School Field Trips
Richard Bong State Recreation Area is an ideal natural classroom. There are several habitats to explore on its 4,515 acres including wetlands, grasslands and forests. We hope the park will be a place to bring your class to explore and enjoy.
Goals
Our goal is to integrate what you have been teaching in the classroom with a field experience. We feel a hands-on experience helps make curricula more concrete. We hope too, that this trip will spark an even greater interest and awareness in our natural world. In the long run, we hope this leads to an informed and concerned citizenry who will work to improve the quality of life.
Scheduling a Group
Complete the application–one visit per application–and return it to the listed address or fax. Applications will be processed on a first come, first serve basis. No telephone applications will be accepted.
Fees
There is a fee of $2.00/student. You may bring the payment the day of your visit. Make checks payable to WI DNR. Vehicle entrance fees are waived.
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Click Here for Program Details on School Field Trips
Program Description Grades Length Season Over the Meadow Listen to a story then explore the meadow for animal homes. K-1 1HR ALL Hide and Seek A fun way to discover how animals use camouflage to survive. K-2 1HR FALL Animal Detectives Investigate clues to discover the secret lives of animals. 2-6 1.5HRS ALL Trees are Terrific A hands-on way to discover why trees are so terrific. 1-3 1HR SP,F Tree Detectives Identify trees and learn how we depend on them. 4-8 1.5HRS SP,F Feathered Friends A fun way to learn why birds are so unique! K-3 1HR ALL Have Beak, Will Travel Identify local birds and learn what they need to survive. 4-8 1.5HRS ALL Art in Nature Get inspired by nature then create your own work of art. 1-5 1.5HRS ALL Incredible Insects Net some insects to see just how incredible they are. 3-6 1.5HRS FALL Investigate Insects Capture and identify local insects. Investigate adaptations. 7-12 1.5HRS FALL Seeds-Packages of Life Experiment with seeds to see how and why they are so mobile. 3-6 1.5HRS FALL Prairie Primer An introduction to the wonders of the prairie. 2-5 1.75HRS FALL The Living Prairie An investigation into how a prairie adapts and survives. 6-12 1.5HRS ALL Fur, Feathers, Scales and Slime Discover how to tell animal groups apart and how important those body coverings are. 4-6 1.5HRS ALL How to Stay Found Learn to use a compass. Participate in a game to test your skills. 5-12 1.75HRS SP,F Pond Peeking Dip into ponds and discover who lives there. 3-5 1.5HRS SP,F Water Quality Experiment to see what can and does live in local waters. 7-12 1.5HRS FALL Registration is done on a first-come, first-served basis. No registrations are taken over the phone; they must be mailed, faxed, or dropped off in person. You can call at any time and request an application. Group sizes must be at least 15 and no more than 30. We can take two groups a day, one group with naturalists, the other self-guided then we would switch.
Self Guided Tours
Due to staffing and equipment constraints, classes attending a naturalist-led program will be limited to groups of 15-30 students. Often, two classes must take field trips together. When this happens, we recommend that one class (with their teachers or parents) complete the naturalist program while the other class participates in a self-guided tour. The classes then switch so both portions of the program are completed.
- INDEPENDENT–Teachers may devise their own program to complement the naturalist program or bring specialists to help them throughout the day.
- ASSISTED–We have many excellent resources we would be happy to share. We can help you set up the day and are willing to suggest activities and provide equipment when possible.
- BUCKET TOURS–Each tour comes complete with a program outline, a map when necessary, and activity sheets–all of which are sent to you prior to your visit. Upon arrival a set of buckets containing the hands-on, exploratory nature activities explained in the outlines will be set-up or available for your use.
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Click Here for Program Details on Self Guided Tours
Program Description Grades Length In Touch with Nature Students use their senses to explore nature. Fun activities and games help them discover the wonders of nature. K-2 45MIN Watch for Wildlife Students use a variety of fun and involving activities to explore the signs, homes and habitats of area wildlife. 3-4 1HR-1.5HRS Habitat Safari Students explore and compare three habitats and the creatures that live there. **Should not be used in conjunction with Prairie or Pond program. 5-8 1.5HRS-2.5HRS
Other Resources Available
We have additional resources for the classroom teacher. You may check these out for up to two weeks. They are loaded with great hands-on activities that you may use in your classroom. Some activities may be used at park as your self-guided program.
- WHITETAIL DEER TRUNK—Learn about the life and biology of whitetail deer. Discover what they eat, how they live and how they interact with humans. Everything you need is in the trunk!
- FOREST PARK PACK—Discover all about Wisconsin’s forest resources and citizens and how humans interact with and depend on our forests. Geared for middle school.
- FISH PARK PACK–Dozens of activities to discover the biology, life cycles, impact and importance of Lake Michigan and its citizens. Geared for middle school.
- TACKLE LOAN–We have rods, reels and tackle as well as other educational equipment to try your hand at fishing.
- WHOOPING CRANE TRUNK—Learn about the adaptations, survival and biology of the endangered Whooping Cranes. This trunk is loaded with curriculum ideas and hands-on items. Learn more here.
