Get your Pre-K to 6^th grade students hands-on with nature at McCloud Nature Park in the fall or spring! You pick the topic (see below) and our naturalists pick activities to suit your students’ grade level(s).

Field trips may be scheduled for the morning (10 a.m.–noon) or afternoon (1 p.m.–3 p.m.). You must have 10–75 students to schedule a field trip. Teachers remain with their classes for the duration of the field trip; please bring at least one additional adult per class.

Most sessions are outside, so everyone should dress for the weather. Sessions are rain or shine, subject to teacher discretion. Buses should remain on-site if storms are predicted, as field trips will be canceled mid-program in the event of lightning or other hazardous weather conditions. Because of the limited space and fire code of the McCloud Nature Center, classes are unable to stay inside.

Due to the nature of programs in nature, we cannot guarantee that every student will have the exact same experience. But it will certainly give students something to talk about!

School field trips to McCloud Nature Park are completely FREE of charge for all Hendricks County schools (public, private, and homeschool). All field trips are subject to naturalist availability and weather conditions.

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Autumn 2023 Field Trip Topics 

Sensing Nature

Explore the marvels of nature through our senses. This program is designed to expand and encourage a child’s sense of wonder with hands-on activities. 

Grades: Pre-K to 1st

Seasonal Changes

Each season brings new discoveries to explore. Children will learn how seasonal changes affect all living things. 

Grades: Pre-K to 2

Creature Features

Children will learn that animals and plants all live in habitats that help them meet their specific needs and that all animals need food, water, shelter, and space in their habitat. We will observe how animals and plants look and act differently because they are uniquely adapted to live in their environments. 

Grades: K-3rd

Web of Life

This program takes a look at how animals use their adaptations to survive in their habitats, how energy flows through the food chains and food webs, and how all living things are connected. 

Grades 3rd-6th