Hendricks County Parks and Recreation has developed numerous cultural and natural education opportunities for students of all ages.  Each program focuses on experiential learning so that students may develop a conceptual understanding and appreciation for ecological factors native to central Indiana. 

The ideal format for these unique learning opportunities is to have classes schedule field trips at the park.  However, in the event schools cannot arrange field trips, Hendricks County Parks and Recreation can bring programs into the classroom. All of these wonderful learning opportunities are FREE.  Contact the Park Naturalist at (765) 676-5437 or at mccloudnp@hcparks.net to schedule a program for your class!

Educational programs at the park have been designed to meet Indiana Academic Standards.  Scheduled activities are intended to last approximately two hours and are limited to 75 students.  There are no fees for field trips to the park; however programs are subject to availability. 

Aquatic Ecology
At McCloud Nature Park, the Big Walnut Creek and other ponds contain a fascinating array of aquatic creatures. This program provides participants with the opportunity to discover these inhabitants first-hand, and to find out how their presence relates to a healthy ecosystem. Water shoes are recommended. (Grades 2-8)
Meets Indiana Academic Standards for Science: 2.1.4  4.3.2  5.3.1  6.3.1  6.3.2

Orienteering
A simple compass is an ancient but useful tool even in our modern computer age. In this program students will learn how early Indiana explorers relied on the compass and other directional methods, how to effectively use a compass, and then take part in one of McCloud Nature Park’s new orienteering courses. (Grades 4-8)
Meets Indiana Academic Standards for Math: 4MD-5a  5NBT-3-4  7G-1

Tree Transformation
As the seasons change, we see a remarkable transformation in the appearance of our forests in Indiana. Learn about the changes that occur in our trees as the seasons pass and gain a better understanding of why these changes take place. We will learn what causes the color changes in leaves and why the trees shed their leaves for the winter and discuss the different parts of a tree and how they grow over time. Students will also learn how we classify and identify trees using simple guides and a dichotomous key. We will take a short hike and identify some of the trees along the park trails. (Grades K-8)
Meets Indiana Academic Standards for Science:  k.1.1   k.1.2.  k.2.3   k.3.1  k.3.3  1.1.1  1.3.1  1.3.3  1.3.5  2.3.1  2.3.2  3.3.1  4.3.2  4.3.4  5.3.1  6.3.4

Wild Ecology
Join us as we learn what ecology is and how organisms are often reliant on specific biotic and abiotic factors in order to be successful in a particular ecosystem. We will learn about the biosphere and the different portions of the biosphere and how many of the organisms present in Indiana are adapted to particular habitats within McCloud Nature Park. Students will take a naturalist led hike as we seek out living things, non-living things, and signs of human presence along our scavenger hunt on some of the Park’s scenic trails. (Grades 2-8)
Meets Indiana Academic Standards for Science: 2.1.4  3.3.1  4.2.2  4.2.6  4.3.4  5.3.1  6.3.1  6.3.2  6.3.3

Parkeology
McCloud Nature Park offers a wonderful network of trails through a diversity of habitats. This naturalist-led hike guides participants through some of the most scenic sections of the park while discovering local ecologic and geologic features. This tour will also feature some of the seasonal plant and animal attractions that are present at the time of your tour. (Grades K-8)
Meets Indiana Academic Standards for Science: k.1.1  k.2.3  1.1.1  1.3.1  1.3.4  1.3.5  1.4.2  2.1.4  3.3.1  4.2.2  5.3.1  6.3.1  6.3.2  7.2.7

Incredible Insects
Insects play a fascinating and vital role in the world’s ecosystems. In this program, students will be introduced to the world of insect ecology and discover what they mean to Indiana through a series of activities and capture & observation. Students will learn the basic characteristics of the insect group as well as some of the specialized adaptations that make them such a successful group of organisms. (Grades K-8)
Meets Indiana Academic Standards for Science: k.1.1  k.1.2  k.3.1  k.3.2  k.3.3  1.1.1  1.3.1  1.3.4  1.3.5  2.1.4  4.3.2  6.3.1  6.3.2  8.3.6

