Trip & Planning Information

Additional Resources for Environmental Education Group Leaders

 

Lead Teacher Checklist

Sample Schedules

 

  

Lodging and Packing

Maps

Correlations to Georgia Standards of Excellence

Programming Packages and Costs

Our Environmental Education Programs vary in length. While selecting classes, please ensure the total # of classes equals that of your program package. All classes are research, academic and curriculum based, aligned with the Georgia Performance Standards in a variety of discipline areas. These engaging, hands-on classes are categorized into 5 areas: Outdoor Skills, Team Building, Ecology, and Living History. All classes are taught by Fortson 4-H staff except for Independent Evening Classes, which are school-led activities.

These prices reflect the 2025-2026 Environmental Education Programming year.

Residential Packages Cost Number of Classes to Select What’s Included
Outreach $35 / hour Contact Jordan Parker for Details Two-Hour Minimum Class
One Class Only $17 / person Select One 2-Hour Class One Class
One Day with School Lunch $29 / person Select Two 2-Hour Classes Two Classes
One Day with Fortson Lunch $37 / person Select Two 2-Hour Classes Two Classes, One Meal
One Day – Extended Day Contact Jordan Parker for Details Contact Jordan Parker for Details Contact Jordan Parker for Details
Two Days / One Night $105 / person Select Three 2-Hour Classes

AND

Select One 1-Hour Class

AND

Select One Independent Class (1-Hour, School Led Activity)

 One Night Lodging, Four Classes, Four Meals
Three Days / Two Nights $160 / person Select Six 2-Hour Classes

AND

Select Two 1-Hour Class

AND

Select Two Independent Class (1-Hour, School Led Activities)

 Two Nights Lodging, Eight Classes, Seven Meals

Environmental Education Classes and Descriptions

Ecology

Ichthyology (Fishing) – Two Hours

  • Topics Include: Aquatic vertebrates, fish biology, species and characteristics of local fish, external anatomy, importance of fish, trophic levels, ecosystem roles, conservation, and other facts about local aquatic fish.
  • Methods: Students will learn safe fishing procedures and how unique fish are through a guided fishing experience. Students will be provided with all the required equipment.
  • What to Wear: Required closed-toe shoes. For this class, Crocs are not considered closed toe. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
  • Water Rules: Students will need to use extreme caution. Students will not enter the water.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.

Entomology (Insects) – Two Hours

  • Topics Include: The science behind Entomology, Scientific classification of insects, Metamorphosis, External anatomy of insects, Importance of insects, trophic levels, ecosystem roles, and other facts about local insects of Fortson.
  • Methods: Students will learn safe collection and observation techniques, along with the unique world of insects through a guided insect collection experience. Students will be provided with all the required equipment.
  • What to Wear: Required closed-toe shoes. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.

Herpetology (Reptiles/Amphibians) – Two Hours

  • Topics Include: Reptile characteristics, reptiles vs amphibians, venomous vs poisonous, native vs nonnative species, keystone species, ecological roles, adaptations, misconceptions, and conservation.
  • Methods: Students will learn about reptiles by observing and interacting with our animal ambassadors.
  • What to Wear: Shoes with heel straps or closed-toe shoes. Otherwise, comfortable inside and outside clothing.

Forest Ecology – Two Hours

  • Topics Include: Ecosystems, Flow of Energy in an ecosystem, Food chains/webs, Characteristics of trees, Aging trees, Trees of Fortson, Uses of trees, Needs of trees, Succession, Trophic levels.
  • Methods: Students will have the opportunity to learn about and study some of the components of a Georgia Piedmont forest ecosystem. Exploring the forest floor, learning the identifying characteristics of common species of trees, and learning about the process of decay in forests are all topics in this class. Students will be provided with all the required equipment.
  • What to Wear: Required closed-toe shoes. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.

