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Challenging and Enjoyable
Thank you for your interest in visiting the International Crane Foundation (ICF). Below you will find links to several pages that describe the tours that are available for school groups. We have extensive experience with school groups and will provide a tour that is both challenging and enjoyable for your students, scouts or club members.
Determine which tour is best for your group: ICF offers curriculum and tours based on grade levels. Each tour has applicable Wisconsin Model Academic Standards listed.
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Level I: Grades pre-school - 2
Level II: Grades 3 - 5
Level III: Grades 6 - 8
Level IV: Grades 9 -12
LEVEL I FIELD TRIPS (Grades pre-school - 2)
Download activity packets for level I field trips:
Arap Sang and the Cranes (598KB)
Meg in the Egg Coloring Book (210KB)
Student Pages (647KB)
Teacher Instructions (586KB)
To prepare for the field trip, ICF provides a specially designed activity packet free of charge. The level I activity packet, "Chick Chat" includes information about cranes and a variety of fun activities to excite students about cranes. Activities include a coloring book, crane puppet and puzzles. Activities in the packet can be used either before the field trip or as post-field trip follow-up.
ICF's field trips for pre-school through second grade classes will introduce your students to the wonderful world of cranes and the relationship among cranes, people, and the habitats on which we all depend.
An ICF Naturalist will greet your bus as you arrive. Large groups of students are split into smaller groups, each led by a naturalist who will assist you during your entire visit.
The field trip begins with a short slide show and introduction to acquaint the students and teachers to ICF and the natural history of cranes. A tour of our exhibit area will allow the students to meet and learn about all 15 crane species. ICF is the only place in the world where students have the opportunity to view all 15 species and discover the challenges and triumphs of conserving some of the world's most endangered creatures.
ICF Naturalists will also share the wonders of wetlands and tall-grass prairies with the students by leading them through our restoration area. While on the trail, students will glimpse into the past to see how people have changed the landscape over time, and just how important healthy wetlands are to cranes, people, and all living things. The entire tour lasts approximately two hours, but length can be altered depending on your needs and objectives.
If you would like to book a tour, please contact ICF's Visitor Programs Coordinator at (608) 356-9462, ext. 127 or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Level I field trips can assist you in meeting the following Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for grade 4:
Make observations, ask questions and plan environmental investigations (A.4.1)
Collect information, make predictions, and offer explanations about questions asked. (A.4.2)
Develop answers, draw conclusions, and revise their personal understanding as needed based on their investigations. (A.4.3)
List the components of an ecosystem, including the qualities of a healthy habitat. (B1.4.4)
Cite examples of how different organisms adapt to their habitat. (B1.4.6) Describe and give examples of natural resources; e.g., water, minerals, soils, air. (B2.4.1)
Identify environmental problems and issues. (C.4.1)
Identify people and groups of people that are involved in the issue. (C.4.3)
Identify and give examples of short-term and long-term solutions to a problem. (D.4.2)
Identify two or more ways to take positive environmental action; e.g., posters, letters, and speeches. (D.4.3)
Communicate with local, state, or national officials regarding an environmental topic. (D.4.4)
Explain how they can influence an environmental issue. (D.4.5)
Identify and describe examples of their environmental civic responsibilities and the actions they take to meet them. (E.4.1)
Understand how their personal actions impact their civic responsibilities toward the environment. (E.4.2)
LEVEL II FIELD TRIPS (Grades 3-5)
Download activity packets for level II field trips:
Student Pages Unit 1 (1041KB)
Student Pages Unit 2 (841KB)
Teacher Instructions (674KB)
To prepare for the field trip, ICF provides a specially designed activity packet free of charge. The level II activity packet, "Cranes, Kids and Wetlands" includes information about cranes, their biology, and wetland and prairie ecosystems. A variety of projects will engage students in crane conservation. Activities in the packet can be used either before the field trip or as post-field trip follow-up.
ICF's field trips for grades 3-5 will introduce your students to the fascinating world of biology and cranes, as well as the relationship among cranes, people, and the habitats on which we all depend.
An ICF Naturalist will greet your bus as you arrive. Large groups of students are split into smaller groups, each led by a naturalist who will assist you during your entire visit.
