Field Trips

At Panola Mountain State Park, we offer immersive, ranger-led field trips that support current Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) by providing students with engaging opportunities to explore science, ecology, conservation, and history in a natural setting.

To schedule a ranger-led field trip, please fill out and submit a Field Trip Contract and Request Form. For more information call the nature center at 770-389-7801.

Sensory Awareness, Grades Pre-K and Kindergarten

Young learners will discover the natural world through their senses as they explore colors, textures, sounds, and smells along a short guided nature walk. They will use observations to compare living and non-living things, and discover how animals use their senses to interact with their environment through an animal encounter.

Program length: 60 minutes
Program cost: $5/student
GSE: SKP1, SKL1, SKL2

Nature Needs, 1st Grade

What do plants and animals need in order to survive? Students will explore a local habitat, such as from an anthill or tree, and record observations of evidence of food, water, shelter and space. Students will also discover the basic needs and adaptations of plants through a short nature walk, and understand how animals meet their basic needs through an animal encounter with live and preserved specimens.

Program length: 90 minutes
Program cost: $8/student
GSE: S1L1

Grow as We Grow, 2nd Grade

Investigate life cycles and how living organisms grow and change. Through a short nature walk, an animal encounter with live and preserved specimens, and an interactive monarch migration game, students will observe examples of growth, development, and challenges that are faced by various organisms.

Program length: 90 minutes
Program cost: $8/student
GSE: S2L1

Piedmont Explorers, 3rd Grade

What makes the piedmont region unique? Students will investigate the plants, animals, rocks, and minerals that shape the piedmont region and make Panola Mountain a special place. We will explore a rock outcrop ecosystem on a short ranger-led hike, learn about animals that are native to the piedmont through an animal encounter, and classify rocks based on physical attributes in a rock scientist lab.

Program length: 90 minutes
Program Cost: $8/student
GSE: S3E1, S3L1, S3L2

Habitat Dynamics, 4th and 5th Grades

Through an interactive game, a short nature walk, and an animal encounter, students will explore classification of vertebrate species, seed versus non-seed producing plants, and understand the roles of organisms and the flow of energy within an ecosystem. By the end of this program, students should understand carrying capacity and how various organisms are scientifically classified.

Program length: 90 Minutes
Program Cost: $8/student
GSE: S4L1, S5L1

Mysterious Monadnocks, 5th and 6th Grades

Panola Mountain is one of Georgia’s most unique geological features, making up one of several monadnocks in the Atlanta area. Through a guided nature walk, Moh’s hardness scale lab, and rock cycle exploration, students will investigate rock formations, weathering, erosion, and the processes that shape the Earth’s surface. By the end of this field trip, students should understand how monadnocks are formed, investigate constructive and destructive forces, understand the differences between rocks and minerals, and have a better understanding of the rock cycle.

Program length: 90 Minutes
Program cost: $8/student
GSE: S5E1, S6E5

Discover Panola Mountain, Grades 6th and up

On a 3.5-mile ranger-led mountain hike through a conservation area, students will explore the region’s geology, ecology, history, and ongoing scientific research while examining how humans have impacted and influenced the landscape over time. Topics may include: impacts of European exploration, monadnock ecosystems, native plants and animals, Georgia history and land use.

Important Information: The trail is considered moderately strenuous due to changes in terrain and elevation. All participants should wear closed toed shoes suitable for hiking and bring plenty of water. Group size is limited to 25 participants total, including chaperones, faculty, and staff in order to minimize impact to this conservation area.

Program length: 3 hours
Program cost: $10/student (group size limited)
GSE: S6E5, S7L4, SS8H1, SS8H4, SB5, SG2

Beginner Archery, Grades 3rd and up

Introduce students to the exciting sport of archery through safe, hands-on instruction provided by certified staff. Participants will learn proper equipment use, shooting techniques, range safety, and responsible outdoor recreation practices. All equipment provided. Closed toed shoes are required for this program.

Program length: varies based on group size
Program cost: $20/student ($15/student for Title 1 groups)
Add an additional Ranger-Led Hike on either the Rock Outcrop (0.75 mi) or Watershed Trails (1.25 mi) for an additional $3/student

Outreach Programs

Can’t make it to the park? Let us bring the park to you! Outreach programs are available for schools and organizations within a 20-mile radius of the park.

Owl Pellet Dissection Lab

Investigate predator-and prey relationships through hands-on owl pellet dissection. Participants will practice good lab safety, practice scientific observation, explore the flow of energy within an ecosystem, and reconstruct skeletons of prey animals.

Program length: 90 minutes
Program cost: $6/student
GSE: S4L1, S5L1.a

Animal Antics

Meet some of Panola Mountain’s reptile animal ambassadors and explore skulls and furs to understand adaptations and animal classification. Students will investigate characteristics that distinguish herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores of Georgia’s piedmont region wildlife. Programs can be aligned to support grade-specific GSE upon request.

Program length: 60 minutes
Program cost: $5/student (max 50 students)

Self-Guided Explorations

Educators and group leaders have the opportunity to experience Panola Mountain on a self-guided basis. Panola Mountain offers two different easy to moderate natural surface trails, a paved surface trail, Nature Center with live and static animal displays, and information about the park. Parking is free for official school vehicles (school bus, van, etc.). Any personal vehicle must display a valid ParkPass.

Trail Information

Ranger-Led FAQ:

Q: What comes included with the program cost?
A: In addition to the ranger led program, groups will be provided with a picnic shelter at no additional cost ($70 value) for lunch or snacks.

Q: Do you offer a discount to Title I schools?
A: Yes. For schools that can provide proof of their Title 1 status, we will take off $1.00 per student from the program fee.

Q: Is there a cost or limit for chaperones?
A: Yes, there should be 1 chaperone per 10 children. Due to space limitations, please do not exceed this ratio. Any chaperone who drives a personal vehicle must have a ParkPass tag displayed in their vehicle.

Q: How early in advance do I need to book our program?
A: We require at least a two-week notice for any ranger-led programs. During “peak season” (September-October and March-April), we tend to book field trips quickly, and it is recommended to book a field trip several months prior.

Additional Information

A completed Field Trip Contract and Request Form is required.
Educators and group leaders will be responsible for the behavior of their students at all times.
Please arrive on time. Groups arriving more than 30 minutes late from scheduled time, may receive a shortened program or forfeit their reservation without refund.
Field trips happen rain or shine. Please, have students dress according to the weather.
If you have any questions regarding ranger-led program reservations, please call the Nature Center at 770-389-7801.