Let our experienced Naturalist staff lead fun-filled, educational programs for your group or classroom! We have a variety of facilities and programs for your numerous interests; and our programs can be tailored for different ages and abilities. These engaging programs are developed with Ohio Academic Content Standards in mind and incorporate age-appropriate, hands-on learning. Let us help you find the program that best suits your needs and objectives. No matter what sort of local natural or cultural education opportunity you’re interested in, there’s a park and a program for that!

SCHEDULING INFORMATION

To schedule an educational program with Lorain County Metro Parks Naturalist staff, please adhere to the following guidelines:

• Programs must be requested at least one (1) month in advance but cannot be requested until the scheduling window for that period has opened. Refer to the table below for dates.

• Groups are limited to two (2) requested programs during a program period.

• Out-of-county groups may request a program to be held at one of our facilities. LCMP will not travel out-of-county for programming purposes.

• Please complete the Requested Program Form below. Once your request is received, a staff member will contact you to discuss arrangements. If you have any questions regarding your request, please contact outreach@loraincountymetroparks.com or call (440) 865-8786.

Requested program scheduling windows:

After reviewing program options, request programs by completing the online form below.

Programs Available by Request:

BACKSTAGE V.I.P. TOUR AT FRENCH CREEK THEATRE

Get a behind-the-scenes tour of French Creek Theatre. Backstage V.I.P. Tour at French Creek Theatre will provide a sneak peek at props, costumes, and set pieces. This program will explore rehearsal etiquette and include fun games. This program is suitable for grades 3 and up and is available at French Creek Nature Center. The cost for this program is $30 per group with a maximum of 35 participants.

BIRDING HIKE

Search the sky with the help of an expert eye. Join a Lorain County Metro Parks naturalist on the hunt for our local feathered friends. Students will learn tips for identifying species and locating bird habitats. Birding Hike will encourage exploration with the help of an interpretive guide. This FREE program is suitable for grades 5 and up and is available at the Sandy Ridge Reservation—a true birding hot spot! Groups are limited to a maximum of 35 participants.

BURRELL HOMESTEAD TOUR

Early settlers reached the community we now know as Sheffield in the early 1800s. One of the first families was that of Captain Jabez Burrell, whose home still stands today. The Burrell Homestead Tour will examine the life and home of a family that served as founding members of the community and who also played a critical role locally in the Underground Railroad. This FREE program is suitable for grades 4 and up. Groups are limited to a maximum of 20 participants

BUTTERFLY EXPERIENCE

Step into the magical world of the Miller Nature Preserve's Butterfly House. Be surrounded by these wings of wonder and get a hands-on learning experience with butterfly feeding. Butterfly Experience will delight flutter-fans of all ages. Groups are limited to a maximum of 20 participants.

CONSERVATORY TOUR

Dig into plant basics, explore life cycles, and investigate unique plant adaptations. The Conservatory Tour will provide an in-depth look at Miller Nature Preserve’s Conservatory. This interactive program is customizable for audiences of all ages. Groups are limited to a maximum of 20 participants.

EARLY PEOPLES OF THE BLACK RIVER

Hike the trails of French Creek Reservation and travel back through time to investigate those who walked these trails before. Early Peoples of the Black River will explore the lives of Native Americans and early settlers who called this watershed home. This interactive program is suitable for grades 3 and up and is available only at French Creek Reservation. The cost for this program is $30 per group with a maximum of 35 participants.

HORTICULTURE TOUR

Discover the art of garden cultivation and plant management. The Horticulture Tour will provide an in-depth look at Miller Nature Preserve’s Conservatory and outdoor gardens. This interactive program will focus on seasonal highlights and is customizable for audiences of all ages. Weather-appropriate clothing is required. Groups are limited to a maximum of 20 participants.

MUSICAL MOVERS

Music and movement help children develop motor skills and can enhance cognitive, physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Musical Movers allows self-expression, encourages creative play, and includes original storytelling. This engaging program is targeted at grades Preschool-2 and is offered at French Creek Reservation or Splash Zone. This program costs $25 per group, with a maximum of 20 participants.

NATURAL OHIO

Explore a variety of native wildlife and habitats found throughout Ohio. Natural Ohio will provide a hands-on experience with natural artifacts and live animal demonstrations. This program is suitable for all ages and is available at Carlisle Reservation, French Creek Reservation, Vermilion River Reservation, or an off-site location of your choice. The cost for this program is $30 per group at one of our facilities and $60 per group for off-site locations. Groups are limited to a maximum of 35 participants.

NATURE DISCOVERY DAYS AT FRENCH CREEK RESERVATION

Take a journey along the trail and discover interactive stations for a hands-on experience with nature. Nature Discovery Days at French Creek Reservation is an engaging experience suitable for grades 1-2. This program includes exciting trail time, an interactive and entertaining theatre-based performance, and a craft activity. The cost for this program is $75 per group and $100 for those who are coming from outside Lorain County. Groups are limited to a maximum of 35 participants.

REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS

Reptiles and amphibians are important members of the ecosystem. Reptiles and Amphibians will explore the similarities and differences between these often-misunderstood creatures. This program offers a hands-on experience with natural artifacts and live animal demonstrations. This program is suitable for grades 3-5 and is available at Carlisle Reservation, French Creek Reservation, Vermilion River Reservation, or an off-site location of your choice. The cost for this program is $30 per group at one of our facilities and $60 per group for off-site locations. Groups are limited to a maximum of 35 participants.

