Let the Outdoors be Your Classroom

Experience the enchanting magic of camp beyond the typical confines of summer—discover our engaging and interactive year-round programs that are thoughtfully designed to inspire creativity, educate young minds, and create lasting, meaningful memories that children will cherish for many years to come. Perfect for schools and homeschool groups, these programs integrate outdoor activities with classroom learning.

Nature Center Programs 

Nature Education and Outdoor Skills Programs 

Take learning beyond the classroom with Outdoor Education Programs at Camp 365! Designed for schools, homeschool groups, and educational organizations, these day trips and overnight stays provide and immersive, hands-on learning environment that aligns with state educational standards. Our programs integrate subjects like environmental science, leadership, and team-building, giving students a fresh perspective on traditional academic topics. 

Our School-Year Educational Programs allow students to step outside the classroom and immerse themselves in hands-on learning experiences in nature. These programs are designed to align with educational standards and provide engaging and interactive opportunities that enhance traditional academic subjects.

• Experiential Learning: Camp 365 at Happy Hollow turns the natural world into a living classroom, where students can engage in activities that complement their inclass lessons.

• Customizable Activities: Teachers can select activities that align with their curriculum, such as environmental science workshops, leadership challenges, and nature hikes.

• Structured for All Ages: Our programs are tailored to the developmental needs of each age group, from elementary school students to middle schoolers.

At Camp 365, we offer a diverse Activity Menu designed to engage youth in outdoor learning, leadership development, and team-building. For educational groups, this menu allows teachers and group leaders to select activities that align with their specific academic goals and interests.

*Ages and times are recommended. Most programs can be adapted for younger audiences if needed. Programs start at $110/hour

  • A highly customizable program for beginner ecology students. Explore the various displays in our Nature Center. Learn about the species that inhabit the forests of Indiana, from venomous to harmless. Play games to learn about animal adaptations or population dynamics.  

    *1st grade and up – 30 minutes to 1 hour 

  • Dissect a flower (if the season allows) and examine plant material under handheld microscopes. Learn about pollinators and their symbiotic relationships with our favorite blooms. Build clay bees to learn about bee anatomy. 

    *1st grade and up – 1 hour 

  • What might a real alien look like? Learn about local animals’ adaptations and how they are suited to their habitat. Then use your artistic abilities creatively imagine a new planet and an alien that could survive on your planet.  

    * 3rd grade and up – 45 minutes to 1 hour 

  • What is a cell? How does a microscope work? Let curiosity flourish as students get a closer look at the world around them. Use multiple types of microscopes to see live microorganisms from Happy Hollow’s lake, as well as preserved plant and animal samples.  This program can include aquatic exploration in suitable weather.  

    *3rd grade and up – 45 minutes to 2 hours – optional outdoor portion 

  • What is a watershed? How do human influences change the way that water flows? Learn about the movements of water over the landscape and create your own watershed, complete with fake rain and different types of land.  

    * 4th grade and up – 1 hour 15 minutes  

  • Explore the contents of an owl’s stomach! Learn about the adaptations and digestive systems of owls. Dissect real owl pellets and identify some of the bones that are found.  

    Older students can learn to use and create dichotomous keys. 

    * 4th grade and up – 1 hour – may incur an additional charge 

  • Learn about how fires can be beneficial or damaging to forests and how we can help to prevent uncontrolled forest fires. Learn how to build a fire and experiment with burning different types of kindling (optional). Ask us about adding s’mores! 

    *4th grade and up – 45 minutes to 1.5 hours – optional outdoor portion 

  • If you could bring wolves back to Indiana, would you? Learn about animals that historically lived in Indiana and choose an animal to reintroduce to the state. Work with your group to create a reintroduction plan, complete with a visual advertisement that you will present. 

    *5th grade and up – 1 hour 15 minutes 

Outdoor Ecology Programs 

  • Wade through Happy Hollow’s creek and examine crayfish, salamanders, fish, and aquatic insects. This program can be modified for a variety of ages. Younger students can freely explore, while older students can test water quality and learn to identify insects. 

    * 1st grade and up – 1 hour to 1.5 hours 

  • Journey to Happy Hollow’s beautiful Pine Grove and learn about Indiana’s trees and the geological history that allowed a pine grove to thrive here. This is a 3 mile hike with elevation change, so come prepared! 

    *2nd grade and up – 2 hours 

  • What does a field biologist do? Use a hula hoop to capture two areas of habitat and make observations about the organisms you see. Use math to compare the two habitats. Learn about the concept of biodiversity. 

    *4th grade and up – 1 hour 15 minutes 

  • How does energy flow between organisms? Act as a plant or animal in this game. Find out which organisms you depend upon, which organisms depend on you, and what happens to a food web if an organism goes extinct. Play an active game of food web tag if time allows! 

    *4th grade and up – 1 hour 15 minutes 

Outdoor Skills Programs 

  • Can you follow trail signs to the hidden treasure? Learn how to create and read common trail signs and adventure through the camp’s trails. If time allows, you could even create your own path.  

    *2nd grade and up – 1 hour 

  • Test your engineering capabilities and teamwork skills. Build a functional, waterproof overnight shelter with only 3 items per team. Use the Engineering Design Process to test multiple versions of your shelter. 

    *4th grade and up – 1.5 hours 

  • How would you survive if stranded on an island with limited supplies? Use a backpack filled with random supplies and work in a team to access food and water, build shelter, and signal for help.   

    *4th grade and up – 1 hour 15 minutes 

Outdoor Evening/Night Programs 

  • See Happy Hollow’s trails through a new perspective on a guided night hike. Learn how nocturnal animals use modified senses to thrive in a dark environment and call to an owl. 

    *2nd grade and up – 45 minutes 

  • See the moon through a telescope (optional), relax on picnic blankets and learn about constellations and the science of our solar system. You will be taken on a tour through the past to learn about ancient civilizations and their myths about constellations. 

    3rd grade and up – 45 minutes 

Teachers and group leaders can work directly with our staff to select activities from the Activity Menu that best fit their curriculum needs. Whether you’re looking for an outdoor science lesson, leadership development, or a focus on teamwork, Camp 365 at Happy Hollow ensures that your experience supports both educational standards and your students’ personal growth.

To ensure these valuable educational experiences are accessible to all students, we offer discounted rates for schools and educational groups serving under-resourced student populations. If your school or organization serves students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch or come from economically disadvantaged communities, our discounted rates ensure that your group can participate in our transformative outdoor experiences without financial barriers.