Guidelines for Parents
READ THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE YOUR CHILD'S TOUR.
Feel free to email this page to other parents, or to print and distribute it. |
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JOINING A TOUR
In some cases, parents and other relatives can join a field trip. Please contact your school for details. Admission to Georgia Nature Center is $10 per parent or other adult, and can be paid upon arrival at the center. |
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ATTIRE
The tour includes approximately one mile of walking on trails in the woods, broken up into short 10 to 15 minute walks. Please be sure your child wears appropriate shoes and clothes you don't mind them getting a little dirty. The trails are easy for most kids, though a few of the trails can be slightly muddy after a heavy rain. If there is any chance of rain on the day of the tour, please send your child with appropriate rain gear. Most of the tour is conducted outdoors. |
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WHAT IF IT RAINS?
In most cases, we can conduct tours regardless of the weather. We have a 1,400 square foot tent under which we can present many of the interactive demonstrations about renewable energy, carnivorous plants, organic farming, etc. In the event of an unexpected severe storm, we will monitor weather radar, and if appropriate, direct students back to the buses or other vehicles for shelter until the storm passes. If time allows, the tour can continue after the storm has passed. If due to severe weather your child is unable to complete at least 75% of their tour, your child will be given a coupon good for one-free admission to the center valid anytime within six months. |
RULES WHILE ON TRAILS
Please advise your child that while on trails they must walk single file, they must never wander off marked paths, and they must stay behind any safety fences, railings or flagging. This is important for safety reasons and to avoid disturbing plants and wildlife. For the best chance to see wildlife during a tour, your child should speak quietly and keep talking to a minimum while on nature trails. Please ask your child to be silent when any of the nature center staff are giving a presentation or discussing something along any of the trails.
Ticks are common during warmer months of the year. For best protection from ticks, we recommend you spray your child's shoes and socks with a repellent containing DEET before sending them to the center (assuming they are not allergic to it). For even better protection, your child can tuck their pants into their socks before spraying them. Since ticks walk up from the ground, this will keep most of them off, and also keeps you from having to spray repellent directly on your child's skin. Many people don't bother with repellents, we simply mention this here for those who like to go the extra mile to avoid tick bites.
On occasion snakes are found along nature trails, and while most are not poisonous, some poisonous snakes are seen in the area on rare occasions. Please advise your child not to touch any snakes, and to immediately notify a Nature Center Staff member if a snake is seen so that it can be identified and safely removed from the area.
In case of any type of emergency, please ask your child to immediately notify a nature center employee wearing a STAFF shirt. |
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GIFT SHOP, SOUVENIRS & FREE ITEMS AT THE CENTER
Souvenir items such as solar-powered toys and carnivorous plants are available for sale at the Nature Center Store. During most tours, contests will be held to award some of these toys and plants free to one or more students. If your child might want to purchase solar-powered toys or carnivorous plants, please send them along with a small amount of cash. These items are available at prices ranging from $5 to $20 each. |
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STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
If your child is physically disabled or may be unable to walk the trails for any other reason, please notify us in advance (call 1-800-800-2SUN) so we can make arrangements to accommodate them. We have other activities which can be arranged for such students, and we have an ADA compliant restroom. |
TOUR CHECKLIST
Following are items your child may wish to bring along:
Bag lunch.
Bottled water or other drinks.
Comfortable shoes for walking on trails.
Rain gear if there is any chance of rain.
Insect repellent.
Cash for souvenirs.
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