Students learn first-hand about pioneer life in The Grove’s circa 1850s log cabin. Activities may include grinding corn, chopping apples and drawing water from the well to wash clothes. Older students use antique tools to saw wood and drill holes. This program includes an introduction to cabin construction techniques with a model set of giant “Lincoln Logs.” Old time fun is included with pioneer toys and games and each student will make a tin-punch craft to take home.

Grade Level: 1-6
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Min/Max: 12/30
Availability: Year round

A shorter version of our Log Cabin program geared to a younger audience. This charming program introduces students to pioneer family life and features hands-on activities inside and outside our circa 1850s log cabin.

Grade Level: pre K-1
Program Length: 1 hour
Min/Max: 12/30
Availability: Year round

Students take part in hands-on activities in our own replica of a Native American longhouse. The Potawatomi Indians used The Grove environs prior to the arrival of the Kennicott family. This unique program explores how this group of people lived and impacted the land, and looks closely at their culture and heritage. Topics include the importance of communal living, procurement and processing of foods and medicine, tool use, singing and dancing, handiwork and games.

Grade Level: 2-6
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Min/Max: 12/30
Availability: Year round

A shorter version of our Native North Americans program geared to a younger audience. This delightful program introduces students to Native American family life and features hands-on activities inside and outside our Native American longhouse.

Grade Level: pre K-1
Program Length: 1 hour
Min/Max: 12/30
Availability: Year round

Take a “walk through time” to explore the changes in population and land usage in our area and specifically at The Grove. Students will learn about the Potawatomi Indians, early Illinois settlers, farmers of yesteryear, and people of today through visits to our Native American longhouse, log cabin, Kennicott House and Milwaukee plank road. Artifacts and activities will illustrate how different groups lived and changed the land over the ages.

Grade Level: 2-4
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Min/Max: 12/30
Availability: Year round

Students travel back in time to a school day in 1856 at The Grove’s reconstructed one room schoolhouse. A costumed schoolmarm or schoolmaster leads “scholars” through geography, history, spelling and math lessons. Activities may include reading from McGuffey Readers, writing on slate boards and using quill pens. Recess in the schoolyard features pioneer toys and old time games.

Grade Level: 2-8
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Min/Max: 12/30
Availability: Year round

Westward Ho! What items were necessary for a family to go west to settle a new homestead? Students will learn about life in the 1800s and the reasons for westward expansion. Math, logic and problem solving skills will be utilized to determine what will be taken on the journey and what will be left behind. Students will actually pack their supplies into our covered wagon as they learn some of the hardships the pioneers faced during their migration.

Grade Level: 4-6
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Min/Max: 12/30
Availability: Fall or spring

In historic Kennicott House, students get a chance to prepare lunch over a wood burning stove, including vegetable and beef stews, applesauce and cornbread with hand-churned butter. Family life of that era is explored through hands-on activities such as weaving, rope making, tin punching, and candle dipping. Food is supplied by each visiting class. Supply list is included with confirmation.

Grade Level: 5-8
Program Length:  3-4 hours
Min/Max: 12/30
Availability: Year round

This program takes place in the historic Kennicott House. Emphasis is on the Kennicott family, the first pioneer settlers of The Grove, and their contributions to natural science, medicine, education and agriculture. Family life is explored through hands-on activities such as weaving, rope making, tin punching and candle dipping.

Grade Level: 5-8
Program Length:  2 hours
Min/Max: 12/30
Availability: Year round

Students delight in this opportunity to observe nature and explore the world around them. A guided walk through the woods will focus on plants, animals and the change of seasons. A visit to The Grove’s Interpretive Center includes an up-close experience with our animals and hands-on activities with natural artifacts. Many classes come for this program once in the fall and again in the spring to compare and contrast seasonal differences.

Grade Level: pre K-1
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Min/Max: 12/30
Availability: Fall and/or spring

Countless animals and plants make The Grove their home. This program introduces students to the basic needs of all living things and how a habitat meets these needs. An overview of the cycles of life includes seasonal changes, day vs. night and plant and animal life cycles. A guided trail walk explores woodland, wetland and prairie habitats and a close look at soil creatures allows the class to investigate a fascinating world of life just below their feet.

