ECO (Educating Children Outdoors) Homeschool Adventures

Registration for the 26/27 school year will open in May 2026.

Calling all homeschool families! This program takes place on select Wednesdays. Our Elementary sessions meet from 10 – 11:30 am, and our Middle & High School session meets from 1 – 3 pm. We typically offer 2 dates for each Elementary topic due to higher registration numbers. Register early for your preferred dates.

Our sessions may include hikes, nature exploration, games, experiments, art projects, or scientific surveys. Topics rotate each month and sessions are offered August through May.

Program Fees:

  • $12/child for Elementary sessions
  • $15/child for MS/HS sessions.
  • Members at the Family Level or higher receive a 15% discount on program registrations.
  • Parents/guardians are free and pre-registration is required.

Select an age group below to find out our upcoming sessions.

Elementary (1st – 5th)

This program is geared towards students in 1st – 5th that are learning from home, but older siblings are welcome to attend at the same fee. Siblings 2 and under are free. Parents/guardians are required to attend with children.

Program Fees: $12/child. Parents/guardians are free. Pre-registration is required.

  • March 11th or 25th – Adaptation Station
    • Why do different birds have different beaks? Why do some animals play dead? Learn how physical and behavioral traits help animals to survive out in nature!
  • April 8th or 22nd – Keepin’ It Fresh
    • Learn about limnology – the study of freshwater! Conduct hands-on science by dipping into our vernal pools in search of macroinvertebrates. You’ll also play a fast-paced game all about our macro friends.
  • May 13th or 20th – Bird Biology
    • Discover what helps birds fly, different wing shapes, and the parts and pieces that make up a bird. Use binoculars to spot our local bird populations and log them in an international scientific community!

  • August 26th – Wildlife Whodunit: The Pond Caper
    • Solve a mystery using samples, tracks, and clues.
  • September 9th or 23rd –  Migration Nation
    • Investigate the journey that monarch butterflies make each fall season! Learn how scientists are tracking these tiny pollinators and what makes a monarch special.
  • October 7th or 21st – Roots & Remedies
    • Did you know that many of our medications start as plants? Learn about native Illinois plants that can be used as medicinal remedies and create something special to take home.
  • November 4th or 18th – Wild Design Studio
    • Take some notes from nature to camouflage your parents and design an animal habitat. This session will be full of modern artist-tree!
  • December 2nd or 9th – Masters of Survival
    • Some creatures truly live at the extremes of the earth. From parasitic zombies, popsicle amphibians, animals that only live in darkness, and high flying birds, we will dive deep into the world of survival.

  • January 27th – Wings of Winter
    • While many of our feathered friends head to warmer locations for the cold season, there are species that hang around all winter long. Learn basic identification of winter birds and craft a birdfeeder in this winter session.
  • February 24th – Mythical Ecology
    • Discover the real-life inspirations behind dragons, krakens, and mermaids. Blend folklore and ecology! Invent and draw your own mythical species.

  • March 10th or 24th – Wild Kratts Kids
    • Time to suit up and discover your creature powers! Learn which creature facts are myth and fact, where to find animals, and what we can do to help them.
  • April 7th or 21st – Thorns, Tricks, and Traps
    • How do plants stay safe when they can’t run away? Uncover special adaptations that allow plants to defend themselves through games and outdoor exploration.
  • May 5th or 19th – Wild Families
    • Some animal families look cozy, while others just drop their kid off at the other family’s nest. Explore social versus solitary species, parenting strategies, and more in this special edition of ECO.

Middle & High School (6th – 12th)

This program is geared towards students in 6th – 12th grade that are learning from home. Unlike the younger group of ECO Homeschool Adventures, this is a drop off program. 

Program Fees: $15/child. Pre-registration is required.

  • April 8th – Seed Study
    • Investigate the science of seeds. Learn about ways that seeds travel, compare & contrast different types of seed, and help us destroy some invasive seeds!
  • May 13th – Stream Science
    • Stomp into some real life aquatic studies. Students will conduct testing on our local aquatic environments through macroinvertebrate samplings and chemical testing.

  • September 9th – Meadow Magic
    • The last of the pollinators are out while the pollen is still fresh! Learn about our local pollinators, catch and tag Monarch butterflies, and learn what types of plants each pollinator is attracted to.

 

  • October 7th – Carnivorous Plant Lab
    • Can we interest you in a horrifyingly interesting class this Halloween season? Dive deep into the world of carnivorous plants, from nitrogen cycling to methods of attraction for these plants.  

 

  • November 4th – Bushcraft Basics
    • Learn specialty techniques and skills for living and surviving in the wild. This class will include bush knife skills, cordage making, and friction fires.

  • April 7th – Nature Tech
    • How can we blend modern day technology and species survival? Explore the world of trail cams, GPS, bat radars, AI bird programs, and more.
  • May 5th – Field Botany
    • Learn about the structure of plants and wildflowers. Each participant will also receive a copy of Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide to take home.

Frequently Asked Questions

For kids 5 and under, we recommend attending Tiny Trekkers or any of our specialty Early Childhood programs. If, however, you feel that your child is ready for higher level content or longer hikes, you are welcome to register for these sessions. Some things to keep in mind when deciding:

  • The Elementary session will cater to 1st – 5th grade, so younger children may have difficulty with activities or understanding content. Some extra adult guidance may be necessary.
  • Hiking length is anywhere from 0.5 – 1.5 miles for most sessions.

At this time, based on feedback from families, this is a drop off program. Parents/guardians may not attend with their child.

Very few of our trails are stroller friendly. If you have an infant or young toddler that is coming along, you may consider bringing a sling or baby/toddler carrier.

100% of the program is outdoors in 45+ degree weather. During our winter sessions, a portion of the session will be spent in our indoor classroom to give everyone a chance to warm up. Be sure to be prepared for the weather elements when you attend!