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Gateway to Sully Woodlands Park - School Programs

 

Cub Run RECenter - Nature Program

Sully Woodlands Science & Nature School Field Trip Programs

Dear Educator:
As part of our nature science education efforts, we offer hands-on naturalist led programs for children in grades Pre-K to 8th that are geared to SOL's. The outdoor programs at the Cub Run RECenter, 4630 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly and the Sully Woodlands nearby, give students an opportunity to explore the natural world in the Park Authority's newest and biggest property assemblage of over 2,000 acres in western Fairfax County.

Cost: All programs have a $4/student fee. NON-FAIRFAX county schools have a $5/student fee. Chaperones now pay the student fee but there is still No Charge for teachers. Payment is due on the scheduled program date.

Pre K and Kindergarten
1st Grade
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
At-School Programs

In addition to the nature programs we have developed for school field trips, Cub Run and Sully Woodlands have even more to offer.

Pre K and Kindergarten

Discovery Hunt:
Preschool (4 yrs. & older) - 1st Grade The main objective of "Discovery Hunt" is to use our senses to discover more about nature and the season. Our "hunts" use games, categorizing, and sensory activities to focus on colors, shapes, textures, sounds, and smells in nature. (1 hr) (VA SOL's K.1, K.2, & K.8)

Bugs and Slugs for Little Thugs:
Explore the many different small creatures that we find all around us. Very few of them are really "bugs", but rather beetles, millipedes, isopods, spiders, and worms. Examine these invertebrates close up and study the special adaptations of these animals. (1hr) (VA SOL's K.1, K.8 and K.9 or 1.5 and 1.7)

1st Grade

Discovery Hunt:
The main objective of "Discovery Hunt" is to use our senses to discover more about nature and the season. Our "hunts" use games, categorizing, and sensory activities to focus on colors, shapes, textures, sounds, and smells in nature. We focus on describing our world with words. (1 hr) (VA SOL's 1.4 & 1.5)

Bugs and Slugs:
Explore the many different small creatures that we find all around us. Very few of them are really "bugs", but rather beetles, millipedes, isopods, spiders, and worms. Examine these invertebrates close up and study the special adaptations of these animals. (1 hr) (VA SOL's 1.5 and 1.7)

Investigating Plant Life:
Discover the plants of the Cub Run trails through role-playing, hunts, and games. Depending on the season and the teacher's objective, the program can emphasize leaves, seeds, twigs, buds or flowers. (1 or 1-1/2 hrs) (VA SOL's 1.4)

Adaptation
From thorns and tendrils to teeth and talons, plants and animals are equipped with an amazing array of structures and behaviors to help them stay alive. We'll identify some survival adaptations during the introduction then search for more in various habitats of sully woodlands. (1 hr) (VA SOL's 1.5 and 1.7 )

2nd Grade

Bugs and Slugs:
Explore the many different small creatures that we find all around us. Very few of them are really "bugs", but rather beetles, millipedes, isopods, spiders, and worms. Examine these invertebrates close up and study the special adaptations of these animals. (1 - 1/2 hrs) (VA SOL's 2.4, 2.7)

Animal Habitats:
Study the meaning of "habitat", as defined by the need for food, water, shelter, and space, illustrated through a variety of activities. Cub Run and Sully Woodlands contain a variety of habitats. We will Search for habitat essentials of animals on the property and discuss their needs. (1-1/2 hours) (VA SOL's 2.5)

Life Cycles:
Explore up close the life cycles of insect, plants, birds, mammals, and/or amphibians. Emphasis is placed on the different types of development that take place in these living things. (1-1/2 hours) (VA SOL's 2.4, and 2.7)

3rd Grade

Bugs and Slugs:
Explore the many different small creatures that we find all around us. Very few of them are really "bugs", but rather beetles, millipedes, isopods, spiders, and worms. Examine these invertebrates close up and study the special adaptations of these animals. (1 - 1/2 hrs) (VA SOL's 3.4, 3.5, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8, and 3.10)

Animal Habitats:
Study the meaning of "habitat", as defined by the need for food, water, shelter, and space, illustrated through a variety of activities. Cub Run and Sully Woodlands contain a variety of habitats. We will Search for habitat essentials of animals on the property and discuss their needs. (1-1/2 hours) (VA SOL's 2.5 or 3.4, 3.5, and 3.6)

Investiagting Plant Life:
Discover the plants of the Cub Run trails through role-playing, hunts, and games. Depending on the season and the teacher's objective, the program can emphasize leaves, seeds, twigs, buds or flowers. (1 or 1-1/2 hrs) (VA SOL's 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, and 3.10)

Life Cycles:
Explore up close the life cycles of insect, plants, birds, mammals, and/or amphibians. Emphasis is placed on the different types of development that take place in these living things. (1-1/2 hours) (VA SOL's 3.4 and 3.8)

Water Exploration:
Ponds and streams are habitats teeming with life all times of the year. Through collection and observation, students will do a hands-on study of its aquatic creatures, particularly macro-invertebrates. Unique survival adaptations will be emphasized. (1- 1/2 hrs) Limited availability! (Possible VA SOL's 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8, 3.9, and 3.10.) Limited availability! GETTING WET AND/OR MUDDY IS POSSIBLE DURING THIS PROGRAM. PLEASE DRESS APPROPRIATELY!!!!

