During the school year, education programs are scheduled by the Education Coordinator at the Reserve. Please call (251) 928-9792 Monday thru Friday 8am-4pm to schedule programs. Due to the popularity of the programs, reservations should be made several months in advance if possible. The Reserve gives priority to Baldwin County Schools, but other schools are welcome if open dates are available. School programs are not scheduled on Baldwin County Board of Education, State or Federal Holidays.

School programs are offered Tuesdays through Fridays, during the school year August-May. K-8th grade teachers should choose either the morning session or the afternoon session (see below for times). Due to limited facility space, group size is limited to 38 students; larger groups will need to schedule more than one session.

Session Hours for K-8th grade:    
Morning Session    9am - 11am
Afternoon Session    12 noon - 2pm

Session Hours for High Schools:   
Field Studies    9am – 2pm

Unfortunately we are unable to reschedule groups due to inclement weather.  We sometimes have to modify our activities so that we are inside during heavy rain events.

We do not currently offer programs for pre-kindergarten groups. Pre-kindergarten groups who wish to visit will be self-guided. Due to limited facility space, groups who wish to do self-guided tours should schedule visits on days when other groups are not already scheduled. Unscheduled “drop-in” groups are not allowed during the school year.

There is no charge for education programs, but donations are gladly accepted. If donation is made by check please make payable to: Weeks Bay Reserve Foundation for K-12 Ed. Programs.

Pre-Planning for your fieldtrip to Weeks Bay Reserve

The education programs for school groups are hands-on activities that are designed specifically for each grade level and meet the Alabama Course of Study Objectives for Science. Because we rely on volunteers to help conduct our school programs we are unable to offer programs on subjects other than those in our curriculum.

Many of the activities will be conducted outdoors so all participants should dress appropriately for the weather conditions the day of your visit.
 
Wearing some type of insect repellent is recommended when you are outdoors. The Reserve does not sell or provide insect repellent for visitors so please bring your own.

Class behavior is the responsibility of the teacher and/or chaperones during the entire time of the group’s visit. Teacher/chaperone participation is required during the visit so please secure an adequate number of adults to assist your group. Please have at least 3 adult chaperones per class, but no more than 7 as space is limited.

If there are over 20 students in your party, please have them divided in two equal groups upon arrival.
 
Unfortunately, we do not have time in the program schedule for students to have break/snack during or between activities. Please make arrangements for your students to have their snack before arriving or after your session is over.
 
There are no drink or food machines at the Reserve. Picnic tables are located on the Reserve property on a first come first serve basis. There are no covered picnic areas. Visitors are not allowed to eat or drink inside the buildings.

There is no charge for education programs, but donations are gladly accepted. If donation is made by check please make payable to: Weeks Bay Reserve Foundation for K-12 Ed. Programs.