Nature Discovery & Service Learning Programs for Youth

The mission of the Junior and Teen Indiana Master Naturalist (IMN) program is to bring together natural resource specialists with young people, ages 9 to 17 years, to foster an understanding of Indiana’s plants, water, soils and wildlife, and promote volunteer service in local communities.

Merry Lea hosts two Junior & Teen IMN program series in collaboration with Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site.

These programs feature various nature topics for local youth to discover Indiana’s outdoor world through hands-on activities, outdoor investigations, volunteering, and learning from local experts across different career paths, interests and organizations.

Junior & Teen IMN 2024-25 Series

1. Conservation Research

For the past 4 years, Jason has been working with another researcher and undergraduate students to study the population of the endangered Blanding’s turtle at Merry Lea. This research has expanded our understanding of how many of these rare turtles live on the property and what habitat they use. This information will help guide conservation efforts aimed at supporting this and other wetland species at Merry Lea.

Session Experts: Jason Martin, Merry Lea
Date: September 12
Location: Merry Lea – Farmstead | 2152 S 425 W, Albion, IN 46701

2. Marvelous World of Trees

The marvelous world of trees is diverse in function, characteristics and uses. Students will become familiar with the major parts of woody plants and learn how to use a field guide to identify common trees of Indiana. Weather permitting, we’ll hike through the woods to identify and discuss common trees in their environment.

Session Expert: John Woodmansee, Purdue Extension Educator in Whitley County. John has made trees one of his areas of passion and specialty in his 28-year career.
Date: October 10
Location: Merry Lea Farmstead | 2152 S 425 W, Albion, IN 46701

3. Soil Microbiomes

The soil underneath your feet is alive and changing! Students will learn about soil and its microbiomes. We will examine the soil’s physical, chemical and ecological properties to discover what sort of macro and micro organisms live in the soils to develop microbiomes. Students will then engage in building a model soil microbiome.

Session Experts: Jeremiah Sharp, Public Programs Coordinator and one of Merry Lea’s Environmental Educators. He has a passion for many of the natural sciences and has a background in ecology and some geology. 
Date: November 14
Location: Merry Lea – Learning Center | 2388 S 500 W, Albion, IN 46701

4. Survival

Details TBA

5. Owls

Soarin’ Hawk Volunteer & IN Master Naturalist Ron Sides will take students to the skies and discuss all the owls native to Indiana and talk about how they are an important part of Indiana’s biodiversity.

Session Expert: Ron Sides, IN Master Naturalist & Tiffany Parker, Gene Stratton-Porter
Date: January 9
Location: Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site | 1205 Pleasant Point, Rome City, IN 46784

6. Wildflowers

Wildflowers are a huge part of the GSP story. Learn about the variety of wildflowers that call Wildflower Woods home and how they can be used in our everyday lives.

Session Experts: Lauren Oxley, Program Developer at Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site
Date: February 13
Location: Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site | 1205 Pleasant Point, Rome City, IN 46784

7. Frogs & Toads

Advance Master Naturalist John Lipasek will lead students through the fascinating world of frogs, toads and amphibians. Learn what makes a frog a frog and whether you can really get warts from toads. Weather permitting, a hike through the woods to see who is hopping around.

Session Experts: John Lipasek, Advance Indiana Master Naturalist
Date: March 13
Location: Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site | 1205 Pleasant Point, Rome City, IN 46784

8. Wonderful Wetlands

Students will learn all about wetlands, their importance and explore what lives in the shallow waters of the Hemingway Wetlands at Gene Stratton-Porter.

Session Experts: Tiffany Parker, Northern Regional Manager at the Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site
Date: April 10
Location: Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site | 1205 Pleasant Point, Rome City, IN 46784

Ages & Times

Junior IMN: ages 9 – 12 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Teen IMN: ages 13 – 17 | 1 – 4 p.m.

Junior and Teen IMN age limits are determined by the student’s age as of April 20, 2023. If there are different ages in the same family, the parents can decide which session they’d like their students to attend (together or separate).

Registration

Cost: $125/child for all 8 sessions
This covers books, snacks, patches for completion awards, administrative fees and various program supplies. Fee is due in full upon registration and is non-refundable.

Sign-ups: Students must register for the entire series (all 8 sessions), not individual programs.

Student Expectations to Receive Certification

• Participate in at least 6 out of 8 course sessions
• Complete volunteer service with a local or state natural resources organization
  • Junior IMN: 6 hours
  • Teen IMN: 12 hours
• Complete a pre- and post-survey during the first and last course sessions

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.

Masking is optional indoors and outdoors according to individual choice and health needs. Please be kind and respectful in all settings, and honor everyone’s choices about masking.

All offerings are aligned to Indiana Academic Standards, and are designed to support your student’s academic and outdoor learning. Please review our Scheduling Policies page with any questions about scheduling a program, cancellation policies, program logistics and registration.