Environmental Education
The Parks Department serves thousands of students throughout the county and is committed to quality environmental education that provides our children with the tools to better care for the earth.
In the classroom
Attention Formal Educators
Reptiles and Amphibians Oh My!
If you teach 1st or 2nd grade students in a school that is in LaPorte County, your classroom could have a visit from a park naturalist, along with reptiles and amphibians. During the visit the students will learn the basic differences between reptiles and amphibians, while getting up close and personal with each.
Pollinators Plus!
If you teach 2nd grade students in a school that is in LaPorte County, your classroom could have a visit from a park naturalist, and do fun pollination activities. During this visit students will learn the basics of pollination, play pollination games, and participate in a buggy 500 using wax worms.
Owls and More!
If you teach 3rd grade students in a school that is in LaPorte County, your classroom could have a visit from a park naturalist, and learn about owls. Students will look through owl pellets, learn about animal adaptations, discuss food chains /webs, and listen to owl calls.
Programs can be set up for individual classes with visits to each room lasting 45 minutes each. Program visits are free and will be offered
Oct. – Mar. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
Programs can take place anytime during the school day starting as early as 8 am. These programs meet the Life Science Standards---1st grade--1.LS.1/ 1.LS.2/1.LS.3 2nd grade--2.LS.1 / 2.LS.2 / 2.LS.3
Email- natureniki@csinet.net or call 219-324-5855 to schedule your classroom visit.
At one of the Parks 
Program Scheduling: Call the Luhr Park Nature Center at (219) 324-5855. Programs are available Monday through Thursday at Luhr County Park, Bluhm County Park, Red Mill County Park, or Creek Ridge County Park.
When you call to schedule your program tell us:
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Your name (contact person), address, and phone number.
The size of your group and grade level.
The program title you are interested in.
The park you would like to visit.
The date you would like to visit.
The time you want to arrive at the park; the time you would need to leave the park
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If you want Nature Center time and if you will be eating lunch at the park.
Schedule your program at one of these parks:
Luhr County Park
3178 S. 150 W.
LaPorte
Features: 2 acre pond fishing dock, playground, shelter, 3/4 mile paved trails, nature center, and more.
Creek Ridge County Park
7943 W. 400 N.
Michigan City
Features: Fishing access to Trail Creek, shelters, playgrounds, boardwalks, volleyball court, horseshoes, and more.
Bluhm County Park
3855 S. 1100 W.
Westville
Features: Mountain bike trails, playground, shelter, boardwalk, wetland, 1/2 acre fishing pond, over 1 mile of paved hiking trails, and more.
Red Mill County Park
0185 South Holmesville Road
LaPorte
Features: Fishing, hall rental, playgrounds, 108 acre Nature Preserve, hiking trails, 23 acre wetland, and more.
Spend an hour or day at one of your LaPorte County Parks! Call to schedule a program today!
Programs
The programs can last an hour or longer, depending on the size of the group and the age of the students. Programs for larger groups may require some teacher led activities while half the group is working with a Naturalist. Programs can be done on any topic. Below are some examples.
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Time Needed:1 hour
Sensory Sensations
Site: All County Parks
Discover nature through the use of all five of the senses. Participants will learn about nature through hands-on activities.
Bug Fun
Site: All County Parks
Hands on activities that teach students about spiders, flies, and other bugs.
Food Web Exploration
Site: All County Parks
An active look at who eats whom in the wild.
Gone Fishing
Site: Luhr County Park
Learn about fish and try to catch the big one. Fishing poles and bait will be provided for this program.
Tracking Animals
Site: All County Parks
Spend time in the field looking for animal tracks and signs.
Birds
Site: All County Parks
This is a fun program that explores bird adaptations.
Pond Study
Site: Luhr County Park and Red Mill County Park
What lives in the water? This program takes a close look at pond life.
Leaf Key
Site: All County Parks
Take a look at what makes leaves similar and different.
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Special Programs
Various program topics such as bird identification, maps and compass course can be arranged with advanced planning. Programs can be tailored to subjects that you are studying or that your scout troop needs to receive a patch. |
