School Programs

Nixon County Park is the only one of the eleven county parks that is set aside exclusively for environmental education. The Park offers an outstanding environmental education experience for area school students, homeschool students, teachers and administrators.  A wide variety of programs are available for school students as well as civic organizations.  The nature center does not currently provide programs for visiting summer camps, although you may visit the nature center with the guidance of your own staff.  Click here for PDF of summer fun museum scavenger hunt.

Field Trips

Registration Dates

Fall & Winter Field Trips (Sept 2023-Feb 2024): York County Schools begin registration August 1, 2023. Out of county schools begin registration August 9, 2023. 

Spring Field Trips (March 2024-May 2024): York County Schools begin registration December 1, 2023. Out of county schools begin registration December 5, 2023. 

Click here for a list of field trip programs and policies for the 2023-2024 school year.

If you are interested in scheduling a field trip or visiting with a group of ten or more on your own, click here to review the teacher's checklist and call the Nature Center at 717-428-1961 and ask to speak with a naturalist. We strongly recommend groups of 10 or more call in advance to schedule your visit even if you do not require assistance from park staff.  This way we can inform you of any parts of the grounds or nature center that will be closed, special events taking place, if there is an admission fee, or if spaces will already be in use by large groups to help you plan your trip accordingly. 

Please note that Nixon County Park Nature Center is closed on Mondays and staff will not be available to take registrations.

Field trips are free for groups located within York County.  A nominal fee of $2 per student is required for groups located outside of York County.  

Field Trip Policy Update Beginning July 2018: Naturalist-led field trips must have at least 15 students in a 3 grade or fewer grade range. Groups with students outside the grade range need to provide adult supervision for those children separate from the field trip programs.