Birds of McCloud
The diverse habitats of McCloud Nature Park provide an ideal location for a great number of bird species, both local and migratory. This program provides participants with the opportunity to learn basic avian ecology through experiments and activities, and observe birds in their natural environment. Students will also discover how  many species of birds have specialized beaks and feet which are suited to the environment in which they live. (Grades K-8)
Meets Indiana Academic Standards for Science: k.1.1.k.1.2  k.3.1  k.3.2  1.1.1  1.3.1  1.3.4  1.3.5  1.4.1  2.1.4  4.3.2  5.3.1  6.3.1  6.3.2  8.3.6

*Special Program!*
Maple Syruping at McCloud (February29, March1-2 & 7-9)
Join us for this seasonal activity and learn how maple sap is collected and transformed into a sugary treat! The program focuses on the history of making maple syrup from the techniques utilized by the Native Americans to the early settlers and all the way through to some of the modern techniques which are used commercially today. Learn to identify maple trees and why this tree is suited to making syrup and not some others. See the wood fired evaporator in action as we cook down the sap before your very eyes! For home-school groups or smaller school groups, consider visiting March3-4 or March 10-11 during our public program sessions for the same great program without having to schedule. (grades K-8)
Meets Indiana Academic Standards for Science: k.1.1  k.3.1  k.3.3  1.1.3  1.4.1  2.2.5  3.2.5  3.3.1  4.1.2  5.1.4  6.1.2  7.1.2  7.4.1  8.1.6  8.4.1

Although field trips to the park provide optimal learning experiences, Hendricks County Parks and Recreation is happy to take the programs to your classroom! Outreach programs are held November - February. These programs are designed to provide hands-on experiences and classes are taught on an individual basis, classes should not be combined to ensure each student has an opportunity to interact with the learning material.

A minimum of four classes per school scheduled to receive the program are required for an outreach program to be held. Below is a list of the topics being covered thorough the Hendricks County Parks Environmental Education Outreach program this winter:

November: White-tail Deer
The program will focus on the life cycle of the white-tailed deer and how their numbers have rebounded in the last few decades. This animal is a classic example of how human activities can have extreme effects on a population of organisms and how the capture and relocation methods which were utilized by Indiana have been extremely successful in repopulating the species in our state.
Meets Indiana Academic Standards for Science: k.1.1  k.3.2  1.1.1  1.3.1  1.3.4  1.3.5  2.3.2  3.2.5  5.3.1  6.3.1. 6.3.2  8.2.8  8.3.8  8.3.9

December: Bats of Indiana
In December, we will focus on the bat species which are common to Indiana and their life cycle which often includes migration and hibernation during the winter months. We will also discuss the latest threat to many of our bats as the White- Nose Syndrome continues to put many of our Indiana bat species at risk.
Meets Indiana Academic Standards for Science: k.1.1  k.1.2  k.3.2  1.1.1  1.3.1  1.3.3  2.3.2  4.3.2  4.3.4 5.3.1  6.3.3  8.2.6  8.3.6

January: Owls of Indiana
This program will focus on the species of owls which are commonly found in Indiana as well as the specialized adaptations that make them such an effective night time predator. We will discuss the life cycle of these magnificent creatures and how they are so important to the ecology of Indiana.
Meets Indiana Academic Standards for Science: k.1.1  k.1.2  k.3.2  1.3.1  1.3.4  1.3.5 2.3.2  4.3.2  5.3.1  6.3.5  8.2.6

February: Hibernation
Our February program will focus on the species of animals that hibernate through the winter months in Indiana. We will discuss the changes in lifestyle as well as the biological adaptations that must be present in order for such a radical lifestyle modification to be possible.
Meets Indiana Academic Standards for Science: k.1.1  k.2.3  k.3.2  1.3.1  1.4.2  2.2.5  2.3.1  2.3.2  3.2.5  4.1.1  4.3.2  4.3.4  5.3.1  6.2.5  6.3.1  6.3.3  6.3.5  8.3.8       

Outreach programs are popular and availability is limited. Teachers looking to schedule these programs should contact the Park Naturalist early. To schedule an outreach program or for questions, Please contact the Park Naturalist at mccloudnp@hcparks.net or at (765) 676-5437.