Please distribute these guidelines to all group chaperones
and review the appropriate sections for your students in advance.

Chaperones: LC Nature Park will provide one (1) docent (program leader) and one (1) other adult volunteer chaperone. The teacher (troop leader etc.) is required to be present and is responsible for providing an additional one (1) adult chaperone for every 10 students in attendance.

If possible, please have your students wear name tags, so chaperones and docents may easily communicate with them.

Student Guidelines:

• Your guide is a docent, a trained volunteer of the LC Nature Park.

• While your docent is speaking, please be quiet and listen. However, docents love questions!

• On the trail, your docent is the leader. Walk carefully alongside your docent.

• Follow any special rules your docent may set for the group.

• Quiet voices are important, especially for a chance to see wildlife.  

Outdoor Preparation: Please prepare your students to experience the environment. There is no water available on the trails, little shade, and often a lot of wind. Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately. Long pants, closed-toe walking shoes, and a hat are recommended. Other important outdoor protection, which includes insect repellent and sunscreen, is also recommended.

Designated Parking:

As you approach the Mills Education Center (MEC) you will see parking for cars and busses on the right (north) side of the driveway. Busses and cars can pull up into the roundabout to drop off passengers then pull around and park in an appropriate parking space.

Restroom Facilities: Restroom facilities and a drinking fountain are available in the MEC. School-provided teachers and chaperones are responsible for supervising students during restroom breaks.

Picnic Plans: Let us know if you would like to have a picnic during your visit to LC Nature Park. However, picnics are not allowed on the trails and no concessions are available on-site.

We encourage groups to pack a trash-free lunch. For your convenience, trash cans, and aluminum and plastic recycling bins are available at the education center. Please ask students to remove liquids and lids before recycling these items.

Discipline: Discipline on-site is the responsibility of the teachers and their chaperones, during educational programs whether indoors or outside, guided tours, restroom breaks, and snack or lunchtimes. Teachers are responsible for communicating site rules to their students and chaperones in advance.

Reservation Policy and Program Fees

Advanced Reservations: Please make your reservation as early as possible, at least three to four weeks in advance. Requests will be scheduled on a first come first served basis depending on availability. You may reserve a specific program topic (advanced notice required), a guided tour, or a program chosen by LC Nature Park. Group size is not to exceed 50 people including teachers and chaperones. Groups larger than 50 may be allowed (decisions made on a case-by-case basis) but will split into at least two different, smaller groups.

Payment: There is a nominal fee of $5.00 per student attending a tour or program. The teacher and adult chaperones (over 18) are not required to pay the fee. Payment is due prior to the start of the program or tour.

Special Needs: To help us accommodate your group, please inform us of any students with special needs in advance. Teachers should make any necessary arrangements for individual supervision of students with behavioral difficulties.

Cancellation: If you anticipate being more than 10-minutes late, please call the Mills Education Program Office at (260) 999-3153. We will wait for only 30-minutes past your arrival time unless other arrangements have been made with the Education Program Office. We reserve the right to cancel an activity for any reason if necessary. For example, for the safety of the LCNP staff and its guests. See below.

COVID-19: Please refer to posted guidelines at MEC.
If you have questions regarding our current guidelines prior to your visit, please call us at (260) 999-3153, or email us.

Weather: As we all know, the weather in Indiana can be unpredictable. We may need to rearrange a program itinerary or cancel due to heavy rain, storm warnings, heavy winds, or flooding. If there are questions concerning your visit, please call us before you decide to cancel (260) 999-3153, even the morning of the visit. Rescheduling availability may be limited. So, please watch the weather forecast and dress appropriately.

Confirmation: You will receive a program confirmation and itinerary a week prior to your visit here in LC Nature Park to the email address you provided. If you need to make corrections or adjustments to your visit, please contact the Education Program Office immediately at (260) 999-3153.

Make a Reservation for your K-12 class or group by emailing us at info @ lcnaturepark dot org.

Things of Which to be Aware

• Depending on the time of year and recent weather conditions the trails may be wet and muddy, and water is regularly flowing down Carol Creek. Therefore, make sure you have dressed appropriately for the program you will be doing. We recommend wearing pants, long sleeves, hats, closed-toe shoes, waterproof shoes, or hiking boots if necessary. We also recommend that you bring and/or wear sunscreen.

• There are no shelters on the trails to protect you from the sun or rain, so dress appropriately.

• This is a natural environment. You may come into contact with biting, flying, and stinging insects (mosquitos, bees, wasps, flies, etc.) during your visit. Carry or apply bug spray.

• All animals in LCNP are wild and should not be approached, handled, or fed.

• Please bring to the attention of the staff at LC Nature Park any allergies a guest may have prior to arrival.