Homeschool Programs
Lutherlyn has been offering environmental education programs to homeschoolers for over 25 years. In early 2025, the Lutherlyn Environmental Education Program is excited to host another homeschool program series featuring the science behind maple syrup, sustainable living, wildlife, ecosystems, and water.
Families and groups can sign up via Lutherlyn's Online Registration Portal. Our programs are appropriate for grades 1-12. The cost is $10 per person. Siblings under grade 1 are welcome to come with their family at no extra cost. Each session runs from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM. (If a minimum of 10 people are not registered for a session, it will be cancelled and registered participants will receive a full refund.) An adult must be registered along with the student or students.
Thursday, February 13, 2025: Maple Sugaring – Learn about the science and history behind sweet maple syrup:
- This program is an interdisciplinary study of tree identification, tree biology, and the cultural importance of maple syrup for the Native Americans and early American pioneers.
- Students learn how a tree works and how to identify a maple tree in the winter. Then they measure a maple tree, drill the hole, tap in the spile, hang the bucket, and calculate the drip rate. Students collect the sap from many maple trees, take it to the Sugar Shack where it is boiled into syrup, and taste the final product. They also learn about the techniques used by Native Americans and pioneers to make maple syrup and maple sugar. It is a great way to celebrate the coming of spring!
Registration Deadline: February 3
Thursday, March 20th, 2025: Sustainable Living – Join us while we tour Pennsylvania’s first ever straw bale homestead and learn about organic gardening:
- Terra Dei – The Terra Dei Homestead was designed to demonstrate ways that people can conserve energy and resources in daily lifestyles. Students begin by participating in a game that focuses on fossil fuels and alternative energy sources. They then explore Terra Dei Homestead and the many ways that energy and resources can be conserved in a home environment.
- Organic Gardening – This activity will include a tour of the gardens at Terra Dei, a discussion of the practice of organic gardening, and the opportunity for the students to start their own seeds to take home.
Registration Deadline: March 13
Monday, March 31st , 2025: All About Animals – This program focuses on the lives of wildlife through observation and play:
- Habitat and Wildlife – Students use their observation skills to find signs of animals while hiking through a forest. Elements of a habitat are discussed with respect to each animal (or animal sign) encountered.
- Predator/Prey Relationships – Students participate in games and simulations that lead them to a greater understanding of predators, prey, limiting factors, habitat needs, and human impacts on wildlife.
Registration Deadline: March 24
Thursday, April 17th, 2025: Everything Ecosystems – This day features an itinerary that explores ecosystems and forest health:
- Ecosystem Investigation – The ecosystem concept is explored through this hiking activity. Students visit 4 different ecosystems and collect data about air and soil temperatures, sunlight penetration, wind speed, and biological factors. The data collected is used to investigate the inter-relatedness of ecosystems. Learning about wetlands and visiting a marsh are highlights of this activity.
- Healthy Forests – Forests are incredibly diverse and complex ecosystems. Students learn how the plants and animals in a forest are interrelated and about the different layers in a forest. Students also measure trees to figure out their age and how much carbon dioxide they sequester. All these factors help students determine how healthy a forest is.
Registration Deadline: April 10
Monday, April 28th, 2025: The Wonderful World of Water – Join us for a fun and hands-on look at all things water using our “Water Cycle” and “Stream Investigation” activities:
- Water Cycle and Watersheds – Students discover the many ways molecules move through the water cycle and the forces that make it all happen. They explore the water cycle and watershed concepts during several activities a hike to a natural spring and a stream valley.
- Stream Investigation – Students explore the food chain of a stream ecosystem learning about producers, consumers (herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores), and decomposers. They then collect and study specimens from this moving water environment. The organisms found are used to determine the health of this habitat.
Registration Deadline: April 21
Additionally, most of the activities that are available in our Program Options Guide can be part of a customized homeschool field trip experience for your homeschool group. For more information, to talk to our Environmental Education Director, or to make a reservation, please contact the Lutherlyn Environmental Education Office at leep@lutherlyn.com or 724-865-9079.
