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2501 Highland Park Dr.
815-741-7277
Hours of Operation:
June – August
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Daily
September – May
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Daily
Field Trips: General Information
Click here for more information about
Nature Center rentals or to download a trail map.
- Letter to Teachers
- Our Philosophy
- Our Mission
- We Promise
- Registering for a Program
- Recommendations for the Best Trip
- Weather
- Naturalist Visit to Your Classroom
- Your Trip Lunch
- If Your Group is Late
- Gift Shop
- Have a Really Big Group?
- Adopt an Animal
Dear Teachers:
Welcome to the world of Pilcher Park Nature Center!A world of discovery, exploration, science in action, and natural beauty.
Why should you bring your class out to Pilcher Park for a field trip? We understand the pressures of curriculum expectations and fulfilling State Learning Standards . . . those are the reasons a field trip to Pilcher Park is the perfect choice! Let me explain:
Curriculum Expectations. With today’s curriculum, you have a lot of information to cover in a school year. We can’t think of a better way to bring science alive than by seeing and exploring the world students read about in their textbooks. Plus, after your trip, you can have them do language activities, art, or math problems that refer to your day at Pilcher Park!
Fulfilling State Learning Standards. A field trip to Pilcher Park is the ideal way to fulfill numerous State Learning Standards while fostering students’ love of learning. The Standards addressed by each field trip are listed in the Field Trip Guide. Through our hikes and hands-on activities, we use the students' boundless energy as a learning PLUS!
We also would like to call attention to some of our new, longer field trips . . . interviews with numerous teachers like yourself taught us that, by the time the kids are bussed, “field tripped,” and bussed back to school, even a one-hour field trip feels like all day. So why not make a day of it? Woodland Adventures, Survival Day, and Pond Study are all programs that are geared for a full school day of learning and fun. Or, combine two or more of our other exciting programs with a picnic lunch and you have made the most of your trip!
We hope to see you this year out at the Park!
Sincerely,
Debbie Greene, Nature Center Superintendent
Our Philosophy . . .
...is that play-centered discovery learning helps children create an emotional bond with nature. We encourage children to touch slugs, smell decomposing leaves, climb on logs, and ask lots of questions about what lights their fire about nature. Our job is to provide a safe environment in which to explore, and to show each child they need not fear the world around them. If these kids get a little dirt on them while they’re here, we’ve done our job . . . we take some dirt home everyday, too!
Our Mission . . .
. . . is to educate children and adults about the wonders of nature through exploration, discovery, and fun. We hope to help create lifelong lovers of the environment by providing frequent, participant-inspired exciting access to wild places.
We Promise . . .
- Our friendly naturalists will greet your group and tell you the plan for the day. We will try to provide the smallest naturalist-to-student ratio possible.
- Each naturalist will present the same basic information, but each group will find different teachable moments making their experience unique. (Great for discussions back in the classroom.)
- Your students will have interactive, exploratory and exciting learning experiences. We treat this as an informal classroom, where learning is still the foundation.
- We will try to meet any special requests you may have to accommodate your class. Feel free to call ahead and talk to one of the naturalists.
Registering for a Program
- Schedule ahead - Some months fill very quickly, so get your reservation in early.
- There is a minimum of 20 people for any program. (Maple Syrup minimum is 30 people)
- Find the perfect field trip.
- Note seasonal limitations - Some programs are not offered in winter, others are only offered in winter . . . so be sure to check!
- Call and reserve a day! Call us between 9 am & 3 pm, Monday through Friday, at (815) 741-7277 with questions about programs and availability. Note that larger groups may require a deposit and all maple syrup field trips require a 50% deposit to schedule.
- The Paper Trail - We will send out a confirmation letter summarizing your trip.
- The Big Day - Please bring your confirmation letter along with any outstanding payment due. Checks should be made payable to the Joliet Park District.
For the BEST Field Trip, we recommend . . .
. . . that you and your students arrive DRESSED FOR THE WEATHER. A comfortable hiker is a happy hiker. Bring rain coats & boots as needed. If it is not thundering or lightning, we will go outside. Wear older shoes (no open toes) and clothes that can get dirty. Long pants are recommended year-round. Winter field trippers: dress for hiking (hats, coats, mittens, boots) . . . we WILL go outside.
. . . that you coach chaperones on your expectations for the students. We appreciate chaperones who assist our naturalists in keeping excited students reasonably disciplined.
. . . that teachers and chaperones express enthusiasm while on the field trip. It’s contagious! Teachers/chaperones who are engaged and excited inspire the same in their students.
. . . that you bring one teacher or chaperone for about every 12-15 students. There will be no charge for chaperones, up to one for every 10 students. Any more than this will have to pay a class fee. (There is a fee for chaperones for the Maple Syrup Breakfast field trips, but it’s worth it!)
. . . that cell phones are turned off.
Weather
We want your students to have a positive learning experience at Pilcher Park. Mild weather fluctuations like a light drizzle are usually not a problem if students wear proper attire. In case you must cancel due to weather, please call us at 9:00 am. We will try to reschedule your class but cannot guarantee an opening.
Naturalist Visit to Your Classroom!
Schedule a Naturalist to visit your classroom. We offer a handful of programs that can be taught in your classroom or ours. Descriptions of Field Trips are located in the guide.
- Reptiles and Amphibians
- Native Americans
- Squirmin’ Worms
- Feathered Frenzy
- Traveling Hawk Talk
Lunch . . .
You are more than welcome to bring your own sack lunch and enjoy the sounds of nature while eating your feast. Pilcher Park offers picnic areas in many settings of our woods. Sit in a playground, along the creek, and even in the Nature Center’s backyard. This is great for both a one-hour trip or an all-day trip.
In the event of bad weather, indoor lunching space may be available for
an additional charge of $1.00 per person. Be sure to let us know if your
group will be staying for lunch to avoid conflicts with other scheduled
programs using the Community Room or Class Room.
If Your Group is Late
Due to consideration of other registered groups, if you arrive late for your program, the program will still end at the time scheduled according to your reservation.
Gift Shop
The Nature Center has a gift shop, with the proceeds benefitting the facility. Many fun items are available for under $1.00.
Have a Really Big Group? Fear Not!
Choose at least two field trips and we can rotate your super-sized group between the different field trips. We want to see you this year and will try to accommodate your group size when possible.
Field trip group maximums are listed and adhered to because we also know the best environmental field trip is the one where each of the students in the group can interact easily with their naturalist. Also, some field trip group sizes are limited due to equipment or space constraints. Call with questions!
Adopt an Animal
Connect your classroom to the Nature Center by adopting an Animal at Pilcher Park Nature Center. Sign your class up to sponsor one of the Nature Center's many animals or fish tanks. The sponsor money will go toward the feeding and living cost of the animal. Your class will receive:
- Certificate of Adoption
- Photo of your Adopted Animal
- Fun Animal Fact Sheet
- Name, School, and Picture will be hung next to your adopted animal.
Contact the Nature Center if you would like to Adopt an Animal.