Friends of Land Between the Lakes
Attractions Programs
With over 170,000 acres of fields, streams, woods, and ponds, Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area is the perfect destination for students to explore and learn.
Day Use Attractions Education Programs
Reservations Information: The following programs are offered to pre-scheduled groups throughout the operating season (March 1-November 30). Programs vary in length and differ in costs. During December, January, and February, programs are offered on a limited basis by reservation. We recommend you schedule your group at least one week in advance. Reservations are first-come, first-served basis.
For reservations, cost, and other information, call our group scheduler at 270-924-2020, 8am – 4:30pm, Tuesday through Friday.
Minimum group size is 10 paying participants.
Give your students a view of life in 1850’s western Tennessee and Kentucky with a visit to The Homeplace. Heritage breeds of livestock and heirloom plants are featured in the fields and gardens. Watch and participate in the daily chores and activities of the pre-Civil War era.
Your students will leave with a much better appreciation of what it took to live in bygone days, and The Homeplace staff will be glad to assist you in developing a program that meets your educational plan.
The Homeplace is a member of the National Association for Interpretation and the Association of Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums. To learn more about The Homeplace, you can visit Land Between the Lakes’ official page.
Homeplace Program Listing
LIFE ON THE FARM
All Ages.
Step back in time to the mid-19th century and stroll on a tour through a middle Tennessee yeoman class family farm.
Farm activities change with the season. Your group can observe, ask questions, and occasionally lend a helping hand to Homeplace interpreters.
This tour can suit groups of all sizes, with larger groups being split up to visit different stations simultaneously.
The Woodlands Nature Station has a wonderful mix of live animal displays and static exhibits around which you can easily build an educational message about the environment, resource conservation, animal life histories, and much more.
Our staff of interpretive naturalists offer programs correlated to Kentucky and Tennessee state educational standards to meet your specific needs and achieve your educational goals. Learn more about our programs by viewing the Nature Station’s Educational Programming Guide.
The Woodlands Nature Station is a member of the National Association for Interpretation. To learn more about the Nature Station, you can visit Land Between the Lakes’ official page.
On-site Outreach Programs
The Nature Station also offers outreach programs that bring the wildlife to your school or organization.
Woodlands Nature Station Program Listing
BACKYARD SAFARI: SENSORY ADVENTURE
K – 2nd grade. 1.5 hrs. (Backyard Tour)
Senses will come alive as we investigate the world of animal adaptations. Students will smell, touch, look,
and listen as they discover how both people and animals use their senses.
BACKYARD SAFARI: SECRETS OF SURVIVAL
3rd – 5th grade. 1.5 hrs. (Backyard Tour)
Animals have all the tools they need to protect themselves, find food, and survive in their habitats.
Students will observe wildlife in our backyard and learn about the exceptional adaptations many animals use to survive.
BACKYARD SAFARI: WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
6th grade – Adult. 1.5 hrs. (Backyard Tour)
What is wildlife? What is conservation? How do environmental changes and human activities affect wildlife?
As students meet our resident wildlife, we will explore these questions and examine the conservation history of our own local habitats.
TRIPLE CREATURE FEATURE
Pre-K – Adult. 1 hr. (Theatre or Partial Backyard Tour)
A great option for large groups (over 100 students) and/or groups with limited time. This program brings
students up-close with 3 animals, a bird of prey, a reptile, and a mammal.
NATURE HIKE: ANIMAL SIGNS & CLUES (1 mile)
PreK – 4th grade. 1.5 hrs. 1 mile hike.
Students will make observations as they explore the trial on a 1-mile guided hike. Learn how wildlife
survives in their habitat by examining their homes, food remains, tracks, and other clues they leave behind
NATURE HIKE: PLANT PATROL (1 mile)
1st – 5th grade. 1.5 hrs. 1 mile hike.
Through activities and observations, we will observe and classify plants, examine plant parts and their
adaptations for survival, learn about plant life cycles, and the important role of plants in the food chain.
A WALK THROUGH NATURE: SELF-GUIDED BACKYARD TOUR
All Ages.
Step into the world of nature on a self-guided visit to explore our native wildlife exhibits, gardens, and indoor displays.
Use your observation skills as you encounter owls, a bald eagle, a bobcat, turtles, and other resident wildlife during your stroll through Nature Station.
PUPPET SHOW: THE LORAX
Pre-K – 1st grade. 1 hr. (Theatre Program)
Dr. Seuss’s tale of the Lorax comes alive for children during an entertaining puppet show that teaches the
value of trees.
Students will enjoy a close-up animal encounter with an animal, discuss how they themselves use trees, and learn about habitats and conservation.
