Thank you for considering arranging a visit to Severson Dells! We work closely with state learning standards and YOUR needs in your curriculum to make this day an educational but fun experience for your students. Keep reading to find information pertaining to your possible visit. Please give us a call if you should have more questions or would like to sign your class up for a visit. (815-335-2915)
Payment: An $8.00 per student fee is what we charge for a visit up to 5 hours long.(4 1/2 hours, Dec-March) $4.00 is charged for a visit of under two hours. Payment is due the day of the visit. Make checks payable to Severson Dells.
Appropriate Dress: It is important that students dress for the weather. When properly prepared, students can enjoy nature in any weather and we won’t have to return early from our hike. Have students bring raincoats and hats if precipitation is in the forecast. We still try to carry through with outside activities in light rain (non-threatening weather). If you are visiting in cold weather make sure all students have mittens, warm hats that cover the ears and water-resistant shoes that are big enough to accommodate two pairs of socks. Mittens are better than gloves, and two pairs are better than one. When the weather is uncertain have students dress in layers.
Chaperones: For safety reasons we must require that you provide one adult for about every ten students. If this is a problem please let us know as soon as possible. We may have to modify the activities if there are not enough adults. There is no charge for teachers or chaperones.
Name Tags: Please have name tags for the students. We like to try to get to know the students even though it is a short visit. Also, name tags help us draw students into an activity on a personal level with the least amount of disruption to the activity.
Lunches: If you are staying for lunch it is most convenient to have all lunches together in boxes or baskets that are easily carried. Recycling and reusing are encouraged at Severson Dells. We can provide you information on our “low waste lunch” program. We do not have vending machines, so a student without a lunch is a hungry student.
Bookstore: The Severson Dells Education Center has a bookstore, which contains books on natural history, and various other nature related items. Our experience suggests that providing time for students to make purchases means less time for program activities, and we recommend that time not be allotted for such during your visit. However, if you desire that your students have the opportunity to make purchases, please let us know before your visit, so we can schedule for it.
EXAMPLES OF TOPICS FOR STUDY DURING FIELD TRIPS
| Animals | Plants |
| Identification & Classification | Identification & Classification |
| Life Cycles | Life Cycles |
| Behavior | Seeds & Seed Dispersal |
| Tracks & Signs | Seasonal Changes |
| Seasonal Changes | Adaptations |
| Adaptations | Photosynthesis |
| Insects | Trees |
| Birds | Wildflowers |
| A specific group of animals | Native vs. Non-native Species |
| PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGY | ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES |
| Interdependence | Habitat Preservation |
| Natural Cycles (water, energy, etc.) | |
| Food Chains | Endangered Species |
| Outdoor Ethics | |
| Succession |