Environmental Education Programs
The Peoria Park District works to increase understanding about the importance of conservation and stewardship of our environment… one way to do this is to provide quality education opportunities. For your convenience, the District hosts environmental education opportunities at multiple, easy-to-access locations, including Forest Park Nature Center, Camp Wokanda, W. H. Sommer Park and Tawny Oaks Field Stations…
CAMP WOKANDA 309-579-2157
Scout Programs
- Achievement Awards– Our parks offer all scouts the perfect place to earn their achievement awards. Our staff can assist you in completing a wide variety of advancement requirements ranging from outdoor recreation activities (such as hiking, canoeing, archery, and fishing) to numerous nature study options (such as botany, birding, mammals, insects). We also have plenty of opportunity to earn advancements in arts, sciences, design, history, team leadership, and engineering.
- Canoeing: Our ponds are the perfect place for your scouts to learn how to canoe. We have everything you need to get them out on the water and feel at home in a canoe. Programs can be an add-on to an overnight rental or set up as a stand-alone program.
- Hiking & Backpacking– Have your scouts build their stamina on the miles of trail that wind through our wooded bluffs. A great location to train for their next backpacking adventure, or create their own backpacking adventure by hiking into our camp sites at Camp Wokanda from the Illinois River Bluff Trail.
- Overnight Camping: Whether it is a cabin campout in the winter, or a tent campout in the summer, Our facilities have been home to scout overnights for over 80 years.
- Service Projects- Our trail system has a long history of being a great place for scouts to complete their service project requirements. Our staff can work with both leaders and scouts to help guide them to a successful project from initial design all the way through completion. Contact us to find out what types of service projects are available.
- Themed Nature Hikes– Build your own themed hike by contacting our naturalist staff to help you design a guided hike that meets your needs. We are a great resource for scouting groups that are looking to check off several requirements of achievement awards on a fun and interactive naturalist lead hike.
Forest Park Nature Center 309-686-3360
Guided Nature Hike • All Ages
Explore the diversity of life along the Illinois River Bluffs! Our naturalist-guided hikes focus on the wonders of nature during our changing seasons. Themes include Winter Wonder Walk, Tree Identification, Woodland Bird Hikes, Full Moon Strolls, Lightning Bugs!, Woodland and Prairie Wildflower Walks, Signs of Spring, and Fall Foliage Walks.
Nature Classes for Kids • Ages 4-17
This series of programs is for children who want to learn about Illinois’ natural world. These sessions will vary in topic and structure, and children will participate in hands-on activities aimed at increasing their knowledge and interest in each topic.
Scout Programs
- Achievement Awards– Our parks offer all scouts the perfect place to earn their achievement awards. Our staff can assist you in completing a wide variety of advancement requirements ranging from outdoor recreation activities (such as hiking, canoeing, archery, and fishing) to numerous nature study options (such as botany, birding, mammals, insects). We also have plenty of opportunity to earn advancements in arts, sciences, design, history, team leadership, and engineering.
- Hiking & Backpacking– Have your scouts build their stamina on the miles of trail that wind through our wooded bluffs. A great location to train for their next backpacking adventure.
- Service Projects- Our trail system has a long history of being a great place for scouts to complete their service project requirements. Our staff can work with both leaders and scouts to help guide them to a successful project from initial design all the way through completion. Contact us to find out what types of service projects are available.
- Themed Nature Hikes– Build your own themed hike by contacting our naturalist staff to help you design a guided hike that meets your needs. We are a great resource for scouting groups that are looking to check off several requirements of achievement awards on a fun and interactive naturalist lead hike.
SOMMER FARM 309-691-8423
Scout Programs
- Achievement Awards– Our parks offer all scouts the perfect place to earn their achievement awards. Our staff can assist you in completing a wide variety of advancement requirements ranging from outdoor recreation activities (such as hiking, canoeing, archery, and fishing) to numerous nature study options (such as botany, birding, mammals, insects). We also have plenty of opportunity to earn advancements in arts, sciences, design, history, team leadership, and engineering.
- Canoeing: Our ponds are the perfect place for your scouts to learn how to canoe. We have everything you need to get them out on the water and feel at home in a canoe. Programs can be an add-on to an overnight rental or set up as a stand-alone program.
- Hiking & Backpacking– Have your scouts build their stamina on the miles of trail that wind through our wooded bluffs. A great location to train for their next backpacking adventure.
- Service Projects- Our trail system has a long history of being a great place for scouts to complete their service project requirements. Our staff can work with both leaders and scouts to help guide them to a successful project from initial design all the way through completion. Contact us to find out what types of service projects are available.
- Themed Nature Hikes– Build your own themed hike by contacting our naturalist staff to help you design a guided hike that meets your needs. We are a great resource for scouting groups that are looking to check off several requirements of achievement awards on a fun and interactive naturalist lead hike.
tawny oaks field station 309-418-7051
Guided Hikes and Restoration Workshops • All Ages
Tawny Oaks occasionally offers hikes and programs geared toward ecological appreciation and stewardship.
