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Potomac Valley Audubon SocietyPotomac Valley Audubon Society
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Opportunities for Homeschoolers

Home EducationYouth ProgramsOpportunities for Homeschoolers

Homeschoolers: Explore the Wonders of Nature with Us!

We believe that the best way to learn about nature is to experience it—hands-on, full of curiosity, and unforgettable.Join us as we explore the wonders of the outdoors, where every leaf, stream, and whisper of the wind has a story to tell.

Bring your homeschooler or homeschool group to explore, play, and learn in the heart of nature. Twice a month on Wednesdays, homeschoolers have the opportunity to embark on these unique educational adventures—once at Yankauer Nature Preserve and Cool Spring Preserve. Whether you’re flying solo or coming with a group, there’s something special waiting for you on these dates—see below for more details!

Additionally, we offer Discovery Camp several times during the school year, giving kids even more chances to fall in love with the natural world.

Let’s make memories and spark a lifelong love for nature together!

Locations and Dates

Cool Spring Preserve

10 minutes south of Charles Town

1469 Lloyd Road

Learn More about the Preserve

AVAILABLE DATES

2024: September 4, October 2, November 6, December 4

2025: January 8, February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7

Yankauer Nature Preserve

Yankauer Preserve Bench

13 minutes from Shepherdstown, 17 minutes from Martinsburg

438 Whitings Neck Rd.

Learn More about the Preserve

AVAILABLE DATES

2024: September 18, October 16, November 20, December 11

2025: January 22, February 19, March 19, April 23, May 21

Schedule Options

Individuals and groups can build their own schedule from the options listed below!

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.   –   Turtle Time or Forest Storytime

The morning begins with free, drop-in programs.

At Cool Spring Preserve, you can join us for Turtle Time, where you can connect with the amazing animals at the Case Nature Center! Watch Willow the Wood turtle, Scute the Box turtle, and the rest of PVAS’s Animal Ambassadors as they munch their food and get exercise while a PVAS representative shares information about these wonderful creatures in our care.

Learn More

At Yankauer Nature Preserve, you can join us for Forest Storytime, where we’ll gather in the woods with a PVAS environmental educator who will guide us through a captivating tale that brings the wonders of nature to life. This will be followed by an engaging nature activity that will deepen our connection to the themes presented in the stories.

Learn More

10:45 a.m. – noon   –   Trail Trekkers

The morning continues with the option to sign up for Trail Trekkers! Accompanied by a PVAS naturalist, children, their caregivers, and anyone with a spirit of adventure will dive into the wonders of the great outdoors. Together, we’ll uncover the secrets of the seasons, using all our senses to explore and connect with the world around us. Let nature be your guide as we discover what’s out and about in the preserves with every change of the season. Get ready to be curious, be amazed, and let your inner explorer run wild!

$10/child and $10/adult who is not accompanying a child. (PVAS members receive a 10% discount). All ages are welcome, though youth must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. Adult caregivers may attend for free and without registering themselves. Registration is required for all others.

Beginning sometime between 11:00 and 12:30   –   Book a field trip program for your homeschool group!

  • Homeschool groups can book a field trip with PVAS! Field trips could begin at 11 a.m. (in which case a 30 minute lunch period will be built into your schedule) or later after Trail Trekkers.
  • Field trips are 3 – 3.5 hours
  • Options for adult caregivers during the field trip:
    • We require each group to have the same chaperone ratio as for all of our other school programs (ideally 1 chaperone for every 5-6 students or at the very minimum 1 per class). See our Chaperone Guide for expectations.
    • Other adult caregivers are welcome to spend time offsite or spend time in the Case Nature Center, where you can enjoy the company of other adults in your group, enjoy a cup of tea, and use our wifi.
  • For more information, visit our School Programs page.
Request a Program

Questions?

Contact our Education Team at YouthPrograms@PotomacAudubon.org

Get In Touch

Potomac Valley Audubon Society
P.O. Box 578
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
(681) 252-1387
Info@PotomacAudubon.org

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