Bombay Hook offers hands on nature studies for grades one through twelve, allowing students to experience the several habitats on the refuge – from tidal salt marsh to freshwater impoundments, upland fields, and forests.

Program Opportunities:

1.   Wildlife Tour of the Refuge.  Tour includes description of management techniques used to enhance habitats, description of various habitats, history of the refuge, and identification of birds and other wildlife found on the refuge.  Available for grades one through twelve.  Refuge guide or teacher guided tour.

2.   Nature Walks.  A total of five tails (three leading to observation towers) range from one quarter to one mile in length and emphasize wetland values, habitat distinctions, and wildlife identification. Available for grades one through twelve.  Refuge guide or teacher guided walk.

• Freshwater Lesson Plan.  Students use dip nets to capture and study aquatic specimens.  May include water quality analysis.
• Brackish and Salt Marsh Lesson Plan.  Students use dip nets to capture and study brackish water specimens.  May include water quality analysis.
• Bay Lesson Plan.  In the fall students use a seine net to capture specimens found in Delaware Bay.  In the spring the horseshoe crab and shorebird connection is studied. May include water quality analysis.
• Forest Lesson Plan.  Students search the forest floor for specimens and determine species identification and characteristics.

4.  A video tape on the National Wildlife Refuge System is available.  Talks by refuge staff also are available on a limited basis.

Most school groups will select a combination of the above program opportunities based on the school’s curriculum objectives, grade level, and length of time the group will be on the refuge.  Refuge staff can assist in planning the day’s activities.

Planning for the Visit:

Teachers can obtain material for each of the four lesson plans, as well as other information necessary to prepare the class before the visit by contacting Tina Watson, Outdoor Recreational Planner at 302-653-6872.  It is expected that there will be classroom preparation before the visit as well as follow-up after visit so that this can be a successful learning experience.

One day training programs for teachers, scout leaders, and volunteers are held periodically to prepare those in charge of visiting classes or groups.  Contact Tina Watson, Outdoor Recreational Planner at 302-653-6872 for information about the training programs.

Facilities:

A twelve-mile auto trail winds through the upland area of the refuge and connects with the five walking trails.  The Visitor’s Facility at the entrance to the refuge includes administrative office, restrooms, an auditorium, exhibits, and a Refuge Store.  Picnic tables are located outdoors and adjacent to the Visitor’s Facility.  No food or beverages are available on the refuge.  Students, teachers, chaperones, and bus drivers must bring boxed lunches.  There are no restroom facilities on the refuge other then those in the Visitor’s Facility.  All activities are outdoors, except for videos and staff talks which are held in the auditorium of the Visitor’s Facility.

Tips for a Safe and Comfortable Visit:

Long sleeves and long pants that can be tucked into socks to discourage mosquito, fly, and tick bits are strongly recommended, as is proper footwear for walking in sometimes wet areas.  Insect repellent also can be helpful; however, teachers and chaperones should supervise its use.  A tick check should be conducted after the visit.

Teachers and chaperones should instruct students to walk in the middle of the paths when on the walking trails in order to avoid contact with poison ivy.

Chaperones:

A 1 to 5 ratio of chaperones to students is ideal, particularly for the lower grades, and this ratio should not exceed 1 to 10 for any age group.  Proper supervision of students is necessary at all times and is not the responsibility of Refuge Staff.  Chaperones should understand that this is a classroom activity and a learning experience for the students, not a vacation day.

Things to Remind Students:

• Stay on designated trails to avoid contact with poison ivy and ticks.
• Walk quietly and keep noise to a minimum in order not to disturb wildlife.
• Leave only footprints.  Place all litter in containers at the Visitor’s Facility or take it with you.  Don’t take any plant or animal material from the refuge.  What you bring here take with you; what you find here leave here.
• Understand that you are here to learn about nature; that you can have fun, but that this is not “a day off.”

Things for the Teacher to do:

• Contact Tina Watson, Outdoor Recreational Planner at 302-653-6872 to plan and schedule an Environmental Education Program at Bombay Hook for your class.
• Consider participating in one of the one day training programs for teachers.
• Obtain lesson plans from the Bombay Hook website (or by calling Tina Watson).
• Get chaperones for your class – 1:5 recommended ratio.
• Consult with your bus driver to determine the exact time your bus must return to the school from Bombay Hook and make sure the Naturalist conducting your visit is made aware of this time.  The bus is used to transport the children to different locations on the Refuge.
• Arrive at the refuge at the scheduled time so that the activity plan for your class is not disrupted.