM
WITH CINCINNATI NATURE CENTER
1.
Visit the education page at www.CincyNature.org/Education and click “School Programs” to view available
dates for the program of your choice. You can also contact Melissa Sabo if you have additional questions before
scheduling. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, so early applications are more likely to
receive preferred dates.
2.
Complete the application that corresponds to the program of your choosing. Click the program name
to be directed to the registration page: Learning Expedition; Kindergarten, or Natural Connections.
3.
After your application is processed, you’ll receive email confirmation with details for your program.
Pricing and Payment Information
Fees are due on the day of your program. If your school
requires billing, please include a purchase order.
Are scholarships available?
Learning Expeditions at Rowe Woods
Schools with more than 60% of their students in the
Federal Free Lunch Program qualify for scholarships. Funds
are dispersed on a first-come, first-served basis. For more
information, call Melissa Sabo at (513) 831-1711, ext. 138.
$6 per student; adult chaperones free
How does lunch work during our visit?
Natural Connections Schoolyard Programs
We encourage you and your students to pack lunches in
reusable containers and lunch boxes that will travel to and
from the Nature Center with you. All garbage that you bring
in for your visit will need to go back to school with you, so
please bring garbage bags.
$75/hour for up to 60 students (Can be combined with
cost of field trip to generate a cost per child)
If a parent is a CNC member, do they still need to
pay for their child to attend a field trip?
Kindergarten Play-Based Learning Program
$4 per student; parents and teachers are free and will be
trained to lead activities
Nature Brought to You
$40 per program, limit of 30 students per session, up to
3 sessions per day
Receive 20% off a Schoolyard Program or Nature
Brought to You when you bring your students to Rowe
Woods for a field trip.
Cancellation Policy
A cancellation fee of $25 per scheduled date will be charged
for schools canceling less than 45 days before their program.
This does not apply to cancellations due to school closings,
poor weather, or dangerous road conditions.
Since our field trips provide special benefits that students
would not have the opportunity to experience without Nature
Center naturalists, Nature Center members and non-members
pay the same program fee.
Is there a fee for adult chaperones?
No. Adult chaperones and teachers are free of charge because
they are essential to our program. All adults will participate
in a brief orientation at the beginning of the day and are
encouraged to be active participants in the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
May I bring more students?
A low student/teacher ratio is crucial to accomplish
educational objectives. Group limits take into account the
number of educators available, the number of trails and
learning stations and the size of classroom spaces. In order
for your students to have the highest quality educational
experience possible, we ask that you adhere to the stated class
size limitations.
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