Program Add-Ons

Lacawac offers a variety of additional programs that can be added to enhance your field trip experience. These hands-on, interactive add-ons give students the chance to explore new skills, engage with nature, and connect with environmental and STEM concepts. Each program provides opportunities for curiosity, discovery, and personal growth, making the experience both fun and meaningful.

Additionally, multiple add-ons can be combined to create a unique, customized program tailored to your group’s interests and learning goals. Mixing and matching programs allows students to explore different aspects of nature, develop new skills, and engage with the environment in a variety of memorable ways.

Program Add-On Pricing

Lacawac’s program add-on prices are based on class sizes of 30 students (unless otherwise specified), with an additional $2 fee per student beyond this number (please note: teachers and chaperones attend free of charge). Program-specific prices can be found below alongside each program add-on description.

Add a Program to Your Visit

If you are interested in adding one of these additional activities to your field trip, please note that in the comments at the end of the digital program request form.

Explore Our Program Add-Ons

Magic Spots
Grades K-4 | 30 minutes | $15 per class of up to 30

Research overwhelmingly supports the positive effects of unstructured play and connections to nature. Children today are rarely given the opportunity to spend time alone, to discover, and observe the natural world on their own. During this program, students are given the opportunity to spend time “alone” in the forest to make observations. Each student chooses a “magic” spot to spend an age appropriate amount of time in which they first get the wiggles out, then the boredom before settling into a time of quiet observation. It truly is magical to observe students quietly engaged in nature observation.

Art & Nature
Grades 1-5 | 1 hour | $85 per class of up to 30

Put the A in STEAM! Grade appropriate activities are provided in which students use observation skills to create artwork using nature as a template. Topics to choose from include color, patterns, nature journaling, and Andrew Goldsworthy inspirations. Choose one or both depending on group size and time.

Team Building
Grades 3-12 | 1 hour | $85 per class of up to 30

Lacawac’s team building programs consist of a series of challenging outdoor problems designed to foster leadership, self-confidence, communication, and teamwork within the class/group. The program requires participation of all team members to plan and execute the solutions to physically and mentally stimulating tasks. Each group’s Team Building experience will be designed to suit the ages and abilities of the group. The focus of the program is on the process, so the number of activities completed may vary.

Fishing
Grades 4-12 | 1 hour | $85 per class of up to 30

Students will be instructed on the types of fish found in Pennsylvania, fish habitats, safety, equipment, outdoor manners, and protecting our water resources. Each participant will learn basic fishing skills and get to put those skills to use by learning to tie a fishing knot, practice casting, and try to catch a fish in Heron Pond.

Forest Bathing
Grades 4-12 | 1 hour | $30 per class of up to 30

A guided slow walk in the woods that focuses on a mind-body immersion practice of breathing in the forest. During this experience, students will be guided through observation and breathing techniques. Shinrin-Yoku, otherwise known as Forest Bathing. In the 1980s Japanese scientists began searching for ways to minimize all the negative impacts that urbanization was having on individuals and society as a whole. They discovered that a 2-3 hour immersion in which one relaxes and breathes in the natural chemistry of a forest, can reduce stress levels, improve mood, increase restfulness, and boost one’s immune system. They called this practice “Shinrin-yoku” which literally translates as“forest bath,” the art of taking in the atmosphere of the forest.

Geocaching: Map and Compass
Grades 5-12 | 1 hour | $85 per class of up to 30

Use our GPS units to learn skills and find geocaches at Lacawac. Students learn and practice fun and useful skills with a map and compass. Students will use local topographic maps to find geologic features, read contour lines and legend symbols, orient the map with a compass, and match a location on the map to a location at Lacawac. Choose one or both depending on group size and time.

Canoeing
Grades 6-12 | 1 hour | $85 per class of up to 20

Paddle on beautiful Lake Lacawac. Students are given instruction on water safety, paddling techniques, and fitted into lifejackets. This is a unique opportunity to paddle on what is considered the most pristine glacial lake in North America. Students are given a brief background on glaciation, lake ecology, and the current research happening on the lake. Maximum 20 students per time period.