Pond Ecology – Two Hours

  • Topics Include: Aquatic organisms, Ecosystem roles, Food chains/webs, Characteristics of ponds, Invertebrates vs. vertebrates, Human impacts on ponds, & other facts about local pond life.
  • Methods: Students will have the opportunity to learn about and study freshwater ecosystems and become familiar with common characteristics and organisms of inland waters and how they interact with each other in the pond ecosystem, discussion of characteristics of ponds, & identification of common aquatic organisms. Students will be provided with all the required equipment.
  • What to Wear: Required shoes with backstraps and clothes that are comfortable and can get wet and muddy.
  • Water Rules: Students will need to use extreme caution. Students will be able to enter the water up to ankle deep.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.

Ornithology (Birds) – Two Hours

  • Topics Include: characteristics of birds, beak and bill adaptations, niches, ecosystem roles, skills of using binoculars, field guides, and native bird species identification.
  • Methods: Students will learn about bird anatomy and adaptations, species identification, and how to use ID guides and binoculars. Students will be provided with all the required equipment.
  • What to Wear: Required closed-toe shoes. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.

Living History

Farm-2-Plate – Two Hours

  • Topics Include: What is agriculture, History of agriculture, Plant needs, Animal needs, The roles of plants and animals in agriculture, Unique agriculture, Georgia’s agriculture industry, Regions of Georgia.
  • Methods: Students will learn about and explore the history of agriculture and the impact agriculture has on their everyday lives. Defining agriculture, investigating Georgia’s agriculture, the science of agriculture, and the pathway food takes from the farm to our plates.
  • What to Wear: Required closed-toe shoes. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any dietary restrictions or allergies, as students will have the opportunity to prepare fruit smoothies as part of this class. Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.

Pioneer Days – Two Hours

  • Topics Include: History of Georgia in the early 1800s, History of the area around Fortson during the 1800s, Discussion and hands on activities associated with living during the pioneer period.
  • Methods: Students will experience a day in the life of a pioneer during the early 1800s. Instructors will guide students through typical tasks associated with life on the farm during this time. Some activities could include collecting firewood, making cornhusk dolls, cooking, laundry, homesite chores, and pioneer games. Students will be provided with all the required equipment.
  • What to Wear: Required closed-toe shoes. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any dietary restrictions or allergies, as students will have the opportunity to prepare food products. Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.

Team Building

Team Building – Two Hours

  • Methods: Students will go through a series of activities designed to give them clearly defined physical problems to solve. The challenges offer individual students the opportunity to stretch beyond their self-imposed boundaries in a safe environment, which allows the student to grow in self-awareness and self-confidence. Additionally, the elements are designed to force students to plan and work together as a team to solve the specific problems of each station.
  • What to Wear: Required closed-toe shoes. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.

Climbing Wall (5th Grade and Up) – Two Hours

  • What to Wear: Required closed-toe shoes. For this class, Crocs are not considered closed toe. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.
  • Extra Cost/Fee: $12.00 per student

Zip Line (5th Grade and Up) – Two Hours

  • What to Wear: Required closed-toe shoes. For this class, Crocs are not considered closed toe. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.
  • Extra Cost/Fee: $12.00 per student

Outdoor Skills

Archery (5th Grade and Up) – Two Hours

  • Topics Include: Safety, History, Equipment, Physics of archery, and Shooting technique.
  • Methods: Students get the opportunity to observe, learn, and participate in basic archery skills. This class also allows students to apply skills learned during class by safely shooting on the archery range. Students will be provided with all the required equipment.
  • What to Wear: Required closed-toe shoes. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.

Canoeing – Two Hours

  • Topics Include: History of paddling, Types of paddling, Equipment and terminology associated with canoeing, Basic strokes, Water safety
  • Methods: During this class, students will become acquainted with basic information and skills for canoeing on Georgia waters.
  • What to Wear: Required shoes with a backstrap and clothes that are comfortable and can get wet.
  • Water Rules: Students will need to use extreme caution while on and around the water.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.

Wilderness Survival – Two Hours

  • Topics Include: Problem-solving skills, Teamwork, Conflict-Resolution, “Rule of 3” of survival, Lost proofing, Local plant & animal life, Survival shelters, Fire building.
  • Methods: Students will engage in an experiential learning activity that provides an opportunity to observe and apply various survival skills and techniques in a local forest setting.
  • What to Wear: Required closed-toe shoes. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.

