naturalist programs
Naturalist programs are for community organizations looking to add fun and educational programs to their calendar. Community education organizations, libraries, scout troops, preschools, day cares, and other community groups can come to PEBC for a program or have a PEBC naturalist visit them. Naturalist programs change by the season and are available primarily in summer and winter months.
A Few Notes To Help Navigate The Programs Below:
Programs run approximately 1 - 1.5 hours, depending on specific program and age group(s) in attendance. Any program listed as Pre-K – 6 can also be considered a “family” program and will be geared towards learners of all ages. Also, programs listed as Pre-K – 6 can be tailored to be smaller and more specific age range if requested. Please note it is required that a parent/caregiver accompany each pre-school aged child during the program. Please do not register students outside the recommended age/grade ranges for the programs!
Program Rates:
For locations within 60 miles of Lakefield: $90, plus current state mileage rate for round-trip mileage.
For locations 60-100 miles of Lakefield: $100, plus or current state mileage rate for round-trip mileage.
Ecology Bus programs are also available for outdoor field trip classes. Separate fee applies for bus programs.
Please contact Alisha at the PEBC office for further information.
Programs with an asterisk (*) behind the title may have an extra materials supply charge for activities/crafts, require an outdoor space or gymnasium, need a park/natural area setting or other specific requirement. Simultaneous or consecutive programs on same day will only have one mileage rate applied. Simultaneous programs not always available.
For questions or to book a program please contact Alisha Paplow at PEBC phone 507-662-5064 or Alisha@ecologybus.org.
Program offerings for fall/winter:
**Please note it is required that a teachers/paras/parent/caregiver be in the room during programs.
Duck, Duck, Gray Duck (Pre-K - Kindergarten)
PEBC isn’t just for the birds, it's for all budding birders! Come hatch an egg, explore feathers, and learn to sing like a bird in this fun class all about the birds of Minnesota!
Animal Super Skills (K-2nd grades)
Super strength? Leaping over tall buildings? Invisibility? All powers of our favorite superheroes! But animals can have superpowers too! Learn about the supers of the animal world and test out your super skills as well.
Becoming Nature (K-2nd grades)
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a tree? Or a bird? What about a river? In this program you will experience life from the point of view of nature and become part of our ecosystem.
Minecraft Ecosystems (3rd-5th grades)
Explore the world of Minecraft in real world ecosystems. Explore new areas, talk to leading scientists, and even build your own ecosystem! No computers or tablets needed.
Lost in the Woods (3-5th grades)
Do you know how to find North? I’ll give you a hint, it's not the moss on the trees! Join PEBC to learn all about finding your way around the world with a compass and a map. You may even find some buried treasure!
Snowshoeing
Winter is an awesome time to explore the outdoors and see who our wild neighbors are! With the help of a PEBC naturalist, you'll learn about which animals stay busy in Minnesota all winter long and how to find them! We'll learn how to track animals using our senses and go on a snowshoe trek to see who is living nearby. Participants should dress for the weather and be prepared for fun! Classes should ideally take place in a park or nature preserve, although in some instances we can make a school yard work – but is always much more fun to animal track where there are lots of trees and shrubs that create animal habitats. We provide the snowshoes (up to 30 pairs). Participants should come with snow boots (not tennis shoes or rubber boots), snow pants, if they have them, hats and gloves and otherwise dressed appropriately for being outside in the winter. Programs can run 2 – 3 hours. Snowshoe program rate: $250, plus round trip mileage.
Prairie Planetarium
Is it a bit too chilly for you to go gazing at the night sky? Come stargaze with us! Learn about winter constellations and the stars above, minus the cold weather.
Program Rate:
$200 for the first program, $150 for each additional program. Plus round trip mileage at current state mileage.
