Field Trips - Panola Mountain State Park

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Ranger-Led Programs

To schedule a ranger-led field trip, please fill out and submit an Educational Request Form Group Contract. For more information call 770-389-7801.

Sensory Awareness, Grades Pre-K and Kindergarten

In this ranger-led program, students will explore sounds, smells, textures, and colors and group living and nonliving things through a short outdoor hike. Then, discover how animals use their senses both similarly and differently than us during an animal encounter with live and taxidermied animals.

  • Program length: 60 minutes
  • Program cost: $5/student
  • GSE: SKP1, SKL1, SKL2

Nature Needs, 1st Grade

What do plants and animals need in order to survive? Students will search high and low on a ranger-led hike and experience an animal encounter with live and taxidermied animals to discover various plants and animals, their unique characteristics, and their needs to survive.

  • Program length: 60 minutes
  • Program cost: $5/student
  • GSE: S1L1

Grow as We Grow, 2nd Grade

Learn about life cycles and changes caused to the environment through a short ranger-led hike and animal encounter with live and taxidermy animals.

Teachers should choose between one of two activities in addition to the other two:

  • Monarch Migration Game (GSE S2L1): In this interactive and hands-on game, students will understand the life cycle of a monarch butterfly and challenges they may face while migrating.
  • Garden in a Glove (GSE S2L1b.): In this activity, students will create a take-home craft to observe the life cycle of a plant and record changes over a period of time.
  • Program length: 90 minutes
  • Program cost: $8/student
  • GSE: S2E3, S2L1

Georgia Rocks!, 3rd Grade

What makes the Piedmont Region unique? In a short ranger-led hike and animal encounter with live and taxidermied animals, students will explore plants, animals, and features that are special to the Piedmont Region of Georgia, like the rock outcrop.

Teachers should choose one of three classroom activities in addition to the other two activities. Please specify your choice on the Educational Program Request Contract:

  • Rock Scientist (parts of GSE S3E1) – Utilizing tools, students will work in groups to closely examine rocks and learn how to classify rocks based on physical attributes such as color, texture, and luster. Students will understand similarities and differences between Panola, Stone, and Arabia Mountains by the end of this activity.
  • Soil Sifters (parts of GSE S3E1): Utilizing tools, students will observe soils, catalog observations, and draw comparisons between different types of soils. At the end of this activity, students will understand the differences between clay, sand, silt, and loam.
  • Trash Timeline (GSE S3L2): Students will explore different forms of pollution and their impact on the environment in this activity. We will communicate solutions and everyday changes we can make to protect plants and animals.
  • Program length: 90 minutes
  • Program Cost: $8/student
  • GSE: S3E1, S3L1, S3L2

Habitat Dynamics, 4th and 5th Grades

Through an interactive game, a short nature walk, and an animal encounter, students will explore classification of vertebrate species, seed versus non-seed producing plants, and understand the roles of organisms and the flow of energy within an ecosystem. By the end of this program, students should understand carrying capacity and how various organisms are scientifically classified.

  • Program length: 90 Minutes
  • Program Cost: $8/student
  • GSE: S4L1, S5L1

Mysterious Monadnocks, 5th and 6th Grades

With two short hikes and a hands-on activity, students will discover the fragile wonder and unique geology that is Panola Mountain, understand constructive versus destructive processes, and explore the rock cycle in an interactive game. At the end of this field trip, students should understand the importance of conservation in saving our natural resources.

  • Program length: 90 Minutes
  • Program cost: $8/student
  • GSE: S5E1, S6E5

Discover Panola Mountain, Grades 6th and up

On a 3.5-mile ranger-led mountain hike, students will learn about the impacts of European exploration to the landscape, current research that scientists are conducting at Panola Mountain State Park, the fragile environment that makes up a monadnock ecosystem, as well as regional flora and fauna.

The trail is considered moderately strenuous due to changes in terrain and elevation. All participants should wear closed toed shoes suitable for hiking and bring plenty of water. Group size is limited to 25 participants total, including chaperones, faculty, and staff.

  • Program length: 3 hours
  • Program cost: $8/student (group size limited)
  • GSE: S6E5, S7L4, SS8H1, SS8H4, SB5, SG2

Ranger-Led FAQ:

Q: What comes included with the program cost?
A: In addition to the ranger led program, groups will be provided with a picnic shelter at no additional cost ($70 value) for lunch or snacks.

Q: Do you offer a discount to Title 1 schools?
A: Yes. For schools that can provide proof of their Title 1 status, we will take off $1.00 per student from the program fee.

Q: How do these programs relate to what I am teaching?
A: Each of these programs were designed to align specifically around the grade-specific standards outlined by Georgia’s Standards of Excellence.

Q: Is there a cost or limit for chaperones?
A: Yes, there should be 1 chaperone per 10 children. Because we have limited space in our classroom, we ask that schools do not exceed this ratio. Any chaperone who drives a personal vehicle must have a ParkPass tag displayed in their vehicle. Cost for a ParkPass is $5 per vehicle.

Q: How early in advance do I need to book our program?
A: We require at least a two-week notice to book any ranger-led programs. During “peak season” (September-October and March-April), we tend to book field trips quickly. It is recommended to book a field trip around 2 months prior.

Ranger-Led Additional Information

  • Educators and group leaders must fill out and submit an Educational Request Form Group Contract
  • Educators and group leaders will be responsible for the behavior of their students at all times.
  • Groups larger than 4 classes will need to be broken up amongst multiple days.
  • Please be on time for your scheduled program. If running late, call to let us know. We try to keep to schedule so that you may return to school on time. Occasionally, we have groups scheduled back-to-back and late arrivals may either shorten or possibly forfeit their program.
  • Rain dates are available. We still present the program indoors as well as outdoors in misty rain or cold weather, so please have your students dress accordingly.
  • If you have any questions regarding ranger-led program reservations, please call the Nature Center at 770-389-7801.

Outreach Programs

If you can’t make the trip to the park, we will bring a little piece of the park to you. Outreach programs can be scheduled within a 20-mile radius of the park. The cost is $150.00 per program for a group (maximum 30 students). Programs are 60 minutes in length. The following outreach programs are available. Please call 770.389.7801 for more information or to schedule an outreach program.

Owl Pellet Dissection

A park ranger will bring supplies including: owl pellets (1 pellet is good for 2 students), a bone identification chart, and tools to dissect the owl pellet. Students will learn about food webs, construct a simple food chain, and infer the owl’s role in the environment.

Reptile Wild

A park ranger will bring out various types of live reptiles found at Panola Mountain. Students will get to learn what a reptile is, what role reptiles play in our environment, diversity of reptiles, and what to do if you come face to face with a possibly venomous snake. After the program, students will get a chance to interact with real live native Georgia snakes.

Self-Guided Explorations

Educators and group leaders have the opportunity to experience Panola Mountain on a self-guided basis. Panola Mountain offers two different public nature trails, plus a Nature Center that has geology displays, live and static animal displays, and information about the park. Parking is free for official school vehicles (school bus, van, etc.). Any personal vehicle must display a valid ParkPass. Parking fees for self-guided explorations are:

  • $5.00 for vehicles with less than 13 passengers
  • $30.00 for vehicles with 13-30 passengers
  • $70.00 for vehicles that can hold 30 or more passengers

Other Information

For any questions, visit the Nature Center or call us at 770.389.7801.