Program includes time to explore the Nature Station’s live animal exhibits.
PUPPET SHOW: ANIMALS OF THE FOREST
Pre-K – 1st grade. 1 hr. (Theatre Program)
Through an interactive puppet show and an up-close encounter with a live animal, students will learn about
habitats, adaptations, and plant lifecycles.
ANIMALS, ART, & WRITING
3rd – 6th grade. 1.5 hrs. (Backyard Tour)
Nature Station wildlife and plants are perfect for creative inspiration! This guided tour of the backyard includes fun language and art activities.
Students will observe, reflect, and communicate by writing and drawing from their experiences.
IN COLD BLOOD
2nd – Adult. 1 hr. (Theatre Program)
Enjoy this up-close encounter with live reptiles and amphibians!
For younger groups, the program will focus on adaptations, life cycles, and classification.
With older groups, we will also explore how environmental changes have affected these animals and learn about their unique behaviors.
CAREER DISCOVERY: NATURAL RESOURCE INTERPRETATION
High School – College. 1 hr. (Theatre Program and Partial Backyard Tour)
Our job at the Nature Station is “interpretation.” We work to foster understanding, appreciation, and responsible use of the natural resources of Land Between The Lakes.
During this tour of our nature center, we will introduce your students to the field of interpretation – its purposes, methods, and role in natural resource management.
The Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory offers a wide range of planetarium shows that are suitable for all grade levels. Take advantage of regularly scheduled shows or contact the Planetarium Manager about scheduling a specific presentation for your group.
Programs of sky observation at the Golden Pond Observatory can be scheduled by contacting the Planetarium.
All of our programs correlate with Kentucky and Tennessee educational standards.
The Golden Pond Planetarium is now a NASA Educator Resource Center. Contact us at 800-455-5897 about how you can receive educational materials provided by NASA.
To see the most updated Planetarium schedule, you can visit Land Between the Lakes’ official page.
Golden Pond Planetarium Program Listing
LITTLE STAR THAT COULD
Children, Younger Audiences.
“Little Star That Could” is a story about an average yellow star in search for planets of his own to protect and warm.
Along the way, he meets other stars, learns what makes each star special, and discovers that stars combine to form star clusters and galaxies. Eventually, Little Star finds his planets.
Each planet is introduced to the audience with basic information about our Solar System.
Program time – 35 minutes plus interpretive presentation.
EARTH, MOON, & SUN
Younger Audiences.
This show explores the relationship between the earth, moon and sun with the help of Coyote, an amusing character adapted from Native American oral traditions who has many misconceptions about our home planet and its most familiar neighbors.
Learn why the sun rises and sets and the basics of fusion and solar energy. Examine the moon’s orbit, craters, phases and eclipses.
Also, explore past and future space travel to our Moon and beyond.
Program time – 25 minutes plus interpretive presentation.
TRAVELING WITH LIGHT
All ages, trends toward younger audiences.
This show presents different scenarios that reveal the complexity of light and its direct influence on our planet. From the heat and light of the Sun to the evolutionary impact of fire, light plays a vital role.
Program time – 45 minutes.
LASER LEGENDS OF THE NIGHT SKY
Younger Audiences.
Join Aesop the Owl in a journey through Greek-mythology inspired stories of the constellations, including princesses, warriors, and even sea monsters. Explore the fight of good versus evil, death, honor, betrayal, and sacrifice themed in a way that is suitable for younger viewers.
**Warning: Some flickering/dynamic light elements may not be suitablefor light sensitive groups.
STARS: THE POWERHOUSES OF THE UNIVERSE
All Ages.
Stars are the engines that fuel the universe, and every star has a story. Follow along and learn how they are formed, their beauty, and their destructive power. Explore the history of astronomy around the world.
HABITAT EARTH
All Ages.
In the only Earth Science offering, learn how living networks connect and support life forms large and small. Discover what it means to live in today’s connected world-from deep in the ocean to beneath
the forest floor.
DISCOVER THE STARS
All Ages.
Many of us have looked up at the stars in the sky and wondered. This exciting program takes viewers beyond a simple observation of the night sky and delves into the fascinating lives of stars.
EXPLORE
All Ages.
Enjoy the story of humanity’s fascination with stars, from ancient astrologers to breakthrough discoveries. Also learn how modern spacecraft navigate the skies.
FIREFALL
Adult Audiences.
Have you ever enjoyed a meteor shower or wished upon a shooting star? Explore where meteors come from, what they are made of, past impact evidence and even possible future impact predictions.
FROM EARTH TO THE UNIVERSE
Adult Audiences.
