Homeschool Programs

Each year, Merry Lea hosts a homeschool series with 7 programs that cover a range of natural history and environmental topics on Merry Lea’s trails. Students spend significant time outdoors in Merry Lea’s wonderfully diverse landscapes and are grouped by age for trail explorations to provide age appropriate instruction.

Additionally, any of our standard field trips are available as a homeschool co-op program. Contact us for more information.

*Both our Homeschool and Jr/Teen IMN programs are for students only and are designed as drop-off programs. We do have public events that are available for the entire family to enjoy if desired.

2025 – 2026 Homeschool Series 


*Please note we are now offering morning (9a – 12p) & afternoon (1p – 4p) sessions on each program date. 

#1: Insect Investigation

Investigate insects and learn about their many features! Explore the wonders of these tiny creatures by netting for them in a prairie to identify them and learn about their anatomy. Afterwards, create your own insect from recycled and natural materials. Join us to totally bug out!

Date: September 11
Location: Farmstead | 2152 S 425 W, Albion, IN 46701

AM Registration  PM Registration

#2: Nature’s Recyclers

Come explore various ecosystems to learn how everything in the natural world is eventually broken down into small basic parts. Get up close with some wriggly recyclers, and discover why decomposition is such an important process in nature!

Date: October 9
Location: Learning Center | 2388 S 500 W, Albion, IN 46701

AM Registration  PM Registration

#3: Marvelous Mammals

Join us in marveling at the mammals of Indiana here at Merry Lea! Explore their habitats on a hike, learn about how they prepare for winter, what signs that they leave behind and more!

Date: November 13
Location: Learning Center | 2388 S 500 W, Albion, IN 46701

AM Registration  PM Registration

#4: Winter Nature

Explore the wonders of winter! Students will explore how people, plants and animals cope with winter by using their senses in the wintery woods and meadows. Search for signs of life outdoors and discover survival strategies used by native plants and animals. Warm up inside while engaging in some fun winter-themed activities.

Date: January 22
Location: Learning Center | 2388 S 500 W, Albion, IN 46701

AM Registration  PM Registration

#5: Tracks & Scat

Get ready to go on a winter adventure to look for signs of animals! We will be exploring tracks that get left by animals and what type of scat we can find as well. We will be making our own tracks and spend some time hiking on our trails!

Date: February 19
Location: Learning Center | 2388 S 500 W, Albion, IN 46701

AM Registration  PM Registration

#6: Feathered Frenzy

Let’s soar into exploring our feathered friends! Examine feathers, talons and beaks up close, see what it’s like to have a beak, and learn to identify birds with binoculars and field guides with interactive avian activities!

Date: April 16
Location: Luckey’s Landing| 2300 S Stone St., Albion, IN 46701

AM Registration  PM Registration

#7: Bountiful Biodiversity

Join us at Merry Lea to discover the diversity of the plants and animals that live here! Go on a hike to look for signs of animals, and discover the different ecosystems they inhabit. Analyze some of our native plants up close, and see how they help build habitats.

Date: May 7
Location: Farmstead | 2152 S 425 W, Albion, IN 46701

AM Registration  PM Registration

Program Details

Ages & Times

Ages: 6 – 9 years
Times (AM & PM sessions available on each date): 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. – 4 p.m

*Note: Students ages 9 – 17 may join our Junior and Teen Indiana Master Naturalist program.
Both our Homeschool and Jr/Teen IMN programs are for students only and are designed as drop-off programs. We do have public events that are available for the entire family to enjoy if desired.

Registration

Cost: $6/child for each program
Sign-ups: Students can register for one or all of the programs.

Expectations for Participation & Conduct

We expect all students to demonstrate respect for fellow students and teachers at Merry Lea.

Outdoor education involves exposure to some natural hazards like trips and falls, insect bites and stings and irritating plants. Merry Lea educators try to minimize these risks. It is imperative that students listen to directions in order to maintain safety out on the trails and inside the facilities.

All offerings are aligned to Indiana Academic Standards, and are designed to support your student’s academic and outdoor learning. Please be sure to review our policies regarding scheduling, cancellation and program logistics on the registration page.