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2009-10 School Programs


Overnight & Extended Day Programs

Click on site name below for program listings:
Themed Overnights
Overnights with Ashland Nature Center
Overnights with Abbott's Mill Nature Center
Extended-Day Programs at Ashland Nature Center and Abbott's Mill Nature Center


Why choose an Overnight?
Immerse your students in science and discovery. Overnights with the Delaware Nature Society are a great kickoff or culminating activity for your students. Overnight programs include hands-on field studies led by experienced naturalists. Choose programs from our list of field studies or ask us about custom designed programs to suit your needs. Or check out our themed overnights for programs organized to address life cycles, ecosystems and watersheds units. Programs can be a catalyst for learning long after the trip is over. Students and parents will enjoy the fun and adventure of toasting marshmallows, discovering wildlife, and night hiking. Overnights are an experience you and your students will always remember! Reservations are accepted year-round and scholarships are available.

What your students will do during an overnight:
Overnight schedules are set in consultation with what will work best for your group, and will vary with age of students, class size, program choices and the seasons. Each overnight includes hands-on, field-based programs selected from our list of field studies, morning and evening hikes through a variety of habitats, a choice of evening program, a campfire, and tee-shirt craft. Time is reserved for teachers to plan crafts/songs/journals/games.

Themed Overnights
Create an overnight with programs based on your curriculum and grade level. Select from our Field Studies, or talk to staff about developing a program to meet your needs. Examples include:

Reptiles and Amphibians (ideal for 4th grade)
Cycle of Life
Aquatic Habitats
Reptile and Amphibian Workshop
Evening Reptile Quiz Show and Hike

Ecosystems (ideal for 5th grade)
Forest and Field Exploration
Pond Study
Stream Ecology

Watersheds and Water Quality (ideal for 7th grade)
Watersheds and Stream Quality
Pond Study
Stream Ecology

Coverdale Farm Preserve Overnight Programs for all grades (Ashland/Coverdale only)
Food system education
Farm life cycles of soil, plants and animals
Nutrition and healthy eating programs

A Typical Overnight Schedule:

Day One
9:30 am - Arrival and Orientation
10:00 am -12:00 pm - "Forest & Field" field lesson
12:00-1:30 pm - Lunch/Rest/Teacher-directed time
1:30-3:30 pm - "Pond Ecology" field lesson
3:30-5:30 pm - Teacher-directed activities
5:30-6:30 pm - Dinner
6:30-7:30 pm - Evening Live Animal Program
7:30-9:00 pm - Night Hike /Tee-shirt craft
9:00-9:45 pm - Campfire

Day Two
7:00 am Wake up
7:30-8:30 am - Morning Hike
8:30-9:30 am - Breakfast
9:30-11:30 am - - "Stream Ecology" field lesson
11:30 am-12:30 pm - Lunch & Clean up
12:30-1:00 pm - Wrap up/Evaluation
1:15 pm - Departure

Note: Schedule uses Ecosystems overnight as an example

Overnights with Ashland Nature Center
You will stay at the Ashland Nature Lodge overlooking beautiful Red Clay Valley near Hockessin, DE.

Amenities include:
  • Science laboratory, 30 microscopes + video microscope
  • Two dormitories with bunk beds, accommodating up to 72 people
  • Great Room with fireplace, TV, DVD/VCR, seating for 80,
  • Panoramic view
  • Restrooms with showers
  • Modern kitchen, all appliances and cooking/eating utensils provided
  • Electrical generator to ensure comfort and safety
Reservations are accepted year-round -
scholarships available
Cost: $35/student from April-December, $20/student from January-March.
Contact: Judy Montgomery, School Overnight and Outreach Program Coordinator
at 302-239-2334, x127 or E-mail

Overnights with Abbott's Mill Nature Center
You will stay at the Redden State Forest Lodge near Georgetown, DE.

Amenities include:
  • Two dormitories, accommodating up to 40 people
  • Great Room
  • Restrooms with showers
  • Modern kitchen, all appliances and cooking/eating utensils provided
  • Electrical generator to ensure comfort and safety
  • Note: Available Monday-Thursdays only. Participants must bring their own sleeping bags and sleeping pads
Reservations are accepted year-round -
scholarships available
Cost: $25/student.
Contact: Jason Beale, Abbott's Mill Nature Center Mgr, at 302-422-0847 or E-mail

Extended-Day Programs at Ashland Nature Center and
Abbott's Mill Nature Center
Can't spend the night? Bring your class for a special day of field experiences! Extended Day schedules are set in consultation with what will work best for your group and will vary with age of students, class size, program choices and the seasons. Each Extended Day includes hands-on, field-based programs selected from our list of field studies and a choice between an evening hike and a campfire or a live animal presentation. Time is reserved for teachers to plan crafts/songs/journals/games, or ask to schedule an additional program. Groups generally arrive at 9:30 a.m. and stay up to 8:00 p.m.

Reservations accepted year-round
Cost: $20/student - scholarships available


For Extended Day scheduling at Ashland Nature Center, contact Judy Montgomery, School Overnight and Outreach Program Coordinator
302-239-2334, x127 or E-mail

For Extended Day scheduling at the Abbott's Mill Nature Center, contact Jason Beale, Abbott's Mill Nature Center Manager
302-422-0847 or E-mail

Typical Extended Day schedule (Note:Note: Schedule uses the Ecosystems curriculum as an example)
9:30 am Arrival and Orientation
10:00 am-12:00 pm "Forest & Field" field lesson
12:00-1:30 pm Lunch
1:30-3:30 pm "Pond Ecology" field lesson
3:30-5:30 pm Teacher-directed activities
5:30-6:30 pm Dinner
6:30-7:45 pm Choice of Evening Hike/Campfire or Live Animal Program
8:00 pm Parents arrive for pick up



(c) 2009 Delaware Nature Society, PO Box 700, Hockessin, DE 19707 (302) 239-2334             E-mail Us!