RIVER BEND NATURE WORKS

RBNC offers a wide range of hands-on educational science and nature programs. Students have lots of fun, all while learning! RBNC has a variety of field trip themes to choose from including: Down by the Pond, Dinosaur and Fossil Fun, Critter Connection, Nature Detective, Renewable Energy, Weather Watcher, GLOBE, Discover Nature through Art, Recycle Recycle, All About Butterflies, Inspecta Insecta, I See the Wichita, Water Everywhere, Discover the Rolling Plains, Texas Freshwater Fish, STEM/STEAM Ecology, Pumpkin Pumpkin, Observing My World, Plants Everywhere!, Earth Rocks, Life on the Prairie, and Worm Bin Magic.

-Includes hands-on activities, a trail tour, and a live animal presentation
-2 hour duration
-Can be modified for any age group
-TEKS-aligned activities

Students rotate through four stations including the history of the Wichita River, watersheds, water chemistry, and native Texas fish. This program also includes trail activities at the Wichita River. Students will collect data such as temperature, pH, DO, and transparency. Students also learn how to identify plants and animals in a riparian ecosystem.

Eco-Kit Adventures
An Eco-Kit Adventure is a traveling environmental education program that RBNC brings directly to the classroom. It includes hands-on TEKS-related crafts and activities related to the theme that is chosen. Themes include Worm Wonders, Earth Rocks, Plants Everywhere, We All Need Trees, Introduction to Butterflies, Recycling, Renewable Energy, Weather Watcher, Nocturnal Animals, Universal Knowledge, Inspecta Insecta, Wild Side of the City, Wetlands and Wildlife, Native Birds, and Dig Into the Past.

Creature Feature
River Bend brings 5-7 live animals and tells the audience all about them! From reptiles to arachnids, we will discuss the animal’s behavior, habitat, anatomy, and importance in the world around us.

We customize programs to help Scout groups earn badges or patches.

Thursday Nature Programs provide a welcoming inclusive environment for children and their families to come and engage with nature through hands-on creative learning activities. These programs are designed for children ages 2-12 and their families. Each program is constructed around a unique theme that encompasses all scientific disciplines, from biology to astronomy. Art, such as drawing, painting, sculpting, and building is incorporated into every program. Art and science activities that relate to the theme are set up at education stations in our learning center and are presented by one of our knowledgeable field guides in a straightforward and easy-to-understand manner. This come-and-go program is held bi-monthly. After guests have engaged with these education stations, they have access to the rest of our 20-acre facility which includes living exhibits, the nature conservatory, gardens, and trails with interpretive signage.

Science Saturday Programs provide a welcoming inclusive environment for children and their families to come and engage with nature through hands-on creative learning activities. These programs are designed for children ages 6-12 and their families. Each program is constructed around a unique theme that encompasses all scientific disciplines, from biology to astronomy. Art, such as drawing, painting, sculpting, building is incorporated into every program. Art and science activities that relate to the theme are presented by one of our knowledgeable field guides in a straightforward and easy-to-understand manner. This come-and-go program is held bi-monthly. Guided trail hikes are normally incorporated into every program. After guests have engaged with these education stations, they have access to the rest of our 20-acre facility which includes living exhibits, the nature conservatory, gardens, and trails with interpretive signage.

Nature Tots Programs provide a welcoming inclusive environment for children and their families to come and engage with nature through reading nature stories and hands-on creative learning activities. These programs are designed for children ages 2-6 and their families. Each program is constructed around a unique theme that encompasses all scientific disciplines, from biology to astronomy. Art, such as drawing, painting, sculpting, building is incorporated into every program. The program begins with an interactive reading session followed by art and science activities that relate to the theme. A knowledgeable field guide will then take the participants on a guided nature walk. After the program ends guests have access to the rest of our 20-acre facility which includes living exhibits, the nature conservatory, gardens, and trails with interpretive signage.