Paul Smiths ViC - Self-Guided Walks
Teachers:
- Will your visit be too short to participate in one of our staff-led
programs?
- Is your class visiting the VIC outside of the traditional program
season?
- Are you planning a weekend visit?
If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions and plan
on bringing a school-age group to the Paul Smiths VIC, then you may want
to consider one of the self-guided walks listed below in order to get
the most out of your visit.
Please understand that while we may provide a few materials (as mentioned
in the following descriptions), the rest of the experience is entirely
up to you. We will always provide trail maps. Also note that in addition
to the following self-guided walks, we have slide shows available upon
request in our theater, indoor exhibits, and interpretive brochures that
accompany three of our trails.
Things to tell your group (and all leaders):
- Please be considerate of other groups
- Please stay on the trails (maps available at front desk)
- We have a no collection policy which applies to everything here -
please take care not to disturb our wildlife or their habitats
- Please provide adequate supervision
And finally, call us with any questions. And call to let us know if you
plan to use our facility/trails with your group. Paul Smiths VIC: (518)
327-3000.
(K-4) Come and Find Me
(K-6) Alphabet Walk
(K-6+) Scavenger Hunt
(3-8+) Explore and Describe
(3-12) Barnum Brook Tree Game
(any grade level) Design Your Own
COME AND FIND ME (K-4)
For both our Barnum Brook Trail (0.8 mile loop) and Heron Marsh Trail
(0.8 mile loop), we can provide sets of laminated photos depicting sights
found along the trail. These photos can be used as a matching game where
students attempt to match their photos with the location where they were
taken along the trail. We have only 4 sets of 9 photos for the Heron Marsh
Trail and 10 sets of 7-12 photos plus 8 sets of 4 photos for the Barnum
Brook Trail.
ALPHABET WALK (K-6)
This option is just a clever way to keep your group focused on looking
while on the trail. There are no props involved, although you may want
to keep a "master alphabet list." As students walk down a trail,
they are to begin with A and try to find a natural item that begins with
each letter of the alphabet. We can provide a blank worksheet with a list
of the alphabet and a "key" with ideas for each letter.
SCAVENGER HUNT (K-6+)
This walk will work on any trail. We will provide a checklist of common
natural items. This is a scavenger hunt where items cannot be collected;
the only goal is to check them off the list. The policy at the VIC is
that collection of any natural object is prohibited. Please be sure to
keep your group on the trail itself; do not stray off the sides of the
trail to look for items on the list.
EXPLORE AND DESCRIBE (3-8+)
This option is primarily an observing and a writing activity. You may
choose any trail to walk that includes a spot where your students can
spread out and choose a natural object to study. We provide a worksheet
with questions that prod students to notice many aspects about their object
(color, size, age, smell, role in its environment, etc.). The objects
cannot be collected. (We can also provide clipboards and pencils if they
are not already in use).
BARNUM BROOK TREE GAME (3-12)
Our Barnum Brook Trail (0.8 mile loop) is set up to give a self-guided
lesson in tree identification. An example of each tree species is labeled
on the first half of the trail so that the trees can be studied. An example
of each species is numbered on the second half of the trail to provide
a "tree quiz." We can provide both the accompanying brochure
and answers to the tree quiz. Please keep in mind that after the leaves
fall in autumn or before they are out in spring, students will have to
rely solely on bark and buds for tree identification.
DESIGN YOUR OWN! (any grade level)
You may take your students on a walk with your own theme and your own
activities. Please provide us with a general description of what you will
be doing so that we can be sure that it fits within the rules of the Center.
For information on the Paul Smiths VIC School Programs contact:
Milt Adams
Environmental Educator 2
Adirondack Park Agency Visitor Interpretive Center
PO Box 3000
Paul Smiths, NY 12970
(518) 327-3000
mbadams@gw.dec.state.ny.us
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