School program reservation for the 2012-2013 school year is now available.
Processing of program requests begins August 7, 2012 for Will County schools, and August 14, 2012 for out-of-county schools. Program requests for 2013 may be processed after October 1, 2012.
Please review the important information below prior to requesting a program with the
on-line School Program Request Form.
Reservation Procedures
Reservation requests are required at least two weeks in advance of your preferred date(s). Once a reservation is made, a program permit packet will be sent via email.
The Forest Preserve District does its best to accommodate all requests. However, due to program popularity, submission of a request form does not guarantee a reservation. Request forms are processed in a first-come, first-served order.
Teachers may need to be contacted for additional details or regarding date availability. When contact is needed, requested program dates are held for three business days to allow contacted teachers to respond. If contact is not made within the three business days, requested dates are made available to other parties.
If you have questions or require assistance with the reservation process, please contact the Centralized Booking Office at 815.216.0535.
Field Trip Program GuidelinesField trip programs are offered at the
Environmental Learning Center in Mokena,
Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon,
Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville, and
Plum Creek Nature Center in Beecher.
Programs are offered Tuesday through Friday during the months of September, October, April, May, and early June. Programs can start by 9:00 a.m. and must conclude by 3:00 p.m.
In addition to the length of the programs, please build in one hour for site introduction, lunch, and restroom use (for all sites except
Four Rivers Environmental Education Center). Use of Forest Preserve District picnic facilities is included as part of your program permit.
Chaperones play an active role in assisting staff. The chaperone/student ratio is 1:10 for field trip programs.
Student capacity varies for each site. Additional field trip days may be required to accommodate larger groups.
In-School Program GuidelinesIn-school programs are offered to Will County schools during the months of November, December, January, February, and March, Tuesday through Friday. Programs can start by 9:00 a.m. and must conclude by 3:00 p.m.
In-school programs are designed for the classroom and for 10 to 35 students. As many as three classrooms may receive in-school programs per day. Multiple visits may be required for multiple classes. A teacher or school staff member must remain present throughout the program presentation.
Program Fees and PaymentField Trip Programs:
In-School Programs: $20 for first program per day; $10 for second and third programs on the same date.
For field trip programs at the
Environmental Learning Center and
Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, payment is coordinated with the facilty staff and is handled directly at the facilities.
For field trip programs at the
Isle a la Cache Museum and
Plum Creek Nature Center and in-school programs, payment is due in full within ten working days from the issuance of the program permit packet unless other arrangements are made with the Central Booking Office. Payment may be made by check or credit card (Visa or MasterCard). Checks should be made out to the Forest Preserve District of Will County and mailed to the Central Booking Office, 17540 W. Laraway Road, Joliet, Illinois 60433. Credit card payments are taken over the phone at 815.216.0535. A receipt is e-mailed once payment is received and processed.
The Forest Preserve District reserves the right to invoice schools after the program date for balance due for unanticipated student count.
In the event you need to cancel and do not elect to reschedule for another date, the following refund policy applies:
- Over 30 days notice prior to program date: 100% refund
- 8-30 days notice prior to program date: 50% refund
- 7 days or less notice prior to program date: 0% refund
Proceed to On-line School Program Reservation FormPhotograph Courtesy of Glenn P. Knoblock
