Pre-K & Kindergarten

Pre-K programs are designed for students ages five and up.

Registration & Fee Information

TREES: IN A NUTSHELL

1.25 hours

120 students maximum

Nature detectives hit the trail to uncover the life cycle of trees. Our discovery starts with a story followed by investigations into seeds, saplings, adult trees, and fallen logs. Connections are made between fallen logs and soil production to bring the amazing cycle full circle. Students will find out all about the life cycle of a tree through games, activities, and investigation.

Potential to address the following IL Learning Standards / Key Concepts:

11A - Scientific Inquiry

12A - Life Cycles

12B - Habitats

12B - Food Webs / Interactions

12E - Natural Cycles

IT'S SPRING!

1.25 hours

120 students maximum

With each season many changes occur in nature. Students explore the Arboretum grounds with a guide to discover seasonal changes in plants and animals, such as flowers blooming, the return of birds building nests and the reappearance of insects.

Potential to address the following IL Learning Standards / Key Concepts:

11A - Scientific Inquiry

12A - Life Cycles

12A/12B - Adaptations

12E - Natural Cycles

LEAVE NO CHILD INSIDE

1.25 hours

200 students maximum

A growing body of research is telling us that unstructured time spent outdoors in nature is critical to children's physical, social, and emotional development. Such outdoor experiences can foster creativity, emotional well-being, independent learning, and problem solving. The beauty of the Arboretum changes daily, and your students will have an opportunity to explore whatever is most interesting on the day of your visit. One of our guides can be on hand to answer questions and guide students to exciting observations, but the focus is on free exploration of nature.
(This program is not meant to address any specific IL Learning Standards.)