Boone County Conservation District

603 North Appleton Rd.

Belvidere, IL 61008

 Phone: 815-547-7935

Fax: 815-547-7939

 

Website:

www.BooneCountyConservationDistrict.org

 

 

 

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”

 

- Oliver Wendell Holmes

 

 

 

Boone County Conservation District Fee Schedule***

 

 

1st through 5th grade school program at BCCD

            In Boone County….$1.00 per student (no charge for adults)

            Out of County……$2.00 per student plus $20.00 out of District fee                                                (no charge for adults)

Autumn Pioneer Festival School Day

            3rd - 5th grades….No charge

High School groups at BCCD

            In Boone County….No charge

            Out of County…….$20.00

In School Programs

            In Boone County….No charge

            Out of County……$20.00

Preschool groups

            In Boone County….No charge for 1 to 1.5 hour program

            Out of County……$1.00 per student

Public Presentations to Organized Groups

            No charge

***Please note that prices may be subject to change without notice.***

 

 

The Boone County Conservation District has been hosting quality education programming since it’s founding in 1964. As education being one of the three tenets in the District’s mission, the staff takes great pride in developing educational programming that suits the needs for the Boone County community, as well as for our surrounding neighbors. The Boone County Conservation District holds educational programming (ranging from living history to the natural sciences) on site for many of its programs. The education staff can also offer science programs and presentations at schools to tailor certain teacher-requested programs. Staff will send out program flyers to area schools regarding the upcoming programs. Registration times will be listed on the flyers.     

First Grade -

“Magic of Winter”

Mid January through February

BCCD Administration Center

In this program students become scientists and explorers as they learn what makes winter unique. The morning is spent learning about weather, measuring temperature and wind speed and playing some games. Over the lunch period students have the opportunity to explore the Nature Center. In the afternoon students learn what different animals do in the winter and the signs they leave, before venturing out to investigate. Each student receives a journal in which to record the day’s adventures. Half day programs are available.

 

Second Grade -

“Springtime in Spencer”

April through May

Spencer Conservation Area

Students become explorers for a day as they learn the differences between mammals and birds, reptiles and amphibians, and insects and arachnids. After becoming an “expert” in these animal groups we head outside to find as many of them, or at least as much evidence as we can, while hiking and playing games through woods, wetlands and prairie. Students also make a craft representative of one of the described animal groups. 

 

3rd Grade - “Habitats are Homes”

April through May

Spencer Conservation Area

For this program students learn what components make up a habitat and how important each component is. Scavenger hunts and games help to focus students on each of our four habitats—woods, wetlands, prairie and dead logs - as well as how human activity impacts habitat quality. After lunch we make a habitat-related craft and do some more exploring.

 

Fourth Grade - “Living History”

October through November

BCCD Administration Center & Festival Grounds

Fur Traders (1700s) Students learn about the Voyageurs, or French fur traders, the Native Americans and how the two groups interacted. Over the course of the day students will prepare their lunch, which is cooked over an open fire, tour a Potawatomi village, practice Voyageur skills, like throwing a tomahawk and running a bale-portaging relay, play a trading game and make a period craft.

Pioneers (1800s) This is a living history program in which students travel back to the 1830s. They will learn about the pioneers, why they came West and the pioneer lifestyle. During this program students will help prepare their lunch to be cooked on an open fire, explore an authentic 1830s cabin and homestead, learn about pioneer recreation hands-on by throwing the tomahawk and playing with pioneer toys, do chores and make their very own pioneer craft.

Fifth Grade- “Populations &

Ecosystems”

October through November

Spencer Conservation Area

Fifth graders become ecologists for the day and discover the ecosystems in Boone County. This program focuses on ecosystems, population change, food chains and food webs. They will get to explore prairie, forest and wetland ecosystems and participate in hands-on games and activities.

 

Other Education

Programming

The BCCD’s Education Department can offer other programming aside from the classes listed. Educators or other interested groups that wish to have a program may contact the Boone County Conservation District. The education staff also offers Girl/Boy Scout merit badges. For more information or to set up a program please call the Boone County Conservation District. We look forward to hosting your class!

 

Boone County Conservation District Mission

To preserve and manage natural areas and open spaces for ecological, educational and recreational benefit for present and future generations.

 

“Let your walks be a little more adventurous.”

 - Henry David Thoreau

“It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves.” 

- André Gide

“You can discover more in an hour of play than you can in a lifetime of conversation.”

 - Unknown

“Now I see the secret of making the best persons, it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth.”

- Walt Whitman