​​​​​​​​​​School Programs

 

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child touching snake 
group of children 
child observing 

Okeeheelee Nature Center offers school programs for preschool through 5th grade. Each program includes live animals, is hands-on, and is correlated to grade-level curriculum and standards. Activities promote environmental awareness, conservation, recreation, and educate on health and wellness in the community​. Programs are offered Tuesday - Friday at 10:00 am. If you want something different (topic, age group, time), please let us know when making your reservation, and we will do our best to meet your needs. For more information, please call the nature center at 561-233-1400. We look forward to working with your group! 

​​KINDERGARTEN/FIRST GRADE- On the Wing: Exploring Animals that Fly
1 hour; Fee: $2.00 per student
Come explore a few of our flying friends - birds and butterflies! Students will learn about the butterfly life cycle, and talk a walk through a butterfly garden. Students will also meet a feathered-friend to learn about the lives of birds (nests, eggs, feathers), and observe some wild birds that live in our nature preserve. 

SECOND GRADE/THIRD GRADE- Animal Homes and Habitats
1.5 hours; Fee: $2.00 per student
What makes a good animal home? Students find out as they explore pine flatwood forest and wetland habitats and discuss what most animals need to survive (food, water, shelter and space). Students will search for animal homes (nests, tree cavities, webs, burrows), and then will meet some of our resident animals that could live in those places.

​FOURTH GRADE/FIFTH GRADE - Raptor Chapter
2 hours; Fee: $3.00 per student
Raptors, also known as birds of prey, are a unique family of birds! Find out what all raptors have in common and learn about their adaptations, behavior, ecological importance, and natural history while walking through the nature preserve. Then students will dissect an owl pellet to find out what the owl ate and how they fit into the food web. Students will then meet a variety of our resident raptors, and learn how they can help wild raptors.

RESERVATIONS
To book a program, complete aReservation Request Form​ and email to onc@pbc.gov. Once we receive your request, you will be contacted and scheduled. Please allow up to three business days for staff to contact you regarding your request. We will then confirm your program in writing with a confirmation/invoice letter. Payment is due upon arrival to the program by cash, check, Visa, MasterCard or Discover only.

Please note:

  • Programs include one free chaperone (staff/parent) for every 10 paying children. Additional adults must pay the program fee.​
  • There is a $30 minimum program charge.
  • We can only accommodate a maximum of 3 classes (or 60 students) per day. Please request multiple dates if needed.