The field trip begins with a short slide show and introduction to acquaint the students and teachers to ICF and the natural history of cranes. A tour of our exhibit area will allow the students to meet and learn about all 15 crane species. ICF is the only place in the world where students have the opportunity to view all 15 species and discover the challenges and triumphs of conserving some of the world's most endangered creatures.
ICF Naturalists will also share the wonders of wetlands and tall-grass prairies with the students by leading them through our restoration area. While on the trail, students will glimpse into the past to see how people have changed the landscape over time, and just how important healthy wetlands are to cranes, people, and all living things. Your students will also learn how ICF scientists are continuously working to restore prairies and grasslands throughout the world. The entire tour lasts approximately two hours, but length can be altered depending on your needs and objectives.
If you would like to book a tour, please contact ICF's Visitor Programs Coordinator at (608) 356-9462, ext. 127 or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Level II field trips can assist you in meeting the following Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for grades 4 and 8:
Make observations, ask questions and plan environmental investigations (A.4.1)
Collect information, make predictions, and offer explanation about questions asked. (A.4.2)
Develop answers, draw conclusions, and revise their personal understanding as needed based on their investigations. (A.4.3)
List the components of an ecosystem, including the qualities of a healthy habitat. (B1.4.4)
Cite examples of how different organisms adapt to their habitat. (B1.4.6)
Describe and give examples of natural resources; e.g., water, minerals, soils, air. (B2.4.1)
Identify environmental problems and issues. (C.4.1)
Identify people and groups of people that are involved in the issue. (C.4.3)
Identify and give examples of short-term and long-term solutions to a problem. (D.4.2)
Identify two or more ways to take positive environmental action; e.g., posters, letters, and speeches. (D.4.3)
Communicate with local, state, or national officials regarding an environmental topic. (D.4.4)
Explain how they can influence an environmental issue. (D.4.5)
Identify and describe examples of their environmental civic responsibilities and the actions they take to meet them. (E.4.1)
Understand how their personal actions impact their civic responsibilities toward the environment. (E.4.2)
Identify environmental issue questions that can be investigated using resources and equipment available. (A.8.1)
Collect information from a variety of resources, conduct experiments, and develop possible solutions to their investigation. (A.8.2)
Use critical-thinking strategies to interpret and analyze gathered information. (A.8.4)
Explain how change is a natural process, citing examples of succession, evolution, and extinction. (B1.8.2)
Explain the importance of biodiversity. (B1.8.3)
Give examples of human impact on various ecosystems. (B1.8.5)
Describe major ecosystems of Wisconsin. (B1.8.6)
Explain interaction among organisms or populations of organisms. (B1.8.8)
Analyze how people impact their environment through resource use. (B2.8.4)
Recognize the economic, environmental, and other factors that impact resource availability and explain why certain resources are becoming depleted. (B2.8.5)
Explain how human resource use can impact the environment; e.g., erosion, burning fossil fuels. (B2.8.6)
Identify and analyze individual, local, regional, national, and global effects of pollution on plant, animal, and human health. (B2.8.10)
Define and provide examples of environmental issues, explaining the role of beliefs, attitudes, and values. (C.8.1)
Identify options for addressing an environmental issue and evaluate the consequences of each option. (D.8.1)
List the advantages and disadvantages of short-term and long-term solutions to an environmental issue or problem. (D.8.2)
Explain how personal actions can impact an environmental issue; e.g., doing volunteer work in conservation. (D.8.5)
Develop a plan for improving or maintaining some part of the local environment and identify their role in accomplishing this plan. (D.8.6)
Identify examples of how personal beliefs can influence environmental decisions. (D.8.7)
Formulate a personal plan for environmental stewardship. (E.8.1)
LEVEL III FIELD TRIPS (Grades 6-8)
Download activity packets for level III field trips:
Student Pages Unit 1 (1061KB)
Student Pages Unit 2 (841KB)
Teacher Instructions (736KB)
To prepare your students for their field trip, ICF provides a specially designed curriculum packet free of charge. The level III curriculum packet, "Cranes, Communities and Cultures" includes information about cranes and their biology, information about wetland and prairie ecosystems, and humankind's role in their protection. The packet also includes activities and follow-up projects.
