Field Trips - Watson Mill Bridge State Park | Department Of Natural Resources Division

Ranger-Led Programs

Let nature be your classroom at Watson Mill Bridge State Park! Our park combines the beauty and diversity of rivers and forests with the history of our covered bridge and powerplant ruins. Or let us come to you! Our naturalist can come to your school with a presentation and interactive learning experience (contact the park for details and scheduling information).
Based on your students’ needs, our park naturalist will work with you to create a fun and engaging educational experience.

Programs can be one hour or 90 minutes depending on your group's needs and typically involve a presentation and a brief guided hike. We can work with any age group, grades 3-12, but please see a list below for specific Georgia Standards that are great to study at the park.

To schedule a ranger-led field trip, please fill out and submit an Educational Request Form Group Contract. For more information call 706-783-5349.

Plants & Animals: What We Are - Sensory Awareness Walk

We will take a short walk and use our senses to discover the natural world around us. We’ll talk about plants and animals, the things they need, and how they interact with the world. Then we’ll do an activity to bring the ideas to life.

Program length: 1 hour
Program cost: $4/student
GSE: SKL1, SKL2

Plants & Animals: What We Need

What do plants and animals need to survive, grow, and reproduce? We’ll take an easy hike by the river to see how they meet their needs of food, water, and shelter. Then we’ll do an activity to create an animal and give it what it needs!

Program length: 1 hour
Program cost: $4/student
GSE: S1L1, S2L1

Who Lives Here: Habitats and Survival Strategies

We’ll discuss the effects of habitat differences across the state and within regions. We’ll take a hike to look for and explain the habitats found within the park and the plants and animals that live here. Then we’ll discuss why plants and animals live where they do and some of the adaptations they use to survive.

Program length: 1 hour
Program cost: $4/student
GSE: S3L1

Round and Round It Goes: Energy Cycles in Ecosystems

Or everything is food for something. Learn about the exciting cycle of producers, consumers, and decomposers that makes the circle of life. Learn how forest and river habitats create intricate food chains and the various roles plants and animals found here at the park play.

Program length: 1 hour
Program cost: $4/student
GSE: S4L1

Dichotomous Keys: The Key to Identification!

Learn about this fun and fascinating scientific tool that resembles “20 questions” for science! We’ll learn how the keys work and students will create their own keys from plants and animals found here at the park. Then we will take a scavenger hunt hike to find examples to identify.

Program length: 1 hour
Program cost: $4/student
GSE: S5L1, S5L2

Survival is a Winning Game: Pass it On

Why do some plants and animals survive to pass their genetics to the next generation and others don’t? How do species change over time? How do hybridization and speciation differ? Students will explore these concepts before taking a hike and discussing examples found here at the park.

Program length: 1 hour
Program cost: $4/student
GSE: S7L3, S7L4, S7L5

Watson Mill - A Story of Progress

Students will hike along the river through the historical bridge and down to the powerplant ruins. We’ll discuss how the park's history offers a window into Georgia history. From the Treaty of Augusta, to the original land plat granted for the mill site on thru the development of a thriving mill community, later becoming a power plant during the industrial revolution and finally its modern preservation as a park and recreation site.
We’ll also discuss bridge builder Washington W. King and how his father, a former slave, became one of the most celebrated bridge builders in the south.

Program length: 1 hour
Program cost: $4/student
GSE: SS8H1-7, SS8E1-2

Ranger-Led FAQ:

Q: What comes included with the program cost?
A: In addition to the ranger led program, groups may be provided with a picnic shelter (upon request and depending on availability) at no additional cost ($35 value) for lunch or snacks.

Q: Do you offer a discount to Title 1 schools?
A: Title 1 schools receive a $1 discount per child.

Q: How many students can come on a field trip?
A: Any number of students up to 60 can come on a field trip.We require that teachers and chaperones make a combined adult/student ratio of 1/10. Groups of more than 60 students will need to contact the park.

Q: Is there a cost or limit for chaperones?
A: There is no program fee or limit for the number of chaperones that can come to the park. Any chaperone who drives a personal vehicle must have a ParkPass tag displayed in their vehicle. Cost for a ParkPass is $5 per vehicle and can be purchased with cash at the park kiosk or with a card in the visitor center.

Q: How early in advance do I need to book our program?
A: We require at least one month’s notice to book any ranger-led programs.

Q: How far is a walk on the trails?
A: Most hikes will be between 1-2 miles. Hikes for younger kids may be shorter. Comfortable shoes, hydration, and chaperones are key!

Ranger-Led Additional Information

Educators and group leaders will be responsible for the behavior of their students at all times.
To ensure a quality visit for all visitors, please clean up after your group. This is especially important in picnicking and group camping areas.
Groups larger than 2 classes or 60 students may require more than 1 hour. Discuss your group size with park staff to ensure that we can plan a program rotation.
Please be on time for your scheduled program. If running late, call to let us know. We try to keep to schedule so that you may return to school on time.
Please check in with us one week ahead of your program about the weather forecast. We can go out rain or shine, as long as there isn’t thunder or lightning.

Self-Guided Explorations

Educators and group leaders have the opportunity to experience the park on a self-guided basis.
Self-guided groups can make use of all non-equestrian trails. If picnic shelters aren’t rented by other visitors, school groups can use these at no cost.
Parking is free for official school vehicles (school bus, van, etc.). Any personal vehicle must display a valid ParkPass. Parking fees for self-guided explorations are: