Looking for an educational outing for your home school group? Spring Valley is the perfect place for hands-on exploration and science-based programs.
Junior Naturalist Club
Our weekly Junior Naturalist Club is ideal for homeschool families. We’ll hike, play outdoors, explore, garden, participate in conservation projects and learn about new nature topics each week! Click here to register and learn more.
For more information about programs and pricing, or to schedule a program, call 847-985-2100.
Seasonal Programs at the Nature Center
Fall (September-November)
- Creek Walk - Prepare to get your feet wet as you join a naturalist on an adventure to see what lives in Spring Valley’s creeks. Participants should wear soft-soled shoes that can get wet and bring a towel to dry off afterward. Please note: this activity is best September through early October.
- Fall Bird Hike - Flock together with friends on a bird-watching adventure! We'll hit the trails using binoculars and field guides to identify and watch common birds while studying their behavior.
- Fall Camouflage Walk - Discover all about animals that use camouflage and why they do it. Then, search for hidden critters in the fall forest.
- Fall Insect Hike - The fall prairie is still buzzing with insects…but not for long! Insects will soon be preparing for their long winter nap. Grab a net and a bug box and get ready for a safari! We will hike the trails to catch and study insects. Please note: This activity is best September through early October.
- Fall Prairie Walk - Experience the textures, sounds, sights and smells of Spring Valley’s restored Illinois prairie. Participate in role-playing activities and learn how plants and animals survive in Illinois’ climate.
- Hooray for Herpetology - Acquaint yourself with Spring Valley’s resident animals. Meet our turtles, both aquatic and terrestrial, as well as our adult Bullfrog and tadpoles. Then hit the trails in search of wild reptiles and amphibians that call Spring Valley their home. Please note: This activity is best September through early October.
- Life Under Logs - Prepare to get messy, because we are turning over logs and diggin’ in the soil looking for critters that make their home just out of sight from our eyes!
- Pond Dip - Use a special net called a 'dip net' to uncover thousands of tiny water bugs that call Spring Valley's pond their home. Once we have discovered the little critters, we will use special magnifiers to help us identify what we have just uncovered. Please note: This activity is best September through early October.
Year-Round Programs at the Nature Center
- Animal Furs, Skulls and Scats - Get an up-close experience of Spring Valley’s animals by studying their real furs and skulls, and replicas of their scat.
- Conservation in Action - Help with our conservation efforts! Some time is devoted to explaining the importance of the particular activity and the rest on the activity itself. Projects might include collecting seeds, planting wildflowers or trees, clearing brush, or wood chipping.
- Nighttime Nature - Experience nature without the benefit of sight and use the rest of your senses on a walk at night. Please note: This activity takes place after sundown.
- Stars and Constellations - Calling all space cadets! Don't miss this opportunity to come spend an evening at Spring Valley exploring exciting and fascinating aspects of space. It really is a topic as broad as the universe. Please note: This activity takes place after sundown.
- Trailblazing (Orienteering) - Never be lost again! Improve your orienteering skills by learning the basics of using a compass. Then, hit Spring Valley's trails to test your newly learned skill on a scavenger hunt. Please note: This activity is best for groups with students ages 8y+.
Homeschool Programs at Heritage Farm
Call 847-985-2102 to customize your field trip visit to Heritage Farm.
