Estero Llano Grande

Don’t forget the gift shop! Easy 3-step process to booking YOUR program at Estero Llano Grande State Park: 1 2 Pick a topic. Choose from eight exciting programs or have us design one to fit your needs (please allow at least two weeks’ notice for special request programs). Pick a date. Choose the day and time you would like to visit. Have a few back-up dates as well. 3 A trip to the park’s gift shop can be added to any field trip FREE of charge. Call us at (956) 565-3919. Dates fill up quickly, so call early to book your program. Once you have successfully booked your program you will receive confirmation. FIELD TRIP Books, games, binoculars, T-shirts, hats, stuffed animals, snacks and souvenirs of all kinds can be found in our gift shop. Don’t forget to have your students bring their spending money! All purchases in the gift shop support Texas state parks. OPPORTUNITIES STARR ted Correla Can’t leave the classroom? Let us come to you! We also offer OUTREACH programs that will come to you. Let one of our knowledgeable staff bring the wonderful world of wildlife to your classroom. Call for program options and prices: (956) 565-3919 What about lunch? School groups are welcome to bring their own lunches and enjoy them on our beautiful deck overlooking the wetlands! Pricing Prices per child for the program vary with length and supplies needed. An additional $2 will be charged per student for restocking of some program supplies. Call for a quote. ESTERO LLANO GRANDE STATE PARK, WORLD BIRDING CENTER 3301 S. International Blvd. (F.M. 1015) Weslaco, Texas 78596 (956) 565-3919 Fax: (956) 565-2864 www.tpwd.texas.gov E S T E R O L L A N O G R A N D E S TAT E PA R K Because we recognize the support provided by teachers a  nd chaperones, all adults assisting with a school group will NOT be charged an additional entry fee (fees for snacks and materials will be the responsibility of the individual adult or the school). www.tpwd.texas.gov ©www.glennbartley.com CAMP THICKET GUIDED HANDS-ON TOURS AND TPWD receives federal assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal agencies. TPWD is therefore subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, in addition to state anti-discrimination laws. TPWD will comply with state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any TPWD program, activity or event, you may contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Federal Assistance, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop: MBSP-4020, Arlington, VA 22203, Attention: Civil Rights Coordinator for Public Access. In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries. © 2014 TPWD PWD BR P4502-179H (7/14) ACTIVITIES ! IN AN OUTDOOR & FUN EDUCATION CLASSROOM Birding 101 Wetland Wildlife The amazing diversity of birds in the Rio Grande Valley attracts visitors from all over the world. Let us teach your students why South Texas is special as we introduce them to the world of birding. Students will be guided in activities such as learning to use binoculars, scopes and field guides, playing bird games, learning bird calls and collecting bird data. Your students could even have a chance to dissect a real owl pellet. Your young adventurers will use the skills and knowledge they gain on guided bird walks, birding competitions or bird surveys during the trip. The time they spend is sure to be a “hoot.” Our wetlands are home to some of the most amazing creatures found in the Rio Grande Valley. The Wetland Wildlife program will introduce your students to the diversity of abundant life found in our park’s wetland environment. With so many birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects living in the park, your students will be able to watch and learn how wildlife coexists in nature. They will be guided through activities on life cycles, food chains and animal identification. Their knowledge will be reinforced on a guided hike through wetlands in search of the incredible creatures that call our park home. Birding with Fledglings Wetland Investigations Birds are amazing to people of all ages. Living in the Rio Grande Valley, it is only natural for your students’ attention to turn to our amazing feathered friends. Let us teach them birding basics with activities that allow students to use their senses when exploring the world of birds. Feeling feathers, observing astounding colors, and listening to the wondrous sounds are a few of the memorable first-time experiences that can connect children to nature. Students will learn the importance of clean, healthy water as they investigate the physical and chemical health of our park’s wetlands. Your class will experience hands-on learning by using tools to collect important data. Your students will then use this data to assess the quality of our wetlands. We will look at some of the largest and smallest organisms living in the wetlands and study the effects of pollution. Your students will be transformed into “wetland scientists” for the day. Incredible Insects STARR Review Workshop Dragonflies, beetles and bees — oh my! Enter the exciting world of entomology as students learn about the role of insects in our ecosystem. Get up-close and personal with living and preserved insects that can be found around the park. Learn about insect lifecycles, classification, adaptations, food and much more. Arts and crafts will help the kids understand the complex structures and patterns that help these creatures survive. By the end of the day your students will be “bugging” you for another park adventure. Preparing your students for STARR testing can be a difficult and overwhelming task. With the help of our knowledgeable staff and volunteers, we can help your students review and gain a greater understanding as they prepare for upcoming science tests. Leave books behind as science stations throughout the park provide your students up-close observation and hands-on learning experiences. A pre-trip meeting will help us decide the specific STARR objectives that your students need to improve. Amazing Adaptations Camping 101 Join us as we explore the amazing world of bird adaptations. From beaks to feet and everything in between, together we will look at how birds have adapted to survive. Hands-on activities and demonstrations will help teach the purpose of bird adaptations. After studying how and why adaptations have developed, we will reinforce your students’ new knowledge on a nature walk. The students will then be able to identify adaptations of the birds we discover. This adventure is sure to be a life-changing experience. Treat your students to the basics of camping. Enjoy the comfort of our Camp Thicket Cabins with indoor kitchen and restrooms/ showers or choose to tent camp. Either way we will teach your students the basics of camping. Learn how to set up a tent, build a fire, and how to identify sounds of the night. Then join us for a nature walk through the park, geocaching, owl prowl, or spider sniffing. We provide basic camping equipment and a program. You bring your food and bedding. And to round out your evening don’t forget your s’mores. Chaperones Required/No Overnight Staff Facilities and programs at Estero Llano Grande State Park are accessible to those with special needs. To book a program with Estero Llano Grande State Park, call (956) 565-3919. Facilities available for all types of events.