Explore a watershed, learn about stream
ecology or visit with our animal ambassadors for your next field trip or scout activity.
Choose from a variety of field trip topics – all include associated tools to complete the activities - and enjoy a dedicated picnic space, free bus parking and more! Field trips are 9:30 – 11:30 AM with a one hour lunch period after.
Trips are $10 per student ($200 minimum).
- Animal Adaptations: Learn all about cool animal adaptions with up close looks at our animal ambassadors. Meets PA Standards 7.1, 3.1a, 1.8, 4.7.4, 3.3.4.
- It is Lentic or Lotic?: Students learn about lentic and lotic systems through hands on discovery in our pond and creek. We will discuss ecology and food webs. Students will use nets to catch, study and release aquatic life. Life cycles of the frog and dragonfly will be discussed. Meets PA Standards 4.1.4.A, 4.1.4.B, 4.1.4.C.
- Stream Exploration and Study: Grab your water shoes and join us for an exploration of the Darby Creek. We'll provide the nets and everything needed to discover the amazing creatures and plants that call the Darby Creek home. We'll take our finds back to our watershed lab and see what the microscopes and water tests tell us about the health of our stream. Meets PA Standards 4.1.4.C.
- Wetlands and Watersheds: Students will learn the functions of wetlands and watersheds with hands on STEM activities, stream and pond exploration, macroinvertebrate study and animal presentations. Meets PA Standards 4.1.4.A, 4.1.4.B, 4.1.4.C, 4.1.4.D, 4.1.4.E, 4.6.4.A, 4.6.4.C, 4.7.4.A.
Looking for Something Specific? We can customize a field trip just for your group! Fill out our inquiry form below.
Bring the Learning to YOU with Zoo on Wheels!
Bring Zoo and STEM to your school, organization, senior center, event, library and more. Live animals, STEM and cool artifacts bring learning to life. A catalog of programming options are available and programs are tailored to each audience and can be customized to meet curriculum standards.
- Animal Adaptations: Learn all about cool animal adaptions with up close looks at our animal ambassadors. Meets PA Standards 7.1, 3.1a, 1.8, 4.7.4, 3.3.4.
- Animals Around the World: Meet animals from around the globe. Meets PA Standards 7.1, 3.1a, 1.8, 3.3.4.
- Biomes Series: Do you want to explore the Forest, Grasslands, Freshwater, Desert or Tundra? Pick a specific biome or a series and students will learn about biomes through nature based STEM and visits with our ambassador animals.
- Scales, Shells and Fur: Learn all about reptiles and mammals. Get up close looks at our very own animal ambassadors. Meets PA Standards 7.1, 3.1a, 1.8, 3.3.4.
- Why Wetlands?: We bring the stream to you! Students learn the importance of wetlands through hands on STEM activities and our traveling stream machine. Meets PA Standards 4.1.4.A, 4.1.4.B, 4.1.4.C, 4.1.4.D, 4.1.4.E.
Looking for something specific? We can customize a Zoo and STEM on wheels visit just for your group! Fill out our inquiry form below.
Meet Some of Our Animal Ambassadors
Mushu
Bearded Dragon
Moira Rose
Rabbit
Casey
Chinchilla
Athena
Great Horned Owl
Sparky
Snapping Turtle
Fric and Frac
Guinea Fowl
The YMCA is committed to providing experiences for children and families to develop and foster a greater appreciation for the natural world. View select Creature Feature Videos of some of our animal friends at the Upper Main Line YMCA.
Nature & STEM Program Interest
Are you interested in bringing a group to the Environmental Education Complex or in having Zoo & STEM on Wheels visit your organization? Do you want to learn more about our Scout and Eco Club programs?
Please complete the interest form below and someone will be in touch soon.
Located on a scenic 54-acre property in Berwyn, the Upper Main Line YMCA Environmental and STEM Education Complex offers seasonal programming, summer camps and special events as well as outreach activities and field trips.
The grounds are open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week for exploration of our walking trails of the preserve.