Fernwood offers educational programs throughout the year. Whether you are interested in nature, gardening, travel, or the arts, Fernwood has something for you!

Public Programs & Trips

Fernwood offers programs for people of all ages. These include nature programs for children, night hikes, afternoon canoe excursions, “how to” gardening classes, day trips to natural and horticultural attractions, symposia on nature and gardening subjects, and extended trips within the United States and abroad.

A schedule of upcoming classes, programs and trips is published quarterly in Fernwood’s newsletter. To see the newsletter, click here. Additional items that are scheduled in between newsletters can be viewed on our What's New page or the Calendar of Events. For more information, call 269/695-6491.

On-Site School Program

Fernwood’s Environmental Studies Program (ESP) serves children from public, private, and home schools. The curriculum is designed to meet state science guidelines, and programs use hands-on activities appropriate to each grade level. The education staff strives to make the Fernwood experience a fun and positive one for each child.

Programs run from 1½ to 2 hours and are tailored to the season. The fee is $2.50 per student, with teachers and adults free.

The following programs are recommended for the grades listed, but most can be adapted for other levels.

1st Grade: Awaken to Nature
Children use their senses to explore the natural world. Concepts: the five senses, nature appreciation.

2nd Grade: Wild about Wildlife
Learn what is unique about mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects and spiders, and discover these creatures in their natural environments. Concepts: classification, life cycles, warm-blooded/cold-blooded.

3rd Grade: Habitats
Explore Fernwood’s habitats and learn what plants and animals need to survive. Concepts: habitat, adaptation, tree identification.

3rd Grade: Weather
Gather weather data, make a forecast, and learn how animals respond to the weather. Concepts: elements of weather, seasonal weather patterns, water cycle.

4th Grade: Pond Life
Catch water creatures and learn about the ecology of Fernwood’s pond. Concepts: types and values of wetlands, life cycles, adaptation, classification, food chain. Available in September, October, April, and May only.

4th Grade: Michiana’s Native Americans
Explore the lives of the Potawatomi Indians and learn how they used their environment to survive. Concepts: Michiana history, cultural traditions, medicinal and food uses of native plants and animals.

4th -6th Grade: Invasive Aliens are Here!
Learn what makes invasive plants and animals so successful and how people are combating their encroachment into local environments. Concepts: native vs. alien, invasive, adaptation, competition.

5th Grade: Winter Ecology
Learn how animals survive the winter and about tracks and snowflakes. Concepts: winter weather, hibernation, migration, tracking skills, tree identification. Available in January and February only.

6th Grade: Tallgrass Prairie
Visit Fernwood’s prairie and learn about plant and animal adaptations, succession, and related American history topics. Concepts: ecosystem/biome, adaptation, benefits of fire, seed production and dispersal. Available in September only.

6th Grade: Forest Plot Study
Use the scientific method, keys, and observation skills to study wet and dry forests. Concepts: scientific method, data analysis, tree identification, interactions.

2nd-6th Grade: Garden Exploration.
Take a guided walk through Fernwood’s gardens, learning about plant structure, habitat, adaptation, human uses of plants, and folklore. The tour can be tailored to meet your curriculum needs. Available in September, October, April, & May only. Contact Steve Bornell at ext. 216.

Other topics are available by request.

On-site school programs are scheduled beginning in late August, and the calendar fills fast. For a current brochure or for more information, call the Nature Center at 269/695-6491 ext. 221, or click here to send an e-mail message.

In-School Traveling Naturalist Program

When school groups cannot come to Fernwood, Fernwood goes to them! The Traveling Naturalist visits schools from December through March.

There is also a charge for the naturalist's mileage to and from Fernwood.

The following programs are recommended for the grades listed, but most can be adapted for other levels.

Kindergarten: Wildlife Encounter
Touch mammal furs, bird wings, and reptile scales. Concepts: classification, animal natural history.

Kindergarten: Nature by Stories
Gather around to hear a story and touch what the naturalist has brought! Concepts: listening skills, animal natural history.

1st Grade: Tame vs. Wild
Learn the difference between tame and wild animals and what animals need to stay alive. Play a game to discover which wild animals live in Michiana. Concepts: survival needs, wild animals are not bad, habitats, animal natural history.

1st Grade: Insects
Enter the world of insects and make a craft to illustrate metamorphosis. Concepts: body structure, life cycles, classification.

2nd Grade: Michiana Mammals
Study mammal skins and learn how special local mammals are. Concepts: classification, habitat, adaptation, carnivore/herbivore/omnivore, spelling skills.

3rd Grade: Plants
Explore the world of plants through a photosynthesis play and other activities. Concepts: plant structure, seed production and dispersal, human uses of plants.

3rd Grade: Geology
Explore how minerals are used, how rocks are classified and can change over time, and see fossils of ancient life. Concepts: classification, formation, earth history, human use.

4th Grade: Predators, Master Hunters
Learn what it takes to be a predator, then play a game to explore the life of the coyote. Concepts: predator/prey, food chain, adaptations, balance of nature, math skills.

5th Grade: Food Chains
Learn how energy flows through the natural world and build a food web to see the interconnectedness of all living things. Concepts: food chain, producer/consumer, impact of DDT, photosynthesis.

6th Grade: Endangered Species
Find out why plants and animals are endangered, discover those found in our communities, and learn what people can do to help them. Concepts: animal natural history, human impact, biodiversity.

6th Grade: Developing an Environmental Ethic
Hear what pioneering conservationists have written, discuss reasons to care for the earth, and learn about the importance of respecting our home planet. Concepts: conservation, stewardship, biodiversity, thinking and discussion skills.

Other programs are available upon request. For more information, call 269/695-6491 ext. 221, or click here to send an e-mail message.

Summer Day Camps

Fernwood offers two camps for children each summer. Nature Camp uses hikes, games, crafts, and educational activities to introduce kids to the wonders of nature. In the Roy and Ethelbel Knauer Art Camp, children use Fernwood’s gardens and natural areas as inspiration for artistic projects of various kinds. Camps run Tuesday through Friday, serving a different age group each week.

Camp registration begins in early May. The camps are popular and fill quickly, so early registration is recommended. For a schedule, prices, and further information, call 269/695-6491 ext. 221 or click here. Click here to send an e-mail message.

Badge Workshops for Scouts

Due to staff reductions, we are temporarily not offering Girl Scout or Boy Scout badge workshops. We hope to resume these programs again in the future. In the meantine, please consider bringing your troop out for a self-guided visit. There are beautiful flowers in the gardens, adventures along the woodland trails, and frogs to spy at the pond. The Nature Center contains a bird-viewing area and educational displays about local wildlife. Service projects remain available for interested Scouts. Help plant or mulch in the gardens, wood-chip the nature trails, hang lights or bake cookies for The Lights Before Christmas, or inquire about other opportunities. For information, call 269/695-6491 ext. 221, or click here to send an e-mail message.

Self-Guided Education

If the above programs do not fit your schedule or needs, Fernwood offers opportunities to learn on your own. Interpretive signs are located along the garden paths and woodland trails, and brochures are available in the Visitors Center and Nature Center if you want to know more.

Teachers may bring their students to Fernwood for self-guided tours. The Nature Center is available if not being used for Fernwood programs. An open-air platform located in the woods west of the pond and a pavilion in the gardens may be reserved free of charge. Teachers are strongly encouraged to attend a free site-use training session before bringing children to Fernwood. Call 269/695-6491 ext. 221 or click here to send an e-mail message to schedule a session.