Photo Credit: Cameron Gillie
Youth and Education
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is an educational trail by nature. Its multitude of biomes, created by the receding glaciers, are natural classrooms all throughout Wisconsin. The Ice Age Trail sparks wonder and awe as it takes hikers past world-renowned glacial features and provides a lifetime of learning.
Connecting Youth with the Ice Age Trail
We believe strongly in sharing this natural story with tomorrow’s leaders through immersive, hands-on experiences.
1. Our Saunters Program
Saunters aims to honor Henry David Thoreau’s statement – “It is a great art to saunter” – while infusing core educational concepts into hands-on field experiences on the Ice Age Trail.
2. Our Think Outside Program
Think Outside is designed to provide a bite-sized introduction to the Ice Age Trail for teachers who are curious about how to get beyond four walls and weave in more of nature’s classroom into their curriculum.
3. Resources for Hike Leaders
These resources can provide a classroom teacher or hike leader with some additional tools designed to help elevate the learning before, during, or after a hike.
You can download the Companion Guide for Sauntering – an Ice Age Trail journal [PDF] for students and children to use as they explore the Ice Age Trail.
A collaboration of Alliance staff, Saunters teachers and volunteers developed the guide, which covers core concepts related to the natural environment and includes activities students can complete on the Trail.
All activities are connected to the Common Core and/or Wisconsin Model Academic Standards. A guide for hike leaders that details the connections to Common Core and Wisconsin Model Academic Standards is also available.
Most hikes also connect with the Alliance’s ColdCache program which is an exciting way to explore and learn about the many natural features along the Ice Age Trail.
If you are looking for a classroom-friendly activity that allows your students to experience the thrill of a treasure hunt, learn important navigational skills and develop an appreciation for Wisconsin’s fascinating Ice Age history, ColdCaching is for you!
The Art of Sauntering: Games and Activities
This hike leader’s guide to games and activities (downloadable PDF) offers plenty ideas for how to get and keep kids engaged while out for a hike or field experience on the Ice Age Trail. These activities are a wonderful way to begin a hike, keep a group together, spice up a destination, or occupy part of the group while the other part catches up. Adults will enjoy them as much as children!
These activities are reprinted courtesy of courtesy of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and were originally developed by Delia Clark and Pat Straughan for Shelburne Farms.
The following downloadable PDF playsheets were created by Education Outfitters as a result of generous funding for a grant project known as “From the Inside Out”.
Playsheet appropriate for the following age groups:
All Ages:
• Leave No Trace
• Ice Age Trail Bingo
• iNaturalist
• Plant Sketches
• Rainbow Photo Gallery
Elementary (5-10):
• Engage the Senses
• Forest Bath
Middle (11-13):
• Engage the Senses
• Forest Bath
• Get Social
• Hiker Lingo
High School (14-18):
• Glacier Word Search
• What Does the Future Hold?
• What-3-Words