Field Trips - Panola Mountain State Park | Department Of Natural Resources Division

Ranger-Led Programs

To schedule a ranger-led field trip, please fill out and submit a Field Trip Contract and Request Form. For more information call 770-389-7801.

Sensory Awareness, Grades Pre-K and Kindergarten

In this ranger-led program, students will explore sounds, smells, textures, and colors and group living and nonliving things through a short outdoor hike. Then, discover how animals use their senses both similarly and differently than us during an animal encounter with live and taxidermied animals.

Program length: 60 minutes
Program cost: $5/student
GSE: SKP1, SKL1, SKL2

Nature Needs, 1st Grade

What do plants and animals need in order to survive? Students will search high and low on a ranger-led hike and experience an animal encounter with live and taxidermied animals to discover various plants and animals, their unique characteristics, and their needs to survive.

Program length: 60 minutes
Program cost: $5/student
GSE: S1L1

Grow as We Grow, 2nd Grade

Learn about life cycles and changes caused to the environment through a short ranger-led hike and animal encounter with live and taxidermy animals.

Teachers should choose between one of two activities in addition to the other two:

Monarch Migration Game (GSE S2L1): In this interactive and hands-on game, students will understand the life cycle of a monarch butterfly and challenges they may face while migrating.
Garden in a Glove (GSE S2L1b.): In this activity, students will create a take-home craft to observe the life cycle of a plant and record changes over a period of time.
Program length: 90 minutes
Program cost: $8/student
GSE: S2E3, S2L1

Georgia Rocks!, 3rd Grade

What makes the Piedmont Region unique? In a short ranger-led hike and animal encounter with live and taxidermied animals, students will explore plants, animals, and features that are special to the Piedmont Region of Georgia, like the rock outcrop.

Teachers should choose one of three classroom activities in addition to the other two activities. Please specify your choice on the Educational Program Request Contract:

Rock Scientist (parts of GSE S3E1) – Utilizing tools, students will work in groups to closely examine rocks and learn how to classify rocks based on physical attributes such as color, texture, and luster. Students will understand similarities and differences between Panola, Stone, and Arabia Mountains by the end of this activity.
Soil Sifters (parts of GSE S3E1): Utilizing tools, students will observe soils, catalog observations, and draw comparisons between different types of soils. At the end of this activity, students will understand the differences between clay, sand, silt, and loam.
Trash Timeline (GSE S3L2): Students will explore different forms of pollution and their impact on the environment in this activity. We will communicate solutions and everyday changes we can make to protect plants and animals.
Program length: 90 minutes
Program Cost: $8/student
GSE: S3E1, S3L1, S3L2

Habitat Dynamics, 4th and 5th Grades

Through an interactive game, a short nature walk, and an animal encounter, students will explore classification of vertebrate species, seed versus non-seed producing plants, and understand the roles of organisms and the flow of energy within an ecosystem. By the end of this program, students should understand carrying capacity and how various organisms are scientifically classified.

Program length: 90 Minutes
Program Cost: $8/student
GSE: S4L1, S5L1

Mysterious Monadnocks, 5th and 6th Grades

With two short hikes and a hands-on activity, students will discover the fragile wonder and unique geology that is Panola Mountain, understand constructive versus destructive processes, and explore the rock cycle in an interactive game. At the end of this field trip, students should understand the importance of conservation in saving our natural resources.

Program length: 90 Minutes
Program cost: $8/student
GSE: S5E1, S6E5

Discover Panola Mountain, Grades 6th and up

On a 3.5-mile ranger-led mountain hike, students will learn about the impacts of European exploration to the landscape, current research that scientists are conducting at Panola Mountain State Park, the fragile environment that makes up a monadnock ecosystem, as well as regional flora and fauna.

The trail is considered moderately strenuous due to changes in terrain and elevation. All participants should wear closed toed shoes suitable for hiking and bring plenty of water. Group size is limited to 25 participants total, including chaperones, faculty, and staff.

Program length: 3 hours
Program cost: $10/student (group size limited)
GSE: S6E5, S7L4, SS8H1, SS8H4, SB5, SG2

Beginner Archery, Grades 3rd and up

Take your class on an unforgettable adventure to learn the basics of archery. We will provide all instruction and equipment. Closed toed shoes are required for this program.

Program length: varies based on group size
Program cost: $20/student ($15/student for Title 1 groups)
Add an additional Ranger-Led Hike on either the Rock Outcrop (0.75 mi) or Watershed Trails (1.25 mi) for an additional $3/student

Ranger-Led FAQ:

Q: What comes included with the program cost?
A: In addition to the ranger led program, groups will be provided with a picnic shelter at no additional cost ($70 value) for lunch or snacks.

Q: Do you offer a discount to Title 1 schools?
A: Yes. For schools that can provide proof of their Title 1 status, we will take off $1.00 per student from the program fee.

Q: How do these programs relate to what I am teaching?
A: Each of these programs were designed to align specifically around the grade-specific standards outlined by Georgia’s Standards of Excellence.

Q: Is there a cost or limit for chaperones?
A: Yes, there should be 1 chaperone per 10 children. Because we have limited space in our classroom, we ask that schools do not exceed this ratio. Any chaperone who drives a personal vehicle must have a ParkPass tag displayed in their vehicle. Cost for a ParkPass is $5 per vehicle.

Q: How early in advance do I need to book our program?
A: We require at least a two-week notice to book any ranger-led programs. During “peak season” (September-October and March-April), we tend to book field trips quickly. It is recommended to book a field trip around 2 months prior.

Ranger-Led Additional Information

Educators and group leaders must fill out and submit a Field Trip Contract and Request Form
Educators and group leaders will be responsible for the behavior of their students at all times.
Please be on time for your scheduled program. If running late, call to let us know. We try to keep to schedule so that you may return to school on time. Arriving later than 30 minutes to your scheduled field trip may result in a shortened program or the field trip forfeited without refund.
Field trips happen rain or shine. Please, have students dress according to the weather.
If you have any questions regarding ranger-led program reservations, please call the Nature Center at 770-389-7801.

Outreach Programs

If you can’t make the trip to the park, we will bring a little piece of the park to you. Outreach programs can be scheduled within a 20-mile radius of the park.

Owl Pellet Dissection Lab

During this 90-minute hands-on lab, students will learn good lab safety and practices and identify key characteristics and adaptations that make owls an important predator in their environment. Students will be able to reconstruct prey animal skeletons and identify the trophic levels of the food chain and the flow of energy within an ecosystem by the end of this session. $6/student.

GSE: S4L1, S5L1.a

Animal Antics

During this 60-minute program, learn about various animals that make up the Piedmont Region through skulls and furs and come face to face with some of Panola Mountain State Park’s reptile animal ambassadors. We will discuss how to identify carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores from skulls, creature classification, and their fascinating adaptations. Looking to connect this program with your curriculum? Let us know at the time of booking what standard(s) you are looking to meet. $5/student, 50 student maximum per program.

Self-Guided Explorations

Educators and group leaders have the opportunity to experience Panola Mountain on a self-guided basis. Panola Mountain offers two different easy to moderate natural surface trails, a paved surface trail, Nature Center with live and static animal displays, and information about the park. Parking is free for official school vehicles (school bus, van, etc.). Any personal vehicle must display a valid ParkPass.

Trail Information