Junior/Teen Indiana Master Naturalist

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.

IMN Program Details

Ages & Times

Junior & Teen IMN: ages 9 – 17 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Junior and Teen IMN age limits are determined by the student’s age as of April 10, 2025.

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.

Register now!

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.

Cancellation Policy

Reservations for Merry Lea’s programs can fill quickly, and quality experiences require the help of staff and advance preparation. A last minute cancellation is disruptive and may prevent a waitlisted participant from coming. Due to the nature of the IMN program the program fee is due in full upon registration and is non-refundable.

2024-2025 Class Sessions

1. Prairie Management

What makes a grassland a grassland? Are there different kinds of grasslands? What does Merry Lea do to manage the grasslands we have? Why do we do those things? Explore questions like these and learn about the practice of ecological restoration at this IMN session.

Session Experts: Freya Bernston
Date: September 12
Location: Merry Lea – Learning Center | 2388 S 500 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
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, Merry Lea
Date: November 14
Location: Merry Lea – Learning Center | 2388 S 500 W, Albion, IN 46701

4. Survival

Daniel Schelinski, Naturalist for Lagrange county parks, will introduce the basic skills to survive in a wilderness setting. To appreciate these amazing places we have to be able to take care of ourselves, those with us and the environment itself. These skills will include leave no trace principals, ethical fire building, basic first aid, ad hoc shelter identification and construction, orienteering, and (weather permitting) cold weather survival.

Session Experts: Dan Schelinski, Lagrange County Parks Department

Date: December 12
Location: Merry Lea – Learning Center | 2388 S 500 W, Albion, IN 46701

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

All offerings are aligned to Indiana Academic Standards, and are designed to support your student’s academic and outdoor learning. Please be sure to review our policies regarding scheduling, cancellation and program logistics on the registration page.