How has our understanding of the universe progressed in the last 100 years? Explore how technology has allowed us to observe new parts of space for the very first time.
The 3-mile drive through the Elk & Bison Prairie will take your class back to a time before European settlement of the area when elk and bison were common in western Kentucky. Students can imagine life as the Native Americans would have experienced it.
The Elk & Bison Prairie affords a perfect venue to teach how the elk and bison, along with other game, were the primary sources of food, clothing, materials for tools and weapons, and even fuel. Observe remnant populations of warm season grasses; the native plant community of that time, which are being restored in this area.
With interpretive stops along the route that tell the story of the land, vegetation, wildlife, and people who inhabited Kentucky’s barrens, the Elk & Bison Prairie offers a unique learning opportunity to your students.
Overnight Facility Education Programs
Let our professional staff help you plan your 2-, 3-, or 4-day trip to LBL and the surrounding area. Give us a call at (931) 232-7405 to learn more about the total experience Brandon Spring has to offer. Discounted rates are available during the winter months and for first-time groups. Reservations are taken up to one year in advance.
Overnight Facility
Why turn around and head back to school just when your students are starting to really enjoy the learning opportunities LBL has to offer?
With 128 beds, cafeteria, meeting rooms, recreational activities, and a full array of programs to complement your educational goals, Brandon Spring Group Center is the perfect companion to our day-use facilities. Imagine the lights turning on in students’ minds when they wade in a nearby creek to observe a crawfish in its natural habitat, learn to read a map and compass, and more. These and countless other learning adventures await you and your students.
Let our professional staff help you plan your 2-, 3-, or 4-day trip to LBL and the surrounding area.
Give us a call at (931) 232-7405 to learn more about the total experience Brandon Spring has to offer.
Discounted rates are available during the winter months and for first-time groups. Reservations are taken up to one year in advance.
Brandon Spring Program Listing
STREAM STUDY
Put on your get-wet shoes and prepare to explore the diversity of life found in a stream ecosystem.
Your students will conduct a scientific investigation by collecting and identifying aquatic invertebrates using dip nets, discovery scopes, and field guides.
As we wade through the ripples of Panther Creek, we’ll discover the unique adaptations many aquatic organisms use for surviving in a constantly changing environment. Learning concepts: Life cycles, metamorphosis, interdependence, adaptations, food chains, biodiversity.
ORIENTEERING
Test your skills with a map and compass to navigate through the woods surrounding Brandon Spring.
We’ll study the parts of a compass, learn basic map-reading skills, and practice simple orienteering techniques.
Then work together in small teams and use our new found knowledge, along with some coaching from our staff, to find our way through the forest.
Learning concepts: Using geographic tools, identifying geographic features, critical thinking, decision-making skills, working in small groups.
POND PROWL
Your students will explore life in a pond habitat and discover the diversity of aquatic invertebrates and amphibians that call wetlands their home.
We’ll examine the many adaptations organisms have for surviving in an aquatic environment, with dip nets, discovery scopes, and field guides.
Learning concepts: Life cycle, metamorphosis, interdependence, adaptations, food chains, biodiversity.
BEAVER MARSH STUDY
Let’s discover what life is like for a beaver and investigate an active beaver marsh!
We’ll “build-a-beaver” and study beaver’s special adaptations up close, as well as examine why beavers are so important in our environment.
Then hike to a nearby beaver marsh to explore and identify the unique signs made by these amazing animal engineers.
Learning concepts: Interdependence, adaptations, habitat needs.
OUTDOOR SURVIVAL
It is always helpful to learn basic outdoor survival skills.
Let’s discover what to pack in a survival kit to take on a hike, and then head to the woods and build our own survival shelters using only items found in nature.
Along with building debris huts, we will practice simple ways to start a safe campfire!
Learning concepts: Critical thinking, decision-making skills, working in small groups.
NIGHT HIKE
Are you ready to become nocturnal for a night?
Explore the world of nocturnal creatures by taking a guided hike through the woods.
We’ll discover the unique adaptations that many nocturnal animals have for surviving in the nighttime world.
See, smell, hear, touch, and taste like the animals of the night!
Learning concepts: Adaptations, interdependence, habitat needs
NIGHT FLIGHT
It’s a bird! It’s a plane!
No!
It’s… a bat?!
We’ll unravel some bat myths and discover just how beneficial these flying mammals are to our environment.
Then, play our interactive echolocation game where you can be the bat!
Learning concepts: Interdependence, adaptations, food chains
OTHER TOPICS BY SPECIAL REQUEST
Birds, Deer, Erosion, Insects, Predator/Prey Relationships, and Squirrels
