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School, Scouts, and Youth Outreach

Looking for a fun and engaging learning experience for your classroom, Scout group or other community group? From night hikes to live animal programs and farm tours to agricultural heritage programs, the Preservation Parks Education Department offers outreach programs covering a variety of natural and cultural history topics. Most are free and a great way to introduce your group to Delaware County’s cultural and natural heritage.

Field trips are limited to 75 participants per field trip per day. If your group is larger than 75, you must schedule two dates.
For school field trips at Deer Haven Park, groups choose three program topics and follow a rotating schedule. Most popular field trip programs at Deer Haven are Habitat Hike, Wetland Exploration, Fossils, Animal Adaptation, and Reptiles and Amphibians.
Field trips to Gallant Farm are limited to Tuesday and Wednesday only.

To schedule an outreach program or field trip, please contact Casey Smith at csmith@preservationparks.com

Outreach Programs Available

This is a general list of programs we can offer. If there is a topic that you would like to cover that is not listed below, please do not hesitate to ask. We are flexible and will work with you to develop a program that will meet State of Ohio Academic Content Standards, scout badge requirements or other needs to the best of our ability. We can conduct programs either at your site (school building, land lab, or other meeting facility) or at one of the parks managed by Preservation Parks.

Community groups that see a program in our regular public program schedule and would like to attend should contact us in advance to schedule a special program on that topic specifically for your group.

Programs on specific types of plants or animals are offered in the following categories:

  • Reptiles and Amphibians
  • Birds
  • Mammals
  • Plants
  • Insects and Arachnids
  • Monarchs
  • Animals of Ohio
  • Animal Adaptations
  • Sensory Awareness
  • Animal Adaptations
  • Sensory Awareness
  • Orienteering
  • Geocaching
  • Fossils
  • Nocturnal Animals (a night hike can be scheduled to coincide)
  • Stream Exploration – Available April through October (at parks or on-site if available)
  • Wetland Exploration – Available April through October (at parks or on-site if available)
  • Habitat Exploration – at parks or on-site if available
  • Ohio and Delaware County geology
  • Depression Era (1930’s) Farm Life Programs (Gallant Farm or on-site)
  • Boy Scout and Girl Scout Badge Programs to help meet badge requirements
  • General program on Preservation Parks

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Programs

Earth Day Celebration

Bring the whole family to this Earth Day Celebration! Purchase native garden plants offered by local nurseries and enjoy a free concert by Banana Slug String Band.

FLEX Trails (Free Local EXercise)

FLEX Trails are established along the trails at Char-Mar Ridge Preserve. Stations set up along the trails include signs that explain how to do various exercises, right there, with no equipment

Geocaching in Preservation Parks

Geocaching and letterboxing are fun hobbies that provide a great reason to enjoy the outdoors. Preservation Parks does allow geocaches and letterboxes to be placed in the parks, as long as Park District guidelines are followed.

Group Hikes

Embark on a journey with fellow enthusiasts or enrich your knowledge on the go! We’ve got your hiking experience sorted. Explore our curated group hike programs, each with unique themes that cater to diverse interests.

Photography Contest

The photo contest is open to all amateur photographers, youth to adult.  Amateur is defined as someone who derives less than 50% of their annual income from the sale of photographs or photographic works. 

School, Scouts, and Youth Outreach

Looking for a fun and engaging learning experience for your classroom, Scout group or other community group? From night hikes to live animal programs and farm tours to agricultural heritage programs, the Preservation Parks Education Department offers outreach programs covering a variety of natural and cultural history topics.

Solar Eclipse

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada, and right here in Ohio! 

Winter 100

Walk 100 miles or 100 kilometers (62
miles) from January 1 – March 31, 2024. Register, log your distance, and be connected to a community of walkers this winter.

Winter Letterbox Adventure

The clues located on these pages guide you on a winter exploration of FIVE different parks and help you learn more about the wonders of space. Instead of a traditional letterbox, you will find a sign at each park.

Programs

Group Hikes

Embark on a journey with fellow enthusiasts or enrich your knowledge on the go! We’ve

Photography Contest

The photo contest is open to all amateur photographers, youth to adult.  Amateur is defined

Solar Eclipse

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico,

Winter 100

Walk 100 miles or 100 kilometers (62
miles) from January 1 – March 31, 2024.