Flanders Nature Center and Land Trust, Woodbury, Connecticut

established 1963

Trails open year 'round!
Over 500 members!

Located in Woodbury, CT
203-263-3711

A Guide to Educational
Visits to Your Classroom

View our Program List.

Let us join you for the day!

Flanders educators present a variety of environmentally based programs using natural artifacts and activities in creative ways to engage and inform students.

Since its founding in 1963, Flanders has worked to promote the understanding and appreciation of nature through educational programs. Over the years, nature center educators have visited thousands of area students to enrich their knowledge of the environment.

All programs can be tailored to suit specific school curricula and age levels.

Educational Visits
Grade: Kindergarten and above
Maximum attendance per program: 30 students, one school-provided adult required

Grade: Preschool
Maximum attendance per program: 25 students, one school-provided adult required

Fees for Programs at Schools

$65 for each one-hour program. (A mileage charge may apply.)

Second program at same location on the same day: $60 per hour. (For this reduced fee, programs must run back to back.)

Payment/Cancellation:
Payment is required two weeks prior to the program. Full refunds will be given with notification of cancellation up to two weeks prior to program date; later cancellations receive a 50 percent refund. No refunds will be issued with less than one week's notice. If Flanders cancels a program, the program fee will be refunded 100 percent, or the program may be rescheduled.

IN-CLASS PROGRAMS:

Mammal Mania
Bobcats, mice, and wolves are all mammals. Where do they live and why don't they need a raincoat? Students discover common characteristics among mammals, as well as differences between herbivores and carnivores. They also learn to distinguish various types of fur, and the habits and habitats of mammals native to Connecticut. Through the use of educational games and hands-on activities about predator-prey relationships, students explore the challenges mammals face in raising their young, surviving New England winters, and more.
CT Science Framework Standards: K.2, 1.2, 3.2, 4.2, 5.2

Feathered Friends

An introduction to the world of birds—their habitats, distinguishing characteristics, and migratory habits. Vocabulary expands as students learn to identify the various parts of a bird, including species identification through feathers, beaks, and feet. Discussion will include nesting behaviors, flight patterns, and songs specific to each species. Students will also investigate nests to discover the resoucefulness of birds. SCIENCE CONTENT: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 & 14
LANGUAGE ARTS: 1 & 2

From Eggs to Legs (April - June)
What's inside the egg? Students will see what the inside of an egg looks like while learning the parts of the egg. There will be live chicks for students to see and touch, along with hens and a rooster. A story relating to egg bearing animals will be shared, as will a craft that teaches children that chickens aren't the only ones that lay and hatch from eggs.
CT Science Framework Standards addressed: *K, 1.2, 1.3, 3.2, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2

Incredible Insects

Through scavenger hunts and educational games, students will become familiar with insect anatomy and the function of each body part. They will compare insect anatomy with their own, as they learn to respect these fascinating critters. Insects of Connecticut are our specialty.
CT Science Standards addressed: 1.3, 3.2, 4.2

The Five Senses In Nature

Imagine seeing with compound eyes, hearing with rabbit ears, or smelling as a fly! What a difference antennae make when you're small, and noses make when you're tall! Understand eye and ear placement as an indicator for herbivores or carnivores and begin to realize that all critters depend upon their senses to survive.
SCIENCE CONTENT: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 & 14
LANGUAGE ARTS: 1 & 2

Winter Survival

Burrr! Question animals face in winter include whether to eat or sleep, to stay where it's cold or to migrate. Do animals plan ahead? How do critters decide? Find out through hands-on, minds-on survival tactics and educational games.
CT State Curriculum Standards addressed: K.2, K.3, 1.2, 2.2, 2.4, 3.2, 4.2, 5.2

Understanding Beavers

Do you know the huge impact beavers have on our environment? How do they know when to move? What happens to habitatt when a beaver moves out, and to the one they move into. Discover the fascinating interdependence of wildlife on this ancient engineer of the wild.
CT Core Science Curriculum Framework: K.2, 1.2, 1.3, 3.2, 4.2, 5.2

Habitat Hunt

What does it take to support different types of animal life, such as food, water, shelter, space, and sun? How do animals' needs compare to ours? Students learn about the important relationship between animals and their respective habitats through food-web games and other fun activities.
CT Science Standards addressed: K.2, 1.2, 1.3, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2

Animal Classification

The adaptations of animals help young scientists to classify. Learn the basics of identifying different types of vertebrates native to New England, inclusing how they find food and escape from predators. Vocabulary reinforcers for classification are included.
SCIENCE CONTENT: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 & 14
LANGUAGE ARTS: 1 & 2

Worms for Lunch (September - November and April - June)
By studying a bin of worms at work, students will learn about soil composition and composting. The life cycles of plants will be discussed as students learn about gardens and gardening while planting their own rye seed plant, which ties in the understanding of soil erosion. There will also be a story and hands-on participation.
CT Science Standards: 1.3, 2.2, 3.2, 3.4, 4.2
Social Studies Content Standard 12: Human and Environment Interaction: K - 4, 5 - 8

Maple Sugaring (Special Seasonal Program)
Learn about this important New England tradition! This program can be presented separately or in conjunction with our on-site program (see Field Trip listing). It combines science, language arts, social studies and art, in the warmth of your classroom. When followed by our one-hour field trip program at Flanders, students get the full sensory experience as they identify sugar maples, drill tree holes, watch the sap drip, smell the evaporating sap, and taste the final syrup.
SCIENCE CONTENT: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 & 14
LANGUAGE ARTS: 1 & 2

Custom Programs

To meet the needs of specific school curricula and to take advantage of Flanders many resources, programs can be custom designed to meet your school's particular educational goals.

Multiple-Visit Programs
Consider a more in-depth experience for your students. Flanders can develop a program specific to your curriculum needs that includes pre- and post-classroom visits in conjunction with a Flanders field trip. Contact our office for details.

For more information, contact:
Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust
203-263-3711

Click here for our Field Trip Programs!

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