Special Request Programs

Plan Your Visit

Want to schedule a special program for your group? CCFPD welcomes all and is happy to provide programs that offer unique, hands-on opportunities to experience nature and history.

We offer Group Visits and Special Tours (educational programming and resources). These visits can be a club or special interest group. Ex: Boy or Girl Scout Group, Retirement community or senior living center, Church group, Library, Bus Tours, and more!

Special Note to Scout Groups - Participation in our programs may not fulfill all requirements for a badge or patch. Scouts may need to complete additional work in their pack or troop. Scout leaders must provide their own badges, patches, pins, belt loops, or awards. Scout groups must be accompanied by adult chaperones.

Program Topics

Program topics include, but are not limited to, those listed below. If you don't find the exact program topic that you are looking for, let us know. We are happy to work with you to design a program that fits your needs.

Program Topics
Environmental Trees, Habitats, Birds, Reptiles, Mammals, Insects, Letterboxing, Geocaching, Fishing, Native Plants, etc.
Cultural History, Museum, and Garden US History, Local History, Native Americans, Museums & Collections, Archaeology, Folktales, Letterboxing, Gardening, etc.

Registering and Pricing Guide

Special program requests and groups with 12 or more patrons are required to arrange visits with program staff prior to arrival. Requests for all programs, group visits, and tours must be made at least three weeks in advance.

60 to 90 minute program
$30 for up to 20 participants (+ $1.50 for each additional participant, up to 30 participants per program)

Guided Hike (45-60 minutes)
$25 for up to 20 participants ($1.50 for each additional participant, up to 30 participants per hike group)

Out of County Fees
An additional $10 will be added to program fees for out of county groups.

Guided Museum or Garden Tour (45-60 minutes)
$1.50 for each participant (maximum capacity: 50 participants per tour)

Self-Guided Group Visits
For self-guided tours of the Museum of the Grand Prairie or Homer Lake Interpretive Center, please arrange your visit in advance and notify the facility prior to your visit.

Contact Details

Jennifer Wick
Environmental Programs
Homer Lake Interpretive Center
Homer, IL
(217) 896-2455

John Bien
Cultural History, Museum, and Garden Programs
Museum of the Grand Prairie
Mahomet, IL
(217) 586-2612

Loan Kits

We also offer a variety of do-it-yourself resources including loan backpacks, loan kits, self-guided trail brochures, fishing poles, and more.

Visit Educator Resources for more information on loan kit availability.

Educator Resources

Traveling Educator

Can’t make it out to one of the preserves? Let us come to you! Many programs are able to be held at locations other than the Forest Preserves. Additional fees apply for locations outside of Champaign County.

Guided Hike, Museum, or Garden Tour

Guided hikes are available at all seven of the preserves in the Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Contact Jennifer Wick at [email protected] to schedule a guided hike.

Guided tours of the Museum of the Grand Prairie and the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens are available at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve. Contact John Bien at [email protected] to schedule a Museum or Garden tour.