Daycares and Summer Field Trips

SELF-GUIDED PROGRAMS

Self-guided groups are always welcome at the nature center, however, we ask that you schedule your visit as you would any program. Please call the nature center at least one month prior to your visit, otherwise we cannot guarantee space for your group unless discussed with our staff. Cost is $2.00 per person (normal trail fee). No equipment will be provided.

**If your group does not call the nature center prior to your self-scheduled visit, you may be asked to leave certain areas of the preserve in order for our education and events team to conduct scheduled programming.

TO REGISTER:

Scheduling is handled on a first-come, first-served basis subject to program availability. Register as early as possible to ensure your dates are available.

We are almost booked up this summer, please contact Rhiley at [email protected] directly to inquire about a date!

WHAT DO DAYS AT THE PRESERVE LOOK LIKE?

Half Day Programs (one program topic):

Our Half Day Program run from 10am-12pm or 12:30-2:30pm (We are always happy to accommodate these times if available)
- These times reflect our start time and wrap up time, not arrival and departure.
  - Please arrive no more than 10 minutes prior to your field trip time.
    - If you arrive more than 10 minutes prior, you will need to wait on the bus or occupy students until staff is ready.
- In those 2 hours or programming we will take a bathroom break before starting or halfway through the program.
- Lunch is not included within the programming time
  - If you would like to do lunch at the preserve, please let our staff know this

Full Day Programs (two program topics):

A full day program typically runs from 10am-2:30pm. Each session (program topic) is approximately 2 hours in length.
- The full day program includes a 30-45 minute lunch break (determined by our staff and your staff attending)
  - 10am-12pm – Students participate in one program topic
  - 12pm-12:30pm -Students and staff enjoy lunch, inside or outside weather dependent
  - 12:30pm-2:30pm – Students participate in second program topic
    - If there are two or more classes attending, classes will switch program topics after lunch.
  - These times reflect our start time and wrap up time, not arrival and departure.
    - Please arrive no more than 10 minutes prior to your start time.
      - If you arrive more than 10 minutes prior, you will need to wait on the bus or occupy students until staff is ready.

Day care programs are available only on Fridays during the summer months and work on a first come, first save basis.

FEES/PAYMENT

Half Day Program: $3.50 per student/$75.00 minimum
Full Day Program: $6.00 per student/$150.00 minimum

There is no charge for teachers or paraprofessionals. Payment must be received the day of the field trip. Cash or check preferred. A credit card processing fee will be charged (3.5%).

We allow 5 chaperones free of cost per classroom attending a field trip. If there are more than 5 chaperones per class, there will be an additional attendance fee per additional adult.

The exception to this is GPS/Geocaching and any Survival program where 1 adult is required for each small group.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Due to the high demand of our programs, we now require a deposit in order to hold and secure your program trip slot. This deposit is one third of the total cost of your trip, and will go towards your total trip cost. This is a non-refundable deposit.

If there are severe weather conditions, we will make our best effort to modify the program if necessary or notify you of cancellation as soon as possible. If the field trip is cancelled due to weather, your deposit will be refunded.

If your group cancels your field trip less than one week prior to your program date, the entire program cost will be due, and you will be unable to reschedule your program.

LUNCH FACILITIES

Lunch will be outside weather dependent. Bubolz Preserve is a carry in, carry out facility. You will be responsible for clean-up and carrying out of any trash.

When lunch is held indoors, field trip groups will have an indoor classroom space to enjoy a lunch break along with garbage disposal and recycling bins.

GROUP CONFIRMATION

A Group Confirmation Form will be emailed approximately 1 month before your visit. Please review and verify that the program date and time, number of registered students and any special instructions are correct.

FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT THE DAY OF

Programs will be held rain or shine and will be outdoors! Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions.
Please arrive on time for your program in order to complete all topics and activities.
Please have students wear name tags to assist our naturalists in interacting with your group.
While it is not required, it is highly recommended that to bring a change of clothes, socks, and shoes.
Chaperones and teachers are expected to maintain discipline while assisting in encouraging exploration and participation.
Enjoy your visit!

SUGGESTED PROGRAM TOPICS:

Sensory Awareness

Grades K – 3 | Time: 1.5 Hours
Using their senses, students will gain knowledge about the world around them. Students will explore animal habitats, learn about adaptations, and how to identify plants and animals. This guided hike is an excellent opportunity to see wildlife. Fully outdoor.

Each program participant will try a drop of maple syrup to end the program.

Tracks and Scat

Grades PreK – 1 | Time: 1.5 Hours
Students will learn how to investigate the lives of animals through the tracks and other signs they leave behind. Games, a nature hike and a hunt for animal tracks are included. Great program for winter exploration! Half indoor, half outdoor.

Pollinator Power: A Guide to Wisconsin Pollinators

Grades PreK – 2nd | Time: 1.5 Hours
Discover Wisconsin’s pollinators at Bubolz through hands on learning and activities! What is a pollinator? What do they do? What can they look like? Our naturalists will guide students in learning about the important job of our pollinators and the role they play within Wisconsin ecosystems, as well as ecosystems around the world. Through exploring our prairies and forests, in games, scavenger hunts, and insect catching, students will understand the importance of these small creatures. Half indoor, half outdoor.

Birds and Beaks

Grades 1 – 4 | Time: 2 Hours
Students will use binoculars, field guides, and other resources to learn and observe the common birds at the preserve. By the end of class, students will learn what adaptations birds have that make them unique from other classes of animals. In addition, we will look at how different birds adapt to the habitats in which they live. Half indoor, half outdoor.

Insects

Grades 1 – 2 | Time: 2 Hours
Through field investigations, students become aware of the diversity of aquatic and terrestrial insects found at the preserve. They will observe insects’ life cycles and compare the stages of metamorphosis exhibited by each species. Includes Pond Portion, fully outside.

GPS/Geocaching

Grades 3 – Adult | Time: 2 Hours
Go on a high-tech treasure hunt through the preserve. Students will learn what GPS means, why it is important, and how GPS is used in the real world. Included is the popular game of geocaching. During the winter, snowshoes may be included (depending on weather conditions). Available year-round.

1 adult required per small group. Recommended 5 chaperones per class (Approximately 25 students).

Survival

Grades 4 – Adult | Time: 2 Hours
Teamwork and problem solving are emphasized in this outdoor skills program that simulates an emergency situation in the outdoors. Students construct survival shelters out of forest debris and use primitive fire making skills to create a warming fire. Dressing for the weather and basic survival tips are also covered. Available year-round.

Marshmallows included, add on s’mores for $0.50 per participant.