The Planetarium is an inflatable dome and has a few room requirements:
A Few Notes To Help Navigate The Programs Below:
Programs run approximately 1 - 1.5 hours, depending on specific program and age group(s) in attendance. Any program listed as Pre-K – 6 can also be considered a “family” program and will be geared towards learners of all ages. Also, programs listed as Pre-K – 6 can be tailored to be smaller and more specific age range if requested. Please note it is required that a parent/caregiver accompany each pre-school aged child during the program. Please do not register students outside the recommended age/grade ranges for the programs!
Program Rates:
For locations within 60 miles of Lakefield: $90, plus current state mileage rate for round-trip mileage.
For locations 60-100 miles of Lakefield: $100, plus or current state mileage rate for round-trip mileage.
Ecology Bus programs are also available for outdoor field trip classes. Separate fee applies for bus programs.
Please contact Alisha at the PEBC office for further information.
Programs with an asterisk (*) behind the title may have an extra materials supply charge for activities/crafts, require an outdoor space or gymnasium, need a park/natural area setting or other specific requirement. Simultaneous or consecutive programs on same day will only have one mileage rate applied. Simultaneous programs not always available.
For questions or to book a program please contact Alisha Paplow at PEBC phone 507-662-5064 or Alisha@ecologybus.org.
Program offerings for fall/winter:
**Please note it is required that a teachers/paras/parent/caregiver be in the room during programs.
Duck, Duck, Gray Duck (Pre-K - Kindergarten)
PEBC isn’t just for the birds, it's for all budding birders! Come hatch an egg, explore feathers, and learn to sing like a bird in this fun class all about the birds of Minnesota!
Animal Super Skills (K-2nd grades)
Super strength? Leaping over tall buildings? Invisibility? All powers of our favorite superheroes! But animals can have superpowers too! Learn about the supers of the animal world and test out your super skills as well.
Becoming Nature (K-2nd grades)
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a tree? Or a bird? What about a river? In this program you will experience life from the point of view of nature and become part of our ecosystem.
Minecraft Ecosystems (3rd-5th grades)
Explore the world of Minecraft in real world ecosystems. Explore new areas, talk to leading scientists, and even build your own ecosystem! No computers or tablets needed.
Lost in the Woods (3-5th grades)
Do you know how to find North? I’ll give you a hint, it's not the moss on the trees! Join PEBC to learn all about finding your way around the world with a compass and a map. You may even find some buried treasure!
Snowshoeing
Winter is an awesome time to explore the outdoors and see who our wild neighbors are! With the help of a PEBC naturalist, you'll learn about which animals stay busy in Minnesota all winter long and how to find them! We'll learn how to track animals using our senses and go on a snowshoe trek to see who is living nearby. Participants should dress for the weather and be prepared for fun! Classes should ideally take place in a park or nature preserve, although in some instances we can make a school yard work – but is always much more fun to animal track where there are lots of trees and shrubs that create animal habitats. We provide the snowshoes (up to 30 pairs). Participants should come with snow boots (not tennis shoes or rubber boots), snow pants, if they have them, hats and gloves and otherwise dressed appropriately for being outside in the winter. Programs can run 2 – 3 hours. Snowshoe program rate: $250, plus round trip mileage.
Prairie Planetarium
Is it a bit too chilly for you to go gazing at the night sky? Come stargaze with us! Learn about winter constellations and the stars above, minus the cold weather.
Program Rate:
$200 for the first program, $150 for each additional program. Plus round trip mileage at current state mileage.
The Planetarium is an inflatable dome and has a few room requirements:
- There must be 14 feet or higher ceiling clearance so sprinkler heads, smoke detectors and light fixtures will not be compromised.
- Minimum room dimensions must be 22’ x 22’ to allow for a safe emergency egress of three feet around the entire planetarium.
- Two grounded 120-volt standard electrical outlets on separate circuits are required to power the dome. We may need to run extension cords across the floor.
- The Prairie Planetarium can only be set up indoors.
- Equipment arrives in heavy, wheeled cases. A ramp, large elevator or level entry is required - no stairs.
- Staff will need a 10 minute break between each session to reset the theater.