It has been proven that direct experiences in nature facilitate better long-term science learning. Nature-based learning experiences help engage thescientific mind and provide a framework on which children can buildupon, leading to a stronger scientific understanding and lifelongappreciation of the natural world. While technology and classroominstruction have their places in a child’s development, they cannotreplicate, duplicate, or replace essential outdoor learning experiences.

Environmental EducationPROGRAM GUIDEMedina County Park District’s environmental educationcurriculum is designed to meet criteria outlined in the contentthemes for science under the Ohio Content Standards forEducation. The park district’s dedicated team of naturalistswill help enhance your curricular classroom studies withpractical applications in the natural environment.

Connecting Children and Nature Transportation Assistance Grant Program The Friends of Medina County Parks, Inc., a 501 (C)3 supportingorganization of Medina County Park District, offers a grant program toschools to assist with transportation costs associated with traveling toWolf Creek for field studies. Grants are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. During the regular school year, all Medina County schoolgroups in grades two through six are eligible to apply. Grant moniesare limited to actual busing costs up to $150 per bus. Once you have scheduled a program, a grant application can berequested. An individual application for each date in which funds arebeing requested must be filled out completely, signed by the schoolprincipal, and received by the park district’s program scheduler withintwo weeks of scheduling your field study date. Applications must be approved prior to your attendance. Applicationswith incomplete or incorrect information will immediately be denied. Grant checks (not to exceed $150 per bus) will be mailed after thescheduled program has taken place and an invoice has been issued bythe district or school for payment. For questions about grant funding and to obtain a grant application,please contact Judy at (330) 239-4814.

Program choice

School/group name, grade, and # of students and adult

chaperones (1 per 15 required)

Contact information for school and person scheduling program

Preferred date/time and alternate date/time

Arrival/departure times

Special requirements or needs of any student

Scheduling Information Call Judy at (330) 239-4814 between 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, to schedule programs. Minimum Notice for SchedulingPlan ahead. A minimum of six weeks advance notice is requiredfor reservations, but popular month’s (October, April, and May)fill early. Please be prepared to provide:

Other Important Information

CancellationsPlease call if you are unable to keep your scheduled reservation. WeatherPrograms are held regardless of weather. Outdoor activities will be adapted to the indoors in unsafe weather conditions.Ensure all children are dressed appropriately for hiking and outdoor activities, including proper footwear. LunchPicnic tables outside the facility are available for your use forlunch. If weather is inclement, an indoor space for lunch will beprovided. Take Only MemoriesCollecting of any kind is not permitted at Wolf CreekEnvironmental Center or on any other park district properties. DisciplineTeachers are expected to handle any discipline issues that mayarise. No Phones/CamerasStudents are not permitted to use cell phones or cameras duringprograms.

Program TimesPrograms are offered Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., atWolf Creek Environmental Center Group SizeGroup size is generally limited to 60, but larger groups may beaccommodated with advance notice. Students will be divided intosmaller groups for the best low student-to-naturalist ratio before theprogram begins. FeesPrograms are free for Medina County schools/groups. Out-of-countyschools/groups are charged $3 per student. ConfirmationConfirmation of your reservation and specific details about selectedprograms will be sent to the contact person.

2nd GradeFossil AdaptationsStudents will investigate the process of fossilization, fossil animals, and some of the adaptations that helped them survive (and caused them to become extinct). Students will then hike to explore some of the characteristics of modern animals that enable them to thrive in their environments.

Eco-InteractionsAnimals impact the environment in a variety of ways. Students willexplore some of these eco-interactions through hands-on activitiesand search for evidence of them on a hike.

3rd GradeLife Cycles All living organisms have unique life cycles. Students will learn about the life cycles of different animal groups. We will take a hike to focus on a seasonally relevant animal.

