Field Trips
The Kreher Preserve & Nature Center School Program provides a diverse array of nature-based curricula for visiting school groups. Individual classes can be adjusted to between 40 and 90 minutes each and customized for the children’s age and school curriculum. Classes can be scheduled individually or combined to create custom half-day or full day programs. General topic areas include the list below and for further detail, download an outline of the KPNC School Program Descriptions.
- Zoology
- Botany
- Geology
- Focus Species
- The World Around Us
The preserve is a 120-acre living classroom, offering students a valuable multi-sensory experience with abundant opportunities for hands-on learning and features:
- Conservation and wildlife viewing areas
- Teaching gardens and demo sites
- Live animal collections and exhibits
- Hiking trails and interpretive stations
- Stream, pond, and wetland areas with boardwalks
Facilities available to students include:
- Several outdoor field classrooms
- Covered pavilion
- 150-seat open-air amphitheater
- Shaded nature playground
- Handicap accessible restrooms
- Drinking fountains
The nature playground is a unique play space which offers children a rich, naturalistic experience complete with mounds, ditches, logs, tunnels, fallen trees, boulders, and some creative structures including a beaver lodge, tree house, and eagles nest. The nature playground is conveniently located to allow the children time for free play before returning to school.
School groups are invited to bring their own bag lunches to eat after the program. Class fees are $5/child and includes all materials.
Download a KPNC School Program brochure to share with staff and faculty. Programs are also suitable for home school groups. To learn more, please download a copy of the KPNC Home School Program brochure.
Mobile Critter Caravan
Schools may also request the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center Critter Caravan to provide teacher/naturalist-led educational programs and live animal encounters within the student’s classroom. This service is available to schools located within a 20-mile radius of the KPNC. Cost is $2.00 per child with a minimum of 75 students or $150 fee. Special rates apply for more elaborate programs, larger groups of more than 100 children, and schools located outside of the Auburn/Opelika communities.
For more information about environmental education initiatives or to schedule a school visit or program, contact us at (334) 844-8091 or natureeducation@auburn.edu.
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