School Wildlife Programs

Teacher Information Packet [PDF]

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Maine Wildlife Park and Swan Island School Programs

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Read about Guided Tours

February 2012

Dear WILD Teacher:

Last year, close to 4000 children, teachers and chaperones participated in exciting, enriching and educational programs and guided tours at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray and on Swan Island in the Kennebec River in Richmond.
We need your business to keep these unique facilities open, so we truly hope to see you this coming Spring and Fall!

Remember, register your classes early! Activity Packets can be downloaded from www.mefishwildlife.com.

* Regular Wildlife Program fees for Maine Wildlife Park and Swan Island are $5 per person for tours and/or wildlife education programs. Fees apply to students, teachers, chaperones and others accompanying the class, and includes general admission to each facility. There are picnic areas with plenty to see and do before and after your scheduled program or tour -- to make the most of your total trip experience.

* Maine Wildlife Park programs are held outdoors, under our open-sided pole barn shelter suitable for seating up to 80 children at picnic tables. These programs are held rain or shine, so dress for the weather! The Nature Store is offering 1 FREE PASS for a future park visit to any child, who is part of a group admission, that makes a purchase of $1 or more! The Snack Shack is full of affordable (many less than $1) items; and both support the park and its wildlife.

* Swan Island programs start with an open boat ride across the river, then an open truck ride 1/4 of the way down the Island to the campground. Programs are held inside the campground boathouse or outdoors, depending on the weather and/or the programs. Island programs may be cancelled in the event of pouring rains, thunder storms, or river flooding; but dressing for the weather is essential. Full island truck tours are an extra $3/pp.

2012 Maine Wildlife Park Special Offer

Due to a generous bequest specifically for Maine children’s admission, we are able to offer FREE ADMISSION to the first 758 children signed up for a wildlife education program or tour at the wildlife park only for Spring 2012.

Teachers, Parents & Chaperones must pay the regular program group rate admission fee of $5.00pp.

2012 Swan Island Special Offer

Early Bird Special! $1 off each admission when a reservation is made for a
wildlife program only prior to May 15th!

Please make every effort to be on time for all programs!! We understand that bus schedules vary, but please build in time for slower buses, morning traffic, and finding your way to a new location; better to make an early arrival with enough time to use the rest rooms, than get to the program late!

You can register for all wildlife programs at both facilities, and/or tours of the wildlife park, by calling 207-287-5244.

You can register for a Swan Island independent field trip, truck tour or camping
by calling the Swan Island Reservation Line directly at 207-547-5322; or by emailing Swan.Island@Maine.gov. All reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you need to cancel once you have registered, please call and let us know so that another class may participate.

We are looking forward to seeing you and your students at the Maine Wildlife Park and/or Swan Island this year for exciting and informative wildlife and conservation education programming.

Sincerely,
Lisa J. Kane
Natural Science Educator

Additional information, photos and background information about Swan Island and the Wildlife Park are available on the web at: www.mefishwildlife.com

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

School Wildlife Programs