Homeschool Programs
Each year, Merry Lea hosts a homeschool series with 6 programs that cover a range of natural history and environmental topics on Merry Lea’s trails. Students spend significant time outdoors in Merry Lea’s wonderfully diverse landscapes and are grouped by age for trail explorations to provide age appropriate instruction.
Additionally, any of our standard field trips are available as a homeschool co-op program. Contact us for more information.
*Both our Homeschool and Jr/Teen IMN programs are for students only and are designed as drop-off programs. We do have public events that are available for the entire family to enjoy if desired.
#1: Autumn Adventures
Discover how animals and plants prepare for winter by observing evidence and using all five sense in the forests, meadows and wetlands at Merry Lea. Students will think like a woodchuck, scamper like a squirrel, compare seeds’ characteristics and more to experience how Indiana’s wildlife is adapted to survive winter.
Date: September 14
Location: Learning Center | 2388 S 500 W, Albion, IN 46701
Click here to register for session #1
#2: Fabulous Farm
Join us for an exploration of the Merry Lea Teaching Farm: a unique edible ecosystem where you can taste your way to a better understanding of humans, farm and habitat connections. Delve into soil ecosystems, search for pollinators at work and meet our animals living at the farm.
Date: October 12
Location: Farmstead | 2152 S 425 W, Albion, IN 46701
Click here to register for session #2
#3: Owl Pellet Palooza
Whooooo lives here? Uncover clues about the habitat in which owls live, explore common owls that call Indiana home, and deconstruct an owl’s diet by identifying bones and fur through an owl pellet dissection. Owl see you there!
Date: November 16
Location: Learning Center | 2388 S 500 W, Albion, IN 46701
Click here to register for session #3
#4: Winter Nature
Enjoy the wonders of winter! Students will explore how people, plants and animals cope with winter by using their senses in the wintery woods and meadows. Search for signs of life outdoors and discover survival strategies used by native plants and animals. Warm up inside while engaging in fun and educational winter-themed activities.
Date: January 18
Location: Learning Center | 2388 S 500 W, Albion, IN 46701
Click here to register for session #4
#5: Geology is Great
Dig into Northeastern Indiana’s rich geological history! Hike down an esker, move through layers of topsoil and glacial till to find a peat bog, explore and identify rocks in an abandoned gravel pit and use models to understand how glaciers have changed Indiana’s landscape.
Date: April 18
Location: Glacial Retreat Center | 1799 S 650 W, Kimmell, IN 46760
Click here to register for session #5
#6: Exploring Nature
Students explore seasons as spring wakes up around them! Get out on the trails and investigate adaptations, the diversity of life and ecosystem interactions. Dip for pond creatures, play concept-reinforcing games and experience spring in Indiana.
Date: May 16
Location: Learning Center | 2388 S 500 W, Albion, IN 46701
Program Details
Ages & Times
Ages: 6 – 8 years
Times: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
*Note: Students ages 9 – 17 may join our Junior and Teen Indiana Master Naturalist program.
Both our Homeschool and Jr/Teen IMN programs are for students only and are designed as drop-off programs. We do have public events that are available for the entire family to enjoy if desired.
Registration
Cost: $6/child for each program
Sign-ups: Students can register for one or all of the programs
Expectations for Participation & Conduct
We expect all students to demonstrate respect for fellow students and teachers at Merry Lea.
Outdoor education involves exposure to some natural hazards like trips and falls, insect bites and stings and irritating plants. Merry Lea educators try to minimize these risks. It is imperative that students listen to directions in order to maintain safety out on the trails and inside the facilities.
All offerings are aligned to Indiana Academic Standards, and are designed to support your student’s academic and outdoor learning. Please be sure to review our policies regarding scheduling, cancellation and program logistics on the registration page.