Paid Programs for Visiting Groups

Scheduling Basics

• Pre-registration is required. Registering 6 to 8 weeks in advance is recommended during spring and autumn.
• All guided group programs require additional fees and are scheduled through the Education Department:
  Educator Jeremy Scheivert: 610-756-6000 x209 or scheivert@hawmkountain.org
  Educator Denise Peters: 610-756-6000 x210 or peters@hawkmountain.org.
  
  Sorry, we can't reserve your spot via email or online. 
• All September and October dates fill very fast, so early registration is strongly advised. Group size may be limited due to instructor availability.
• A 20% discount on trail fees may be available if you register well in advance.
• Minimum group size is 10 and discount is offered to the first 125 registered participants daily.
• All reservations must be made with a valid credit card. If you cancel within four days of your visit a $25 fee will be charged.
• Payment is required upon arrival in form of cash, check or credit card (VISA, MasterCard or Discover)
• Sorry, pre-registered rain dates are not allowed. If your group cancels due to inclement weather, you may reschedule at the time of the cancellation. 
• This fee is waived for groups who call in advance.
• Groups arriving more than 30 minutes late risk cancellation of their scheduled program.
• Partial financial aid may be available in 2010-2011 for school groups who exhibit a financial need. Please contact the Education Department for more details at 610-756-6000 x210 or email peters@hawkmountain.org.
• 1 chaperone per 10 students is recommended. A maximum 30 students is allowed inside the Visitor Center at one time.
• The Visitor Center is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and features exhibits, bookstore and restrooms. Students are encouraged to explore the Visitor Center.
• Chaperones are responsible for monitoring student behavior and noise levels while inside the Visitor Center.
• You will receive parking instructions by mail.

Program Descriptions

1. Raptors over the Ridge: An Intro to Hawk Mountain 

Time: 35-45 minutes

Cost: $75, plus student and adult trail fee. One chaperone per 10 students is required and chaperones are expected to pay the trail fee. Groups may receive a 20% discount on trail fees if they pre-register at least 2 weeks in advance.  Trail fee costs $3 children 12 and under and $5 for adults.

Restrictions: Group size limited to 90 in Visitor Center gallery.  Larger groups will occur in Amphitheater. Only offered on weekdays. 

What is it? Your group will receive a 35-45 minute introduction by a Sanctuary Educator or trained volunteer before you hit the trails on your own.  Introduction will provide students with information about raptors, migration, Sanctuary history and trail guidelines. 

2. Intro plus a guided walk to South Lookout

Time: 1.5 hours

Cost: $125, plus student and adult trail fee (1 chaperone per 10 students is admitted free).  Groups may receive a 20% discount on trail fees if they pre-register at least 2 weeks in advance. 

Restrictions: Group size limited to 90 in Visitor Center gallery. Larger groups will occur in Amphitheater. Only offered on weedays.

What is it? Your group will gather inside the Visitor Center to receive a 35-45 minute introduction by a Sanctuary Educator or trained volunteer. Then you'll head outdoors with your educator and walk to the South Lookout. Here, your educator will spend an additional 30 minutes with your group reviewing landmarks, pointing out birds, talking about migration and Appalachian ecology.  


3. Intro plus a live bird presentation

Time: 1.5 hours

Cost: $175, plus student and adult trail fee (1 chaperone per 10 students is admitted free).  Groups may receive a 20% discount on trail fees if they pre-register at least 2 weeks in advance. 

Restrictions: Group size limited to 75 in Visitor Center gallery.  Larger groups meet in the Outdoor Amphitheater.

What is it? Your group will receive a 35-45 minute introduction by a Sanctuary Educator followed by a live raptor program featuring one of non-releasable educational raptors. Immediately following, the educator will provide a general overview on sanctuary use and safe hiking and your group will head outdoors to hit the trails on your own.  Your introduction will provide students with information about raptors, migration, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary history and trail guidelines as well as the opportunity to see a raptor up close and learn about its amazing adaptations. 

4. Fully-Guided Program: The Acorn Project (includes live bird presentation) 

Time: 2-2.5 hours

Cost: $150, plus $3/child trail fee (adult chaperones are free)

Restrictions: Ages up to 1^st grade. Group size is a minimum of 10 and maximum of 20 students. Only offered on weedays.

What is it? Program will occur in the Common Room where students spend approximately 30 minutes learning about the Appalachian forest and are introduced to one of our permanently injured educational raptors.  Then, students head out on the trail to collect acorns and leaves and explore the forest.  After the hike, students return to the classroom ready to sort their leaves and dissect acorns helping them discover how these two items are connected.  Teachers are encouraged to bring along a snack for young students. 

 

5. Fully-Guided Program: Mountain Discovery (includes live bird program, binoculars for participants, and a guided hike to North Lookout)
 

Time: 3-4 hours

Cost: $250, plus $3/child trail fee (adult chaperones are free).  Each student receives a free trail pass for a return visit. Only offered on weedays.

Restrictions: Group size is a minimum of 10 and scheduling is dependant on instructor availability.  Program not recommended for students under the age of 7. 

What is it?  This program begins at the Common Room where students are given a 35-45 minute introduction by a Sanctuary Educator, followed by a 15-20 minute live hawk program. Then, each student is given Sanctuary binoculars to use for the day as well as instruction on proper use. Your group will depart on a guided hike to North Lookout, learning about Appalachian forest ecology along the way.  Once at North Lookout, students gather on the rocks to eat lunch, watch the migration and identify local landmarks. Your group returns and program ends at the Visitor Center. 

6. Guided Group: North Lookout Trail Hike

Time: varies

Cost: $250, plus adult trail admission. (No discounts available).

Restrictions: Group size is a minimum of 10 adults and scheduling depnds on instructor availability. Program is intended for private adult groups only.

What is it?  Your group will receive an exclusive tour of the Sanctuary by one of our trained volunteers or Educators.  Program begins at the Visitor Center and follows the trail to North Lookout. Groups will be provided with in-depth information about the Sanctuary’s flora and fauna and unique cultural and natural history. Ideal for small corporate outings, all proceeds directly will benefit Hawk Mountain education programs.