Programs for Up to 30 Individuals

Exploring Your Watershed

1-Hour Program

Up to 30 Individuals, 2nd Grade+

Available April-October

Participants will explore the flow of water in a watershed using an EnviroScape Watershed Model and participate in a demonstration of how human activities affect water quality. Then, participants will head outside to learn the difference between permeable and impermeable surfaces, find potential sources of water pollution, and learn what can be done to keep our watershed healthy for everyone that depends on it. Content and vocabulary will be age-appropriate. For larger groups, see Pond Study and Exploring Your Watershed Program Combination below.

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Lenape Living

1-Hour Program

Up to 30 Individuals of All Ages

Available in All Seasons

Participants explore the lives of the Lenape people who have lived in Pennsylvania for over 600 years by learning about historic Lenape culture, practices, and daily activities; interacting with authentic and re-created props and tools; learning traditional methods of hunting and gathering, and play Native American games.

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Pond Study

1-Hour Program

Up to 30 Individuals of All Ages

Available April-October

See turtles lined up on a log, insects that can walk on water, and frogs hopping to hide! Using hand nets and magnifying lenses, participants will explore the natural wonders of the Briar Bush Pond. Content and vocabulary will be age-appropriate.

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Programs for Up to 50 Individuals

Live Animal Encounter

1-Hour Program

Up to 50 Individuals of All Ages

Available in All Seasons

Live animals and taxidermy mounts highlight this exciting hands-on experience. Participants learn what behaviors and adaptations are unique to each species, then touch and see the critters up close. Content and vocabulary will be age-appropriate. Choose from the following themes or request a theme! Content and vocabulary will be age-appropriate.

• General Animal Program

  • Allow the assigned experienced educator to choose the animal line-up for this exciting live animal presentation! 

• Eat Up!

  • From carnivores to herbivores and everything in between, animals eat all different kinds of food. In this program you'll meet animals with different diets and learn why eating things we may consider gross is deliciously good for that animal and the environment as well.

• Winter Survival

  • When it's cold outside, animals don't have mittens or hot chocolate to keep them warm. Instead, some sleep through the winter, some have thick fur to stay active, and others just pack up and leave! Learn all about how nature beats the cold in this cool program. 

• Reptiles are the Rage

  • They're cold-blooded, they're scaly, they're reptiles! This group of animals is one of the most fascinating and misunderstood on the planet. Get up close and personal with turtles, snakes, and lizards and find out what makes these critters s-s-spectacular and not so scary. 

• Native Pennsylvania Animals

  • You don't have to go to another country or even a zoo to see exciting animals; we have them right here in our own backyards! In this program, you'll meet animals from right here in Pennsylvania and learn why they are worthy of some hometown pride.

• What Are You Wearing?

  • From fur, to feathers, to scales, and more, animals have all different kinds of things that cover their bodies. Some coverings keep an animal warm, some help them to disappear, and some even help an animal be noticed. See a variety of animals and learn how what they wear helps them to survive!

• How Animals Move

  • They slither, crawl, hop, fly, and scurry. Each animal has its own unique way of moving. Watch Briar Bush's animals move in their own unique ways and then try doing some moving of your own!

• Fight or Flight: Animal Defenses

  • How would you protect yourself in a dangerous situation? Animals have a variety of ways that they protect themselves; some are familiar, some are gross, and some are downright bizarre! Learn about animal defenses from our not-so-dangerous animal ambassadors.

 

Seasonal Guided Hike

1-Hour Program

Up to 50 Individuals of All Ages

Available in All Seasons

Each season brings something new to Briar Bush. We offer seasonal hikes in which we can tailor the lesson to a group's interest. Join us for a guided hike relating to PA habitat, plants, vertebrates and invertebrates, and more! Content and vocabulary will be age-appropriate.

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Live Animal Encounter and Seasonal Guided Hike Combination

1-Hour or 1.5-Hour Program

Up to 50 Individuals of All Ages

Available in All Seasons

Our Live Animal Encounter and Seasonal Guided Hike Program is one of our most popular programs! Participants have the chance to get hands-on with their favorite resident critters and enjoy a hike along our always-changing trails. Content and vocabulary will be age-appropriate.

 

Pond Study and Live Animal Encounter Combination

1.5-Hour Program

Up to 50 Individuals of All Ages

Available April-October

See turtles lined up on a log, insects that can walk on water, and frogs hopping to hide! Using hand nets and magnifying lenses, participants will explore the natural wonders of the Briar Bush Pond AND have the chance to get hands-on with their favorite resident critters. Content and vocabulary will be age-appropriate.

 

Pond Study and Guided Seasonal Hike Combination

1.5-Hour Program

Up to 50 Individuals of All Ages

Available April-October

See turtles lined up on a log, insects that can walk on water, and frogs hopping to hide! Using hand nets and magnifying lenses, participants will explore the natural wonders of the Briar Bush Pond AND enjoy a hike along our always-changing trails. Content and vocabulary will be age-appropriate.

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Pond Study and Microscope Program Combination

1.5-Hour Program

Up to 50 Individuals, 2nd Grade+

Available April-October

See turtles lined up on a log, insects that can walk on water, and frogs hopping to hide! Using hand nets and magnifying lenses, participants will explore the natural wonders of the Briar Bush Pond AND get hands-on with microscopes to view the tiny living organisms that make pond life possible. Content and vocabulary will be age-appropriate.

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Pond Study and Exploring Your Watershed Program Combination

1.5-Hour Program

Up to 50 Individuals, 2nd Grade+

Available April-October

See turtles lined up on a log, insects that can walk on water, and frogs hopping to hide! Using hand nets and magnifying lenses, participants will explore the natural wonders of the Briar Bush Pond AND also explore the flow of water in a watershed using an EnviroScape Watershed Model as well as participate in a demonstration of how human activities affect water quality. Then, participants will head outside to learn the difference between permeable and impermeable surfaces, find potential sources of water pollution, and learn what can be done to keep our watershed healthy for everyone that depends on it. Content and vocabulary will be age-appropriate.

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Lenape Living and Seasonal Guided Hike Combination

1.5-Hour Program

Up to 50 Individuals of All Ages

Available in All Seasons

Participants explore the history of the native people who lived here in Pennsylvania. Students interact with authentic and re-created props and tools, learn traditional methods of hunting and gathering AND play Native American games and enjoy a hike along our always-changing trails.

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Programs for Up to 80 Individuals

Pond Study at Alverthorpe Park

1.5-Hour Program

Up to 80 Individuals; 2nd Grade+

Available April-October

See turtles lined up on a log, insects that can walk on water, and frogs hopping to hide! Using hand nets and magnifying lenses, participants will explore the natural wonders of the Alverthorpe Pond. Content and vocabulary will be age-appropriate.

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Custom Programs

1-Hour or 1.5-hour program

Number of Participants Dependent Upon Program

Availability Dependent Upon Program

Briar Bush Nature Center has the ability to create custom programs for specific groups who would like our lessons and programs tailored to their interests. Briar Bush has created custom programs for religious groups, libraries, colleges and universities, Scout groups, and more. Please call (215) 887-6603 to discuss your request with our Program and Guest Services Coordinator.

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