The Falls of the Ohio State Park was created with educational and group experiences in mind. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers have been providing age and grade-appropriate educational opportunities since 1994. Programs include earth science and social studies, guided tours, speaking engagements, labs and more. All groups, tours, or schools visiting the Falls of the Ohio State Park are encouraged to make a reservation to ensure your experience will be of the highest quality without interference by another group.
Group Tours
We offer special experiences for tour groups with a menu of hands-on labs in our classroom, programs in our auditorium, and hikes on the fossil beds. FAM tours can be arranged at no cost. Drivers and tour operators are always free with a group of 10 or more. Click here to learn more, ask questions, or schedule your group.
Field Trips, School, Student, and Youth Tours
Educational Experiences at the Falls of the Ohio offer student groups and others an opportunity to connect to the natural environment, the ancient past, stories of our cultural history. Your group’s visit will align with many state and national educational standards including Indiana and Kentucky Science Standards. Groups who may face financial constraints can also apply for an Educational Experiences Grant from the Falls of the Ohio Foundation.
Indoor Programs
From mid-November through April, park staff offers your choice from three fossil labs, a mineral lab and an archaeology lab. Each lasts about 50 minutes, and meets state education standards.
Outdoor Programs
From May through mid-November (with typical weather and river levels), your group will experience an outdoor fossil lab or hike on the wondrous fossil beds. Programs run about 50 minutes.
Outreach and Visiting Your Site
The park’s team of highly trained Naturalist at Heart volunteers can visit your location, speak at an event, or provide a program about the Falls of the Ohio or a lab for students. Topics can range from general information about the park and the history of the Falls of the Ohio or related topics, to fossil labs that can be transported to your site and can be adapted to students, adults, and seniors. Distance limitations may apply.
Educational Experience Grant Opportunity for Your Group
The Falls of the Ohio Foundation, with support from the Sam Shine Foundation and other supporters, offers grants for a limited number of groups/schools to cover all program costs, including transportation (if needed) – meaning your group/class can learn about and experience the Falls of the Ohio at little or no cost.
Scheduling Your Group or More Information
All scheduled programs are led by an interpretive naturalist, assisted by our trained and capable Naturalist at Heart volunteers. Our maximum capacity for a group visit is 90 people. Please contact us if you have more students and we will discuss options. It is required that all groups, tours, schools visiting the Falls of the Ohio State Park must make a reservation to ensure your experience will be of the highest quality without interference by another group.
For reservations or more information contact Alan Goldstein, Interpretive Naturalist, agoldstein@dnr.in.gov or via telephone at 812-280-9970 Ext. 0.
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IN THE FALLS OF THE OHIO REGION.