Night Classes

Amphibians – One Hour

  • Topics Include: Characteristics of amphibians, Amphibians vs. reptiles, Frogs, Toads, Salamanders/Newts, Caecilians, Ecosystem roles.
  • Methods: Students will explore and learn about amphibian species that can be found in Georgia. Students will learn what makes amphibians different from reptiles and how metamorphosis works while observing several captive amphibian species. They will also get the chance to go on a frog search around the Fortson Pond & Fortson Trails.
  • What to Wear: Required shoes with backstraps. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.

Campfire – One Hour

  • Methods: Fortson staff will lead students and participants in a variety of songs, skits, and other activities. Fortson staff will also assist students and adults with setting up and making S’mores.
  • What to Wear: Required shoes with backstraps. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any dietary restrictions or allergies. Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.

Night Hike – One Hour

  • Topics Include: Local animal and plant life, Vespertine, Nocturnal, Sensory Awareness
  • Methods: Fortson staff will lead students on an evening time hike through the forests surrounding Fortson.
  • What to Wear: Required closed-toe shoes. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.

Sensory Awareness – One Hour

  • Topics Include: Nocturnal animals, Eyesight, Hearing, Smelling, Tasting, Touch, Adaptations, Predator, Prey
  • Methods: Students are provided with an opportunity to explore their natural environment through sensory activities and experiences. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the senses in a nighttime setting with a variety of different activities. Activities may vary due to seasonal constraints and weather.
  • What to Wear: Required shoes with backstraps. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.

Ichthyology (Fish) Dissection – One Hour

  • Topics Include: External fish anatomy, Internal fish anatomy, Lab safety techniques, Dissection procedures
  • Methods: Students will get the hands-on experience of diving deeper into the biology of fish, as they dissect a common perch. Students will observe and identify the external and internal anatomical structures of fish and the purposes they serve.
  • What to Wear: Required closed-toe shoes. For this class, Crocs are not considered closed toe. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.
  • Extra Cost/Fee: $4.00 per participant

Entomology (Grasshopper) Dissection – One Hour

  • Topics Include: External insect anatomy, Internal insect anatomy, Lab safety techniques, Dissection procedures
  • Methods: Students will get the hands-on experience of diving deeper into the biology of insects, as they dissect a common grasshopper. Students will observe and identify the external and internal anatomical structures of insects and the purposes they serve.
  • What to Wear: Required closed-toe shoes. For this class, Crocs are not considered closed toe. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.
  • Extra Cost/Fee: $4.00 per participant

Independent Classes

Campfire – One Hour

  • School Led Class/Activity
  • What to Wear: Required shoes with backstraps. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
  • Additional Information: Please inform Fortson staff of any dietary restrictions or allergies. Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.
  • Extra Cost/Fee:
  • Fortson can provide S’mores materials for $3 per student
  • One-time $25 campfire fee

Night Hike – One Hour

  • School Led Class/Activity
  • Methods: School/group staff will lead students on an evening time hike through the forests surrounding Fortson.
  • What to Wear: Required closed-toe shoes. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
  • Additional Information: Fortson staff will provide maps of the local trails for school groups to follow. Please inform Fortson staff of any physical limitations or concerns that could impact a participant’s experience.

Recreation Time – One Hour

  • School Led Class/Activity
  • Methods: School/group will have access to a variety of recreation equipment provided by Fortson.
  • What to Wear: Required closed-toe shoes. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.

Dance – One Hour

  • School Led Class/Activity
  • Methods: School/group will have access to sound equipment to lead students through a fun dance party.
  • What to Wear: Required shoes with backstraps and comfortable clothing.

Talent Show – One Hour

  • School Led Class/Activity
  • Methods: School/group will have access to sound equipment and the Amphitheater stage to lead students through a fun talent show.
  • What to Wear: Required shoes with backstraps and comfortable clothing.

Other / School-Created Activity

  • School Led Class/Activity

Contact Jordan Parker at jordanparker@uga.edu or (770) 946-3276 for any questions.

Fortson Chaperone Guidelines

Contact

Jordan Parker

Fortson 4-H Center
999 Fortson Road
Hampton, GA  30228
Phone: 770-946-3276
E-mail: jordanparker@uga.edu