Earth’s FoundationsRocks are the building blocks of the earth, and soil is the foundationfor all life. Students will investigate the different processes that occurto form various rocks and the unique characteristic of rocks that allowthem to be sorted and classified. Students will also learn about soilcomposition and the measurable, observable characteristics of soil.

Grades 1-6Programs are approximately three hours in total length. Themorning portion of the program is focused on meeting corestandard criteria through a variety of lessons and activities. Afterlunch, groups will be taken on an outdoor hike for practicalapplications and exploration of ecosystems. Unless noted,programs are offered year-round.

1st GradeFocus on Food ChainsWhere do living things get their energy? Why do animals live incertain types of habitats? Students will explore these habitats anddiscover how animals and plants depend on one another tosurvive.

Birds of a FeatherStudents will discover the physical needs of several common birds of Ohio through thisinteractive program about avian survivaland the unique traits that allow them to best live and thrive within their different habitats.

PreK & KindergartenPrograms are one hour in length and offered in the morning orafternoon year-round.

Seasonal DiscoveriesOutdoor programThrough observation of living things in their unique naturalenvironments, students will gain understanding of theinterrelationships and adaptations that allow them to survivethroughout the changing seasons.

What’s Wild?Indoor/outdoor program; may include live animalsNature provides wild animals with everything they need tosurvive without human intervention. Students will learn aboutthe differences between wild animals and pets and discover whywild animals do not make good pets.

SENSE-ational Hike Outdoor programLet’s look, listen, feel, and hear what is happening all around usas we enjoy the great outdoors! Students will learn how animalsuse their senses to live in their environments.

4th GradeShape of the EarthMany forces contribute to earth’s changing landscapes. Studentswill learn about how weathering, erosion, and deposition shaperocks and the earth. We’ll go on a hike to find evidence of theseforces in action.

Nature AdaptsOrganisms are dependent upon their environment. Changes inan organism’s environment are sometimes beneficial to itssurvival and sometimes harmful. Through hands-on activities,students will look at how animals have adapted to changesprehistorically and in modern day.

5th GradeAquatic EcosystemsOnly available April - OctoberOur aquatic ecosystems are teeming with life! Students willinvestigate several aquatic ecosystems by conductingstudies in search of macroscopic insects, tadpoles, fish, andother aquatic life, and examining microscopic life usingmicroscopes.

Terrestrial EcosystemsStudents will explore various terrestrial environments andconduct seasonally relevant, hands-on field investigations of lifein these ecosystems, including, observing and discussinglifecycles, predator-prey relationships, and the many otherinterrelationships of organisms.

Other programsThe following programs can be offered to grades one through sixand will meet some core content criteria. These programs areshorter in duration and are good choices if your group haslimited time or is looking for some quality investigative timeoutdoors. These programs are offered year-round.

Feathers, Fur, Scales, & SkinIndoor program; one hour in length With help from a few live animal ambassadors and hands-onobjects, students will learn the many fascinating and uniquecharacteristics of different animals, how they use thesecharacteristics for survival, and how they compare to humans.

General Nature HikeOutdoor program; one and a half hours in lengthOur parks offer limitless educational opportunities. On the hike,a naturalist will help students look for plants and animals andshare interesting facts about Ohio’s wildlife.

6th GradeRocks & Minerals Students will discover the basics of geology throughthis hands-on, interactiveprogram. We will study rock and mineralidentification and explore various examples of erosion and weathering as we hike the trails.

Learning is an adventure at WolfCreek Environmental Center! If the program offerings listed do not meet your exact educationalobjectives, please call to discuss modifications or additional options. A minimum of six weeks advance notice is required to schedule aprogram, but don’t wait too long – our schedule fills up quickly. CallJudy at (330) 239-4814 to schedule your class program today! Would you like to encourage your students to extend their naturallearning experiences with their families? Medina County Park Districtoffers a wide variety of free family nature programming all year long.Check out the program listings at medinacountyparks.com, and pleaseshare these opportunities with your parents. Inspire them to getoutside!