Programs with Themed Activities

These programs feature games, activities, taxidermy, and props. Content and vocabulary will be age-appropriate. Choose from the following themes or request a theme!

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Lenape Life

Participants explore the history of the native people who lived here in Pennsylvania. Participants will interact with authentic and re-created props and tools, "prepare" food, feel re-created clothing, learn traditional methods of hunting and gathering, play Native American games, and play musical instruments.

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Programs with Themed Activities and Live Animal Encounters

These programs feature games, activities, props, taxidermy, and live animals. Content and vocabulary will be age-appropriate. Choose from the following themes or request a theme!

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Spring Spectacular

Celebrate the season by doing the bee dance, growing like seeds, and singing like birds. Discover why fawns have spots and see who is new in the world when spring has sprung! This program features 1-2 live animals.

 

Winter Wonderment

Nature is always busy, even in winter. Uncover winter's blanket to see how plants store food and discover where animals go to keep warm, find food, and survive this often harsh season. You'll even meet live animals that teach about the season. This program features

1-2 live animals.

 

Fur, Feathers, and Scales

Identify a variety of animals by what covers their bodies. Animal artifacts and, best of all, the animals themselves teach the differences between fur, feathers, and scales. This program features 1-2 live animals.

 

Incredible Insects

What is an insect? How do they differ from other animals? Although they may look scary, insects are very interesting and beneficial! Get ready to learn about the parts of any insect and pollination, and meet some insects from the Briar Bush Museum!

 

Sensational Senses

Animals and humans alike use their senses to explore the world around them. Discover a creature that tastes with its feet and another that identifies objects through touch. Can you guess how the live animal visitors use their senses? This program features 1-2 live animals.

 

Tree-Mendous Trees

All around us, trees simply teem with life. Discover how trees make food, how their seeds travel and grow, and why some trees lose their leaves and others don't. You'll even meet some animals that live in these gentle giants. This program features 1-2 live animals.

 

Pond Adventure

The pond is one of our favorite places to explore here at Briar Bush because it is so full of life! We'll build a pond at your site (no water), discuss life in and around the pond, go fishing, and even bring some critters that live in and around ponds. This program features 1-2 live animals.

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Programs with Live Animal Encounters

Live animals and taxidermy mounts highlight this exciting hands-on experience. Participants learn what behaviors and adaptations are unique to each species, then touch and see the critters up close. Content and vocabulary will be age-appropriate. Choose from the following themes or request a theme!

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General Animal Program

Allow the assigned experienced educator to choose the animal line-up for this exciting introduction to a live animal presentation! This program features 4-5 live animals.

 

Animals Eat What?!

From carnivores to herbivores and everything in between, animals eat all different kinds of food. In this program, you'll meet animals with different diets and learn why eating things we may consider gross is deliciously good for that animal and the environment as well. This program features 4-5 live animals.

 

Where in Winter?

When it's cold outside, animals don't have mittens or hot chocolate to keep them warm. Instead, some sleep through the winter, some have thick fur to stay active, and others just pack up and leave! Learn all about how nature beats the cold in this cool program. This program features 4-5 live animals.

 

Reptiles All Around

They're cold-blooded, they're scaly, they're reptiles! These animals are some of the most fascinating and misunderstood on the planet. Get up close and personal with turtles, snakes, and lizards and find out what makes these critters s-s-spectacular and not so scary. This program features 4-5 live animals.

 

What’s Your Cover?

From fur to feathers, to scales, and more, animals have all different kinds of things that cover their bodies. Some coverings keep an animal warm, some help them to disappear, and some even help an animal be noticed. See a variety of animals and learn how what they wear helps them to survive! This program features 4-5 live animals.

 

Slither, Scurry, and Soar

They slither, crawl, hop, fly, and scurry. Each animal has its own unique way of moving. Watch Briar Bush's animals move in their own unique ways and then try doing some moving of your own! This program features 4-5 live animals.

 

Animal Show and Tell

How would you protect yourself in a dangerous situation? Animals have a variety of ways that they protect themselves; some are familiar, some are gross, and some are downright bizarre! Learn about animal defenses from our not-so-dangerous animal ambassadors. This program features 4-5 live animals.

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Custom Programs

Briar Bush Nature Center has the ability to create custom programs for specific groups who would like our lessons and programs tailored to their interests. Briar Bush has created custom programs for religious groups, libraries, colleges and universities, Scout groups, and more.

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