ROCKS AND RIVERS

Lorain County’s landscape has been carved by a number of rivers and waterways. Rocks and Rivers will encourage hands-on exploration of a river bed and its contents, including wildlife and geological features. Plus, this program reviews the history of gold panning and offers a chance to try your luck. This program is suitable for grades 2 and up and is available at Cascade Park and Vermilion River Reservation. The cost for this program is $30 per group with a maximum of 35 participants.

ROSE GARDEN TOUR

Stop and smell the roses—and get a hands-on lesson in maintenance and plant care required for the thousands of flowers found at Lakeview Park's historic rose garden. Rose Garden Tour will provide an in-depth answer to "how do the flowers grow". This FREE program is suitable for all ages. Groups are limited to a maximum of 35 participants.

SCHOEPFLE HOUSE AND GARDEN TOUR

Experience the magic of a garden with this guided journey through one man’s dream-like backyard. Schoepfle House and Garden Tour explores the picturesque Schoepfle Garden and provides a glimpse of Mother Nature’s dress for the season. This FREE program is suitable for all ages. Groups are limited to a maximum of 20 participants

SENSORY CIRCLE

Learn how humans and animals use their specialized senses to survive. Sensory Circle will encourage students to look, listen, smell, and feel their way through nature! This program includes a hands-on experience with natural artifacts and a live animal demonstration. This program is targeted at grades Preschool-2 and is offered at Carlisle Reservation, Cascade Park, French Creek Reservation, Vermilion River Reservation, or an off-site location of your choice. This program costs $25 per group, with a maximum of 20 participants.

TINY TALONS STORYTIME

Storytime can be an impactful learning experience for children. Tiny Talons Storytime will introduce early learners to birds of prey while a raptor-focused story is read-aloud. This program includes a hands-on experience with natural artifacts, engaging songs, and more. This program is targeted at grades Preschool-2 and is offered at Carlisle Reservation or an off-site location of your choice. This program costs $25 per group, with a maximum of 20 participants.

WATER STUDY - PONDS

Healthy ponds are indicators of healthy environments. Water Study–Ponds explores a pond watershed and includes an aquatic insect survey, water testing, and Enviroscape demonstration. Come prepared to get your hands and feet wet! This program is suitable for grades 2 and up and is available at Carlisle Reservation and Sandy Ridge Reservation. The cost for this program is $30 per group with a maximum of 35 participants.

WATER STUDY - STREAMS

Streams serve countless benefits to both society and the environment. Water Study–Streams explores a stream watershed and includes an aquatic insect survey, water testing, and Enviroscape demonstration. Come prepared to get your hands and feet wet! This program is suitable for grades 2 and up and is available at French Creek Reservation. The cost for this program is $30 per group with a maximum of 35 participants.

WHO LIVES IN A TREE

Trees are a vital part of our ecosystem. They give us air to breathe and provide a safe haven for wildlife. Who Lives in a Tree will reveal the importance of trees. This program includes a hands-on experience with natural artifacts, as well as music and games. This program is targeted at grades Preschool-2 and is offered at Carlisle Reservation, Cascade Park, French Creek Reservation, Vermilion River Reservation, or an off-site location of your choice. This program costs $25 per group, with a maximum of 20 participants.

WILDLIFE IN WINTER

Investigate cool animal adaptations and winter survival strategies of local wildlife species. Wildlife in Winter offers a hands-on experience with natural artifacts and live animal demonstrations. This program is suitable for grades K-2 and is available at Carlisle Reservation, French Creek Reservation, Vermilion River Reservation, or an off-site location of your choice. The cost for this program is $30 per group at one of our facilities and $60 per group for off-site locations. Groups are limited to a maximum of 35 participants.

BACKYARD BIRDS
(MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION)

Birds can bring delight and awe to those who take the time to observe them. Backyard Birds (Multimedia Presentation) will introduce common species that visit our county throughout the year. Plus, your group will learn tips on how to create a bird-feeding station of your own! This FREE slide show presentation and interactive discussion is targeted at an adult audience and is offered at an off-site location of your choice.

MAPLE SUGARING
(MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION)

Discover the sweet secret of how tree sap becomes delicious maple syrup. Maple Sugaring (Multimedia Presentation) will reveal the process of maple sugaring and why Ohio is Mother Nature’s perfect kitchen for cooking up the ingredients of this sticky pancake staple. This program includes video demonstrations of tree tapping, and a sneak peek into the Sugar Shack to catch the evaporator pan in action. This FREE slide show presentation and interactive discussion is targeted at an adult audience and is offered at an off-site location of your choice.

NATURAL OHIO
(MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION)

Explore a variety of native wildlife and habitats found throughout Ohio. Natural Ohio (Multimedia Presentation) will provide a hands-on experience with natural artifacts such as skulls, bones, feathers, pelts, and more from the wildlife that call our backyards home. This FREE slide show presentation and interactive discussion is targeted at an adult audience and is offered at an off-site location of your choice.

PREDATORS OF THE SKY
(MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION)

Learn why raptors and other birds of prey are the masters of the sky. Predators of the Sky (Multimedia Presentation) will focus on hunting strategy and other raptor adaptations. This program includes a hands-on experience with natural artifacts and video demonstrations featuring Carlisle Raptor Center wildlife ambassadors. This FREE slide show presentation and interactive discussion is targeted at an adult audience and is offered at an off-site location of your choice.

YOURS TO EXPLORE - THE LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS
(MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION)

Lorain County Metro Parks has been preserving traditions and creating memories for over 65 years. Yours to Explore - The Lorain County Metro Parks (Multimedia Presentation) will review the history, significance, and uniqueness of the park district. This FREE slide show presentation and interactive discussion is targeted at an adult audience and is offered at an off-site location of your choice.

Program Request Form