Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites
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Panola Mountain Interpretive Programs
 

Available Outreach Programs
Outreach Programs can be scheduled within a 20-mile radius of the park. If you can't make the trip to the park, we will bring a little piece of the park to you. The cost is $150.00 per program for a group (30 students or less), and $5.00 for each additional participant. The following outreach programs are available. Please call 770-389-7801 for more information or to schedule an outreach program.

  • The Virtual Panola Mountain Tour
    We will take a virtual hike on Panola Mountain via a slide show and various show and tell items found at the park. This program can be curtailed to different age levels and areas of study including geology, ecology, forestry, and zoology. (Can be suitable for 3rd - 6th grade)
     
  • The Owls Pellet
    A park ranger will bring supplies including owl pellets (1 pellet good for two students), a chart identifying bones found in the pellet, and paper plates and toothpicks for dissection of the pellets. Students will learn about food webs, construct a simple food chain, and infer the owl's role in the environment.
     
  • Reptile Wild!
    A park ranger will bring out various types of live reptiles found at Panola Mountain. Students will learn what a reptile is, what role reptiles play in our environment, diversity of reptiles, and what to do if you come face to face with a possibly venomous snakes. After the program, participants will get a chance to handle real live native Georgia snakes.
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Additional Information
  • Covered picnic shelters and grills are available to reserve at Panola Mountain State Park. Advance reservations are $60.00. Advanced reservations can be made online at www.gastateparks.org or by calling 800-864-7275. Shelters can be rented first come first serve if not already reserved.
     
  • Teachers and group leaders will be responsible for the behavior of their students at all times. Groups larger than 50 will have to be divided between the ranger led activity and free time.
     
  • Please be on time for your scheduled program. If running late, call to let us know. We try to keep on schedule so that you may return to school on time. Occasionally we have groups scheduled back-to-back and late arrivals may either shorten or possibly forfeit their program.
     
  • Rain dates are available. We still present the program indoor as well as outdoors in misty rain or cold weather, so please have your students dress accordingly.
     
  • If you have any questions regarding field trip reservations, please call the park office at 770-389-7801.
  
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  Hello Teachers and Group Leaders...
Teachers and group leaders have the opportunity to experience Panola Mountain State Park on a self-guided basis, or schedule a ranger-led tour. Panola Mountain State Conservation Park offers three different public nature trails, and an Interpretive Center that has geology displays, live and static animal displays and information about the park. There is a field trip base charge of $60 for groups of 30 or less and $2.00 per participant if over 30 people. Groups with ranger led programs or accredited school field trips can park for free. Parking fees for all non-ranger led field trips and field trips other than with an accredited school field trip are:

    • $5.00 for vehicles with less than 13 passengers

    • $30.00 for vehicles with 13-30 passengers

    • $70.00 for vehicles that hold 30 or more passengers

    • Wednesdays are free parking days

    • Fees for our Tree Climbing Program are $170.00 for the first 10 participants and $17 for each additional participant.
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Ranger Led Programs 

Discover Panola Mountain         Grade 2-3
As students complete a 2 ½ hour ranger-led hike up Panola Mountain they will learn about plants and that live on a granite outcrop and see different habitats along the way. They will observe and discuss changes they see and feel as they climb higher up the mountain as well as compare rock characteristics and differences in the plant life. Program length: 3 hours. GPS: S2E3, S3E1, S3L1

The Panola Mountain Ecosystem    Grade 4-7
Discover what is unique about the granite outcrop ecosystem and why some of the plants that live there are endangered. On this 2 ½ hour ranger-led mountain hike students will observe plant and animal adaptations, study life in the solution pits and learn how the mountain was formed. They will also learn about current research that scientists are conducting at the park and discuss human impacts on this fragile environment. Program length: 1.5 hours. GPS: S4L1, S4L2, S5E1 b, S5L1, S6&7CS8, S7L1, S7L4
 
Outcrop Ecology Study    Grade 4-7
Students will see different granite mountain environments and learn about the succession of plant communities that live there. Working in small groups they will conduct comparative studies of life in the solution pits – a unique habitat of the granite outcrop ecosystem. They will observe, measure and record physical characteristics as well as identify the plants living there. Program length: 2 hours.   GPS: GPS: S4L1, S4L2, S5E1, S5L1, S6CS4, S7L4
 
Sensory Awareness in the Forest         Grade K-1
Using their five senses both in the classroom and outdoors children will experience forest life. They will see and feel animal furs; smell “sniff jars” containing aromatic forest smells, and taste fresh local honey. The program includes a short ranger-led hike on the nature trail. Program: 1.5 hrs  GPS: SKCS1, SKCS2, SKCS5, SKP1, S1L1.
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Stream Ecology Study          Grade 4-7
Students will explore a natural stream that flows through the park. Working in small groups they will collect and identify aquatic life in both the stream and a nearby pond. They will record and compare physical characteristics of both and
determine what these creatures tell us about the water quality. Students will also learn about water studies scientists are conducting in the park   Bring shoes that can get wet. Program length: 1 ½ hours. GPS: S4L1, S4L2, S5L1, S5L2, S6E3, S7L4
 
Tree Canopy Ecology              Grade 4-5
Experience a rarely visited habitat as you conduct sampling studies in the forest canopy. Students will ascend into the canopy on ropes with certified Canopy-Adventure-Research-Educational Technical Tree Climbing (CARE TTC) Instructor(s) or Facilitator(s). They will collect and identify insects or vegetation found in the tree canopy and discuss how scientists use the same techniques in the rainforest. Adaptive climbing systems are available so that everyone, regardless of ability, can participate. Program length: 3 hours Fee: $17/person. Group size limited.  GPS: S4CS1, S4CS7, S4CS8, S4L2, S5CS3, S5CS8
 
Butterflies Abound         Grade 5-7
Panola Mountain has a large variety of butterfly species. Learn which plants attract butterflies and why, and take a walk through some of the park's different habitats and learn how to identify these flying jewels. Program includes instruction in using close-focus binoculars. Limit: 25 students. Program: 1-2 hrs. GPS: S5L1, S6CS4, S7L1
        Georgia Reptiles         Grade 4-7
Learn about the unique habitats at Panola Mountain and meet some of the reptiles that live in each. In this live animal program students will learn about adaptations of snakes, turtles and lizards and characteristics that determine their classification. The program includes a short hike to look at habitats. Program length: 1 ½ hours GPS: S4L1, S4L2, S5L1, S7L5

Georgia Wildlife Encounters         Grade 4-7
Compare two classes of animals (such as mammals and reptiles) and learn what characteristics determine their classification, In this live animal presentation students will learn what role each animal plays in our environment, how they are adapted to survive and why they are important to us.  GPS: S4L1, S4L2, S5L1, S7L5


  


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