Opportunities for Home School Families

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary

Environmental Education Opportunities for Home School Families

Workshop Series
for Individual Home School Families.

Spring 2008

Wednesdays, Ages 7 and up

Registration Fees for the Workshop Series:
Register for the entire five-program series: $15.00 per child. Family discount: $10.00 per additional child.
If registering for less than the full series: $3.00 per child per program. Family discount: $2.00 per additional child.
Click here for the Registration Form for these programs.

Woodpeckers
Wednesday, February 27; 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
These bright birds with a dash of red brighten our winter days. Come learn about Jug Bay's six species of woodpeckers. We'll explore their fascinating adaptations and go outside to identify them and observe their behavior. Bring binoculars if you have them.

Vernal Pools
Wednesday, March 19; 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Vernal pools--forested wetlands that are dry for part of the year--provide vital habitat for amphibians. Come and see what's happening in our vernal pools this spring. We'll examine the soil of a forested wetland and search for frogs and salamanders in various life stages, as well as other aquatic animals. Wear wading boots or shoes that can get wet (plus a change of walking shoes) and dress for the weather.

Migration
Wednesday, April 30; 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
The forests come alive at this time of year with the songs of birds returning from their wintering grounds. How do animals know when it's time to migrate? How do they find their way? We'll explore the marvel of migration--not only by birds but other animals as well--through nature observation, activities, and games.

Animal Architecture
Wednesday, May 21; 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Animals are amazing engineers, creating strong, complex structures--from nests to honeycombs to silky webs. We'll go on a hike to find examples of animal architecture, and learn about these structures through games and activities.

Something's Fishy
Wednesday, June 11; 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Fish living in the Patuxent River are of all shapes and sizes. Some are migrants, and others live there year-round. We'll wade into the water with a seine net to collect fish, then identify them and learn about their life histories. Please wear old clothes and tie-up shoes that can get wet and muddy, and a bathing suit underneath, if you like. We will hike one mile to the riverside, so please be on time.

Do you have a group of 10 or more Home School students?

Home School Groups (minimum ten children) can schedule their own special program during the week. These programs last 2-4 hours, and the content is determined during a planning session with a Naturalist.
Dates are limited, so please schedule the program with a naturalist BEFORE you advertise it to your group.

Program topics include (but are not limited to):

Amphibians and Reptiles

Birds in Winter

Cycles and Chains (Life cycles and food chains)

Insect Safari

Nature Detectives/Signs of The Season

Nature Did it First! (Adaptations of Plants and Animals)

Pond and Stream

Tree-mendous Trees

Skulls and Bones

Vernal Pools-(Spring only)

Wonderful Wetlands

Wetland Ecology by Canoe (for children ages 7 and older)

For older children (10 and above):

Biological Stream Assessment

Water Quality of Streams and Wetlands

Home School Group Program fee: $1.00 per child.

To schedule a program, complete the Home School Application Form and mail or fax it to us

Application for a home school group (minimum 10 children.)

Become a Volunteer!

Families can also learn about science and ecology, first hand, by volunteering with our research projects. Families learn the scientific method, perform different ecological research techniques, collect data, and assist with data interpretation and analysis. This is also a good internship opportunity for high school students.

Check out some of our other programs where your family can do some of the same things on weekends.