Field Trips

Visiting groups can choose from a number of activities at the Museum, depending on objectives and time schedules.

Self-guided Tours and Trails - Reservations Accepted

• 1 hour Museum exhibit tour
• 1.5 hours nature trails: Download Trail Guide Here
• 2.5 hours Museum exhibit & trails

Allow at least one hour to complete a self-guided tour of the Museum.

Allow up to 1.5 hours to explore our nature trails! These trails meander through wooded bluffs, river bottoms, lakes, and scenic swamplands.

HANDS-ON PROGRAMS: Grades K-12

• Program reservations are required
• Please arrive at the Museum 15 minutes prior to program time
• Groups arriving less than 30 minutes late for a scheduled educational program may be able to receive a shortened version of the program. Groups more than 30 minutes late will forfeit their scheduled educational program.
• Programs are 30 to 45 minutes each 
   

Age-appropriate, curriculum-coordinated, hands-on presentations for groups of 50 students.

Teachers can choose from these topics:

• endangered species*
• mammals
• birds
• reptiles*
• fish
• invertebrates
• plants, or
• fossils.

*Reptile and Endangered Species programs are available for groups of over 50 students.

WETLANDS PROGRAM

The Museum offers an in-depth, hands-on wetlands program. During this experience, students learn to appreciate the importance of wetlands by becoming wetlands researchers at LeFleur's Bluff State Park and studying the area's soil, plants, and water. The program is available to groups of 10 to 25 students in grades 3 through 12.

• 1 hour 
• Small groups of 10-25
• Grade 3 and up
• Reservations required
• Please arrive at the Museum 15 minutes prior to program time

SCOUT PROGRAM (girl and cub/boy scouts)

The Museum can help your scout group of 10 to 25 earn badges naturally!

Call and book your group today. For more information, download the Girl Scout and Cub Scout flyer.

• Merit Badge Program
• Reservations required 2 weeks in advance

NOTE: Please make your reservations at least two weeks in advance of your visit. It's important that you arrive at least 10 minutes before your reserved appointment. All programs will begin at their scheduled start times. Call (601) 576-6000 for more details.

Because of staffing and facility requirements, it is important that you make your reservations at least two weeks in advance of your visit.

Make a reservation by calling the Museum at (601) 576-6030 or email for more information.

A helpful Teacher's Guide (coming soon) is also available for download.

INFORMATION NEEDED TO MAKE A RESERVATION

• School name and contact person
• Address and phone number
• Grade level and number in your party
• Requested date/time and an alternative
• Hands-on programs or tour selection
   

CONFIRMATION

We will email you a reservation confirmation, and you'll be asked to present a copy of it at the front desk when you arrive at the museum.

PROMPT ARRIVAL

Be sure you and your group arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled activity session. Please arrive at the museum 15 minutes prior to your program time.

We realize that change is inevitable and will always do our best to accommodate your requests for alterations to confirmations - however spaces and time slots are limited. 

Helpful Hint: Have your group wear the same color shirts.

Tell your students that the word "museum" comes from the word "muse," which means "to think".

During their visit to the Museum, they'll be thinking about Mississippi plants, animals, and habitats. Ask them to discuss what sort of things they might see. A museum is a place to think, to explore, to discover, and to learn.

Remind your students that appropriate behavior helps all visitors to focus their attention on the displays and to learn from their experience.

Go over the following list of museum guidelines with them, then ask if they can think of other ways to make their visit-and the visits of others-more enjoyable.

MUSEUM GUIDELINES

Your visit to the Museum will be more pleasant and valuable for your group and other visitors if everyone follows these guidelines:

• Food, drinks, candy, and gum are not allowed in the Museum.
• The museum is a tobacco-free facility.
• Always walk through the museum and on the nature trails. Please don't run.
• Be courteous and walk behind rather than in front of those who are viewing the exhibits.
• It is dangerous to touch or lean against the glass cases.
• Beating or tapping on the aquarium windows disturbs the fish and other inhabitants.
• Use pencils and pens only for writing on activity sheets provided by your teacher or the museum, and please do not use display cases or aquariums as a writing surface.
• Take your time and investigate the exhibits. Labels are posted for your information.
• Questions are always encouraged!

Please call Yolanda at (601) 576-6030 to make a reservation. 

A variety of programs are offered during a scheduled visit, including:

• Endangered species
• Mammals
• Birds
• Reptiles
• Fish
• Invertebrates
• Plants
• Wetlands
• Fossils
   

Other topics may be available upon request.

• Available to groups of 15 to 30 people.
• Correlated to the state science curriculum objectives and are both content and grade appropriate.
• Feature hands-on activities including observation of live and mounted specimens.

Punctuality is of the utmost importance.

• Please arrive at the museum 15 minutes prior to your program time.
• Groups arriving less than 30 minutes late for a scheduled educational program may be able to receive a shortened version of the program.
• Groups more than 30 minutes late will forfeit their scheduled educational program.

The Museum provides a Field Trip Guide* to Museum features, services, and procedures for planning field trips and making use of learning materials available for loan. *Updated version coming soon.

Check back here for events happening during the upcoming school year.