Potomac Overlook Regional Park

PROGRAM OFFERINGS 

Potomac Overlook's school programs offer students the opportunity to interact with a wide variety of live animals at exhibitions in the nature center, as well as explore the park and participate in interactive, hands-on activities which teach different science-based concepts students are also studying in the classroom.  Below are available programs and the activities they include:  

ADAPTATIONS 
Students will meet a few of the native animal species who call the eastern woodlands home and learn about some of the unique adaptations they possess to thrive and survive all year long in their habitat.  

SOL’s covered: K.5, K.7, 1.5, 2.5, 3.4, 4.2, 4.3, 4.8 

Stations: 

• Live Animal Talk: Includes information about the different animal species, what they eat, what part of the park they would live in, and any special feature they possess to help them survive.
• Birds of Prey and Camouflage Trail: Includes a guided visit to the birds of prey enclosure to see live raptors to learn about their life history, how they hunt, why we care for them here and what they can do to help protect other wild birds. Students will also have the chance to see if they can spot both native and non-native animal species on the Camouflage Trail and learn why some animals might be easier to see than others. 

CHANGES IN OUR ECOSYSTEM
In this new program offering, students will learn more about the connections that animal populations have to the resources that they need to survive and the effects that habitat loss and overpopulation can have on all living and non-living components of an ecosystem.  

SOL’s covered: 3.5, 3.8, 4.3, 4.8

Stations: 

• Oh, Deer Activity: Includes an interactive game where students will play the parts of both white-tailed deer and the resources they need to survive. Concepts learned include how things can change over time with population spikes and what other factors may play a part in controlling the population of the deer currently.
• Investigation Hike: Students will set out into the park to collect data on what types and amounts of resources are available for the deer which are living in the park and draw a conclusion as to the current population of deer and if they think will be sustainable. Students will also learn what effects the loss of specific resources due to overpopulation can have on other native wildlife of the eastern woodlands. 

HABITATS
Students will learn what makes up a habitat, how they support life, and explore specific habitats at Potomac Overlook to see what plants and animals live here. 

SOL’s covered: K.7, 1.4, 1.5, 2.4, 2.5, 2.8, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4.3, 4.8 

Stations: 

• Decomposers: Students will learn what decomposers are and why they’re so important, and how certain habitats help them survive and thrive. Look under logs and rocks for life and examine your findings. Students will also learn about the part that the decomposers play in the cycle between the trees and the soil in the forest.
• Nature Hike: Students will hike along one of the trails and explore the forest habitat, with an examination of what makes up the forest, which plants and animals reside here, and how they rely on and affect each other. The students will then work together to build a food web with the many different components which make up this habitat. 

SIGNS OF SEASON
Students will discover the changes each season brings and how the forest plants and animals adjust to them. This program will be tailored to which specific season it takes place during and include topics such as hibernation, migration, and dormancy. 

SOL’s covered: K.7, K.8, K.9, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 2.4, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 3.4, 3.5, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6, 4.8 

Stations: 

• Live Animal Talk: Meet some of the native animals that live in the nature center up close, learn about how they adjust to the season both in the wild and here at the nature center, what adaptations they possess, and more.
• Nature Hike: Hike along one of the trails and see how the flora and fauna are adjusting to the season, what signs indicate each season, how life survives under certain conditions, and more. 

KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK

Availability
Programs are only available to book Tuesdays through Fridays from September to June. 

Group Sizes
Each program can accommodate no more than two classes of 50 students or less total. Groups that exceed this size may need to schedule additional programs as needed. 

Program Length
Programs are 1.25 hour in length unless otherwise requested. Each program station is 30 minutes in length with a 15min bathroom break between stations.

Program Rotations
For a group of one class and/or 25 students or less, they will be kept together in one group and do each of the stations together. For a group of two classes and/or up to 50 students, they will be split into two smaller groups that will rotate between the two 30-minute stations. 

Time of Year
Some of Potomac Overlook's stations and programs are dependent on the season and may not be doable on your desired date. Staff will coordinate to find a suitable option if needed. 

Weather
Programs are rain or shine and most stations are outdoors. Please dress for the weather accordingly, and contact staff if you have any weather concerns. 

Cancellation Policy 
If cancellations occur for severe weather or unforeseen circumstances, we will reschedule your program to another date or give a full refund.  Please let us know at least 2 weeks out if you must cancel or reschedule. 

Special Accommodations 
If your group, students, chaperones, etc. require any special accommodations, please inform staff. We will do our best to provide a program experience that works for everyone.

FEES

For Public / In-Jurisdiction School Groups: 
Field trips to the park are free for public schools that are within the NOVA PARKS Jurisdictions (Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun Counties and the Cities of Falls Church, Fairfax, and Alexandria) with a program that is 1.25 hour in length or less. 

For Non-Public / Non-Jurisdiction School Groups: 
Field trips to the park for private or charter schools, or any other non-public / non-jurisdiction school group, start at $90 per program.