Adaptation:
From thorns and tendrils to teeth and talons, plants and animals are equipped with an amazing array of structures and behaviors to help them stay alive. We'll identify some survival adaptations during the introduction then search for more in various habitats of sully woodlands. (1-1/2 hrs) (VA SOL's or 3.4, 3.5, and 3.6)

4th Grade

Life Cycles:
Explore up close the life cycles of insect, plants, birds, mammals, and/or amphibians. Emphasis is placed on the different types of development that take place in these living things. (1-1/2 hours) (VA SOL's 4.5)

Adaptation:
From thorns and tendrils to teeth and talons, plants and animals are equipped with an amazing array of structures and behaviors to help them stay alive. We'll identify some survival adaptations during the introduction then search for more in various habitats of sully woodlands. (1-1/2 hrs) (VA SOL's 4.4 and 4.5)

Animal Habitats Virginias Resources:
Study the meaning of "habitat", as defined by the need for food, water, shelter, and space, illustrated through a variety of activities. Cub Run and Sully Woodlands contain a variety of habitats. We will Search for habitat essentials of animals on the property and discuss their needs. We will also discuss habitats as natural resources and how mans needs interact with the needs of animals. (1-1/2 hours) (VA SOL's 4.5, and 4.8)

Investigating Plant Life:
Discover the plants of the Cub Run trails through role-playing, hunts, and games. Depending on the season and the teacher's objective, the program can emphasize leaves, seeds, twigs, buds or flowers. (1 or 1-1/2 hrs) (VA SOL's 4.4 and 4.5)

At-School Programs for Winter and early Spring

Flat rate $100 up to 30 students second program the same day $75.

Wonderful Worms!: Pre school- 3rd Grade
This program brings worms out from underfoot and into the children's hands! The distinct adaptations of earthworms and night crawlers will be highlighted, along with their value as decomposers. And, we'll construct a classroom worm habitat for the children to observe throughout the following weeks. (1 hr) (VA SOL's K.1, & K.10 or 1.1, and 1.5, or 2.1 and 2.5 or 3.1, 3.4 3.5 and 3.7) Limit 30 students

Fossils and Ancient Epochs: 5th grade
(Can be adapted for other grades) This program introduces students the rock cycle and how different rock types relate to the formation of fossils. Students will work in cooperative groups with fossil specimens that need to be identified as coming from a specific geologic era and create fossil replicas for the class to keep. (1 hr.) (VA SOL's 5.1 and 5.7) Limit 30 students

In addition to the nature programs we have developed for school field trips, Cub Run and Sully Woodlands have even more to offer.

We can provide your school with:

1. Guided nature field trips of any length:
   • Topics other than those mentioned above can be arranged with naturalist provided they some how relate to the natural sciences.
   • We can come to you at your site a local park or the natural site of your choice.
2. A place to conduct your own natural investigations with your class.
3. A place for students to conduct independent research projects.
4. Safe well structured service projects for school clubs.
5. Activities that may be scheduled for hours other than school meeting times (after-school and weekends).
6. A guest speaker for class time or events.
7. Teacher training opportunities in the natural sciences. (Provided you have 6 interested teachers a class can be scheduled at your convenience.)

If accommodations and/or alternate formats are needed, please call 703-324-8563, at least 10 working days in advance of the registration deadline or event. TTY 703-803-3354.

Social Studies and Cross Curriculum offerings Historical Programs

Stream Side Settlers
Program will highlight the importance of waterways for transportation, food supply and commerce through the centuries. We will talk about American Indians, Jamestown and other early Virginia settlements and their dependence on water. We will walk to Cub Run stream valley for an up close look at the stream and a ruined mill. (possible VA SOL's Social studies 2.9, 2.7 Virginia studies VS1 and VS2.)

Digging up Virginia
Discover the techniques used by archeologists to learn about Virginia's history from archaeological excavations and primary historical sources, using Jamestown's findings as an example and local ruins as hands on look. Sign up early! Class sizes may be limited. (possible VA SOL's Social studies 2.2, 2.3 Virginia studies VS3.)

Call Cub Run RECEnter, 703-817-9407, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. for details and registration.