Teacher's Handbook in PDF available for download.

Nixon County Park is the only one of the eight county parks that is set aside exclusively for environmental education.  The Park offers an outstanding environmental education experience for area school students, teachers and administrators.

REGISTRATION
A wide variety of programs are available for school students as well as civic organizations.  If  you are interested in scheduling a field trip or visiting with a group of ten or more on your own, call the Nature Center at (717) 428-0356 and ask to speak with a naturalist. 

Your field trip is free.  As a York County Park, we are proud to offer area residents a quality educational experience and an entertaining day free of charge.  Donations are always appreciated.

WHAT IS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR GRADE LEVEL?
Pre-school: Fox Story Time  (Approximately 1.5 hours) The story time includes a delightful nature story and time to freely explore the center.

Kindergarten
We will take a 45 minute nature walk.  The walk will be followed by a brief introduction to the Center and approximately 20 minutes to freely explore the exhibits inside.

First grade through high school  (Activity time is approximately 1.5 hours) A variety of outdoor and indoor programs as follows are available for these ages: 

Outdoor Programs:
General Nature walk (all ages) - An excellent walk during all seasons.  Upon request, the naturalist can concentrate on habitats, predator/prey relationships, wildlife or seasons.

Five Senses Walk (K-2nd grade) - This walk is designed to teach children how animals use their senses and how people can use their senses to improve observation skills.

Geology Walk (3rd grade and up) - A one mile walk (very steep hill) to discuss the geology of the area.

Botany Walk (3rd grade and up) - A walk to discuss the role of plants in the life cycle.

Aquatic Study (3rd grade and up) - A program that allows students to explore the stream and pond.

Landscaping for Wildlife (3rd grade and up) - This program concentrates on how students can create habitats in their backyard or school grounds to provide the seasonal needs of native
wildlife.

Succession Walk (6th grade and up) - A half mile walk (with hills) to discuss succession in nature.

Tree Walk (6th grade and up) - A one mile walk (with hills) to focus on identification of trees.

Indoor Programs:
Northwest Territory (all ages) - Examines habitats and the physical adaptations for sight, sound and smell that help animals survive.

African Safari (all ages) - Journey across the Atlantic to the dust, heat and drama of Africa.  From the mighty bull elephant to the elegant impala, we will learn about predator prey relationships, camouflage, the art of speed, teamwork and more.

Arctic Adventure (all ages) - challenges groups to compare their survival skills with those creatures inhabiting this cold, dry, diverse region of the world.

Insects in Your World (3rd - 5th grade) - Explains the habitats and life cycles of insects, our most abundant wildlife.

Birds of Prey (3rd - 6th grade) - Covers the natural history of raptors as well as their physical adaptations and role in nature.

Reptiles (3rd grade and up) - Features reptile natural history, behavior and the importance of these animals.

Going Batty! (3rd grade and up) - Promotes bat conservation by dispelling the myths about bats and promoting the fascinating facts about these creatures.

Soil, We Can’t Live Without It (3rd grade and up) - Discusses the formation of rocks, the differences between rocks and minerals, fossils, geologic time and soil formation.

Birds at Your Feeder (3rd grade and up) - A winter program for small groups (20 or less) to learn bird identification tips, how to use a field guide, bird physiology and how to create your own feeding stations at home or school.

Scavenger Hunt (1st grade and up) - The purpose of the hunt is to encourage students to take time to read and/or look closely at the displays in the center.