Ernie Miller Nature Center

Lamp of Freedom

Freedom! -- It was the dream of living free that compelled slaves to travel north.  Step back in time as "Georgette Tucker" shares her story of the Underground Railroad, a labyrinth of safe houses, ingenious hiding places, acts of bravery and suffering.

Location:Your School
Fee: $58.00/$63.00 first program
$42.00/$46.00 consecutive programs
Maximum: 35 students
Time: 1 hour
February 

Heritage History Lab

Early morning at Ernie Miller Park finds your students traveling back in time.  During the 1700's they will meet Jacque, a French fur trapper, who describes his life on the waterways and on the prairies.  They will also meet an Osage Indian who tells of the ways of his people.  During the 1800's they will meet a newly arrived pioneer, who relays her family's hardships and their survival on the journey west.  These living history presentations will be followed in the afternoon by "hands-on" participation in pioneer games, erecting a teepee, and activities that will better acquaint students with the prairie ecosystem.

Location:  Ernie Miller Park
Fee:  $6.50/$7.00 per student
Minimum:  80 students or $520.00/$560.00
Time:  9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
September, October and November

                 

1991 National Recreation and 
Park Association Midwest Region               
Class I Arts and Humanities Award

Archeology Lab

This archeology program is designed to introduce students to the methodology of archeology, as well as provide the opportunity for students to participate in a simulated archeological dig.  The students will measure, catalog and interpret the artifacts they discover during their excavations. 

After lunch, students will observe and participate in a Primitive Technologies Workshop, which will include hunting technologies, fire building, paint materials, games and entertainment.  These hands-on activities will provide students insight into how archeologists reconstruct the culture of ancient societies and tell the "story" of prehistoric humans.

Location:  Ernie Miller Park Nature Center
Fee:  $6.50/$7.00 per student
Maximum:  70 students
Minimum:  30 students or $195.00/$210.00
Time:  9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
January and February

"This is such a wonderful program. We look forward to it every year. It is a great supplement to our social studies curriculum"
4th Grade Teacher, Prairie School

1991
National Association of Interpretation,
Region VI, Outstanding Interpretive Program

Birds of Prey

By day or by night, out of the sky flies a rodent's nightmare, the birds of prey. Using specialized structures such as talons, beaks and wings, as well as highly attuned senses, the diverse raptors are some of nature's best hunters. Your students will see close-up live examples of these birds and their distinctive adaptations.

Location:Kansas Schools
Fee: $53.00/$58.00 first program
$39.00/$43.00 consecutive programs
Maximum: 35 students
Time: 45 minutes
September through March

Ecology Encounters

Who is the Old Man and what is the "treasure" that he has hidden at Ernie Miller Park?  How can the "Keepers of the Circle" help us find the treasure?  Aided by a map and compass, your students will search for clues the Old Man has left to mark the trail to the "treasure."   Assisted by the mysterious "Keepers of the Circle," your students will discover the secrets of decomposers, producers and consumers - three components of the ecosystem.

Grades:  3rd - 6th
Location:  Ernie Miller Park
Fee:  $6.50/$7.00 per student
Minimum:  50 or $325.00/$350.00
Time:  9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.,
April and May

1986
National Association of Interpretation Region VII Outstanding Interpretive Program

2003
Kansas recreation and Park Association Natural Resource Award

Winter At Valley Forge

Winter 1777....
Commander George Washington and his troops are stationed at Valley Forge, Surviving the bitter cold and harsh conditions in the fight for America's future and freedom of every citizen. Listen as the struggle for independence is told through the voices of ordinary people doing extraordinary things in establishing a new country. Stories of Nathan Hale, Paul Revere, and other American heroes will be highlighted.

Location:Your School
Fee: $53.00/$58.00 first program
$39.00/$431.00 consecutive programs
Maximum: 35 students
Time: 45 minutes
December - January

Wildlife Who's Who

Bring live animals to your classroom! Explore their differences and similarities up close. Observe 5 animals and discuss how they are classified. Your students will see 4 types of vertebrates including a mammal, bird, amphibian and reptile. They will also see one type of invertebrate. Discover these animal's life cycles, adaptations, behavior, habitats and characteristics.

Location:Your School
Fee: $53.00/$58.00 first program
$39.00/$43.00 consecutive programs
Maximum: 35 students
Time: 45 minutes
September through March

Snakes Alive

By examining the characteristics of several live Kansas Snakes, students will develop an understanding of these often maligned legless reptiles, Students will use observation and scientific inquiry to debunk common myths and fears and snakes. Tactual discussion about snakes will include physical traits, size ranges, reproduction, adaptive coloration, sorting by predation type and safety.

Grades: 2nd and up
Location:Your School
Fee: $53.00/$58.00 first program
$39.00/$43.00 consecutive programs
Maximum: 35 students
Time: 45 minutes
September through March

Animal Scene Investigation

Can you be a detective and solve animal mysteries. This hands-on classroom session will involve participants in the investigations of unusual animal biofacts and wildlife scenes. Moving to 7 different stations, students will examine evidence and make logical conclusions. This process will engage scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and the understanding of environmental conditions within an ecosystem.

Location:Your School
Fee: $58.00/$63.00 first program
$42.00/$46.00 consecutive programs
Maximum: 35 students
Time: 45 minutes
September through March

TimberRidge Adventure Center

Get your students on TRAC, to learn Team building, Respect, Adventure, and Creativity with a unique adventure on the Challenge Course at TimberRidge Adventure Center. Students will explore nature in the the woods with a trained facilitator as they learn the art of working as a team. They will experience problem solving, critical thinking, respecting different opinions, achieving goals, the consequences of decisions and choices students make, conflict resolution skills and how to deal effectively with peer pressure in a non-threatening natural environment.

Grade 6 and up
Location:TimberRidge Adventure Center
Fee:$15.00/student on low course
$25.00/student on high course
Maximum: 120 students per day. For larger
groups we will schedule multiple
days on course.
Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
For information and scheduling, call (913) 856-8849

New Fee Structure

10 Percent Discount Now Offered for
Johnson County Residents

1st price - County Residents/ 2nd price- Non-Residents
All prices are subject to change.