Grade Level: 1-4
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Min/Max: 12/30
Availability: Fall or spring

In this program, students take a close look at our furred and feathered friends to learn about adaptations for survival. First we explore the world of birds to discover beak and foot diversity and the unique characteristics of feathers. Then hands-on activities with mammal artifacts include investigating fur types, as well as carnivore, herbivore and omnivore skulls. A tracking activity and trail walk are included.

Grade Level: 2-6
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Min/Max: 12/30
Availability: Year round

The Grove’s natural areas are a haven for wildlife and native plants. In this program, students learn about the dynamics of various ecosystems and look closely at one of the many wetlands on the site. Field investigation includes collection of water samples and wetland organisms to observe more closely in the science classroom. Here, students use magnifying glasses, field guides and a dissecting microscope and record their observations of the rich wetland ecosystem.

Grade Level: 3-8
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Min/Max: 12/30
Availability: Early fall or late spring

What forces have shaped the earth we live on? Students learn the basic concepts of geology including land formation, plate tectonics and soil make-up. Hands-on activities include rock, mineral and fossil investigation and a demonstration using a real frozen “glacier.” A guided trail walk focuses on some unique geologic features of The Grove, which sits atop the Park Ridge Moraine.

Grade Level: 3-8
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Min/Max: 12/30
Availability: Year round

A mystery needs to be solved at The Grove – and your students are the detectives on the case! We’ll use forensic problem solving skills to gather clues, examine evidence, and draw conclusions about predator/prey relationships to solve the crime. Hands-on activities include owl pellet dissection and artifact examination.

Grade Level: 4-8
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Min/Max: 12/30
Availability: Year round

Our outreach educational programs will visit your school for a one hour presentation led by our trained staff. Topics include animal ambassadors, Native Americans, and pioneer life.

Grade Level: pre K-adult
Program Length: 1 hour
Min/Max: 20/30
Availability: Year round

What better way to celebrate fall? This program features a hayride, festive games, a decorated tipi and a visit with the animals in our Interpretive Center. Refreshments are included and each student will select and bring home his very own pumpkin!

Grade Level: pre K-1
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Min/Max: 12/30 children and adults per time slot
Availability: Mid-October

You may have seen the farm before, but have you seen, smelled, heard, touched and tasted it? Through hands-on activities, games, and songs, our youngest visitors will use their five senses to explore the farm. They’ll meet animals, learn about chores, and discover some of the food the farm produces.

Grade Level: Pre-K – K
Program Length: 75 minutes
Min / Max: 10 / 60
Availability: Spring, Summer, Fall

In the 1920s, kids living on farms were expected to work, but they also had time to play. Explore local history during this fun, semi-customizable program. Kids can help out with farm chores, play games, explore the farmhouse, meet chickens, make butter, and more! This program is perfect for summer camps.

Grade Level: Pre-K – 12
Program Length: 75 minutes – 2 hours
Min / Max: 15 / 120
Availability: Spring, Summer, Fall

Let’s get a moo-ve on! There’s work to do! Learn about the different jobs people and animals have on the farm during this introduction to agriculture. Students will meet animals and take part in hands-on activities like grinding corn, feeding chickens, and making butter.

Grade Level: K – 2
Program Length: 90 minutes
Min / Max: 10 / 60
Availability: Spring, Summer, Fall

Cows, and horses, and chicks, oh my! Students will milk cows, groom horses, and collect eggs, all while exploring the historic and modern roles of livestock in our society.

Grade Level: 2 – 6
Program Length: 2 hours
Min / Max: 10 / 35
Availability: Spring and Fall

Step off the bus and back in time! During this immersive experience, students will learn what life was like on a 1920s farm. They’ll care for the farm animals and complete the daily domestic chores, including cooking their own lunch on a wood-burning stove.

Grade Level: 3 – 8
Program Length: 3 hours
Min / Max: 10 /25
Availability: Spring, Summer, Fall

On average, food travels about 1,500 miles before it ends up on our plates; but this hasn’t always been the case. By comparing modern food sources to those 100 years ago, students will learn the importance of being educated consumers and gain a greater appreciation for their food, all while meeting animals and getting their hands in the dirt.

Grade Level: 4 – 12
Program Length: 2 hours
Min / Max: 10 / 75
Availability: Spring and Fall

Let us bring the farm to you! Students will learn about agriculture as they transition through a variety of fun, informative stations. This program is semi-customizable to meet the needs of your school.

Grade Level: Pre-K – 8
Program Length: 45 minute segments
Min / Max: 30 / 80 per segment
Availability: Spring and Fall