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The Lake County Forest Preserve District offers expertly guided, hands-on school and scout programs throughout Lake County. In addition to field trips, we’ll also come to your school with our in-school programs.

Search for programs to meet your needs using the search box on the right, or browse our programs with the menu above.

Sign-up for our educator email list and stay informed about our programs year-round.

In addition to Ryerson Woods many programs are now available at Greenbelt Cultural Center.

Game plan for our school programs:

  • Address Illinois State Learning Standards
  • Customize to fit your needs
  • Offer hands-on learning
  • Feature experts, local historians and naturalists
  • Incorporate science, social studies, history and language arts
  • Design programs to fit your grade/age level
  • Offer convenient locations and schedules to minimize bus transport
  • Affordable programs

Featured Programs

  • Crane Chronicles program, photo by Chip Williams
    Crane Chronicles

    This unique multidisciplinary program takes a problem-based learning approach to combine science, social studies and language arts. Students investigating Lake County crane populations work in small groups at hands-on learning stations to prepare an angle on the story of natural and human history in Lake County. Students then prepare a "tweet" and facebook post for the forest preserves as a way to spark interest in their story. This program is held exclusively at our Greenbelt Cultural Center near Waukegan.

    4-12
    Greenbelt Cultural Center
    1.5 hours
    $68 ($95 out of county)
  • Woodpecker home
    Homes

    Take a hands-on look at different animals’ homes and learn that like people – animals use homes to provide shelter, safety and a good place to raise a family. Then it’s into the woods to search for burrows, nests, holes and more.

    Save 25% on this program between December and February, during school hours.

    This program is primarily offered at Ryerson Woods and Greenbelt. It is also offered at the following locations on the dates specified:

    Age 3-Grade 2
    Grant Woods
    Greenbelt
    Lakewood
    Ryerson Woods
    Van Patten Woods
    Sept-Feb, Apr-early Jun at Ryerson Woods. For availability at other sites, see listings above.
    Age 3: 30 minutes, Age 4: 45 minutes, Grades K-2: 1 hour
    Age 3: $30 ($40 out of county), Age 4-Grade 2: $38 ($76 out of county)