An ICF Naturalist will greet your bus as you arrive. Large groups of students are split into smaller groups, each led by a naturalist who will assist you during your entire visit.
The field trip begins with a short slide show and introduction to acquaint the students and teachers to ICF and the natural history of cranes. A tour of our exhibit area will allow the students to meet and learn about all 15 crane species. ICF is the only place in the world where students have the opportunity to view all 15 species and discover the challenges and triumphs of conserving some of the world's most endangered creatures.
ICF Naturalists will also share the wonders of wetlands and tall-grass prairies with the students by leading them through our restoration area. While on the trail, students will glimpse into the past to see how people have changed the landscape over time, and just how important healthy wetlands are to cranes, people, and all living things.
During the level III field trip, you and your chaperones will play an important and active role in teaching your students. ICF provides question and answer sheets for the walking tour around our adult birds and nature trail. The entire tour lasts approximately two hours, but length can be altered depending on your needs and objectives.
If you would like to book a tour, please contact ICF's Visitor Programs Coordinator at (608) 356-9462, ext. 127 or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Level III field trips can assist you in meeting the following Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for grades 6-8:
Identify environmental issue questions that can be investigated using resources and equipment available. (A.8.1)
Collect information from a variety of resources, conduct experiments, and develop possible solutions to their investigation. (A.8.2)
Use critical-thinking strategies to interpret and analyze gathered information. (A.8.4)
Explain how change is a natural process, citing examples of succession, evolution, and extinction. (B1.8.2)
Explain the importance of biodiversity. (B1.8.3)
Give examples of human impact on various ecosystems. (B1.8.5)
Describe major ecosystems of Wisconsin. (B1.8.6)
Explain interaction among organisms or populations of organisms. (B1.8.8)
Analyze how people impact their environment through resource use. (B2.8.4)
Recognize the economic, environmental, and other factors that impact resource availability and explain why certain resources are becoming depleted. (B2.8.5)
Explain how human resource use can impact the environment; e.g., erosion, burning fossil fuels. (B2.8.6)
Identify and analyze individual, local, regional, national, and global effects of pollution on plant, animal, and human health. (B2.8.10)
Define and provide examples of environmental issues, explaining the role of beliefs, attitudes, and values. (C.8.1)
Identify options for addressing an environmental issue and evaluate the consequences of each option. (D.8.1)
List the advantages and disadvantages of short-term and long-term solutions to an environmental issue or problem. (D.8.2)
Explain how personal actions can impact an environmental issue; e.g., doing volunteer work in conservation. (D.8.5)
Develop a plan for improving or maintaining some part of the local environment and identify their role in accomplishing this plan. (D.8.6)
Identify examples of how personal beliefs can influence environmental decisions. (D.8.7)
Formulate a personal plan for environmental stewardship. (E.8.1)
LEVEL IV FIELD TRIPS (Grades 9 - 12)
Download activity packets for level IV field trips:
Field Guide (129KB)
Student Pages Unit 1 (850 KB)
Student Pages Unit 2 (675KB)
Student Pages Unit 3 (1037KB)
Behavior Data Sheet (550KB)
Teacher Instructions (757KB)
To prepare students for the field trip, ICF provides a specially designed activity packet free of charge. The level IV activity packet, "Crane Conservation: Studies in Crane Behavior, Genetic Diversity, and the Linkages between People and Cranes" includes an introduction to the study of ethology, genetics, the connection between cranes and humans, and information on cranes and their biology. The packet also includes a field guide to crane behavior that will help familiarize students with the unique behaviors that they will observe while at ICF. While most activities in the packet are designed to compliment your visit to ICF, some activities may be used before the field trip or as post-field trip follow-up.
ICF's field trips for high school classes will introduce your students to crane conservation, ethology, biology, ornithology, and the relationship among cranes, people and the habitats on which we all depend.
ICF Naturalists will greet your bus as you arrive. Large groups of students are split into smaller groups, each led by an ICF Naturalist who will assist you during your entire visit.
The field trip begins with a short slide show and introduction to acquaint the students and teachers to ICF, its international work, and the natural history of cranes. A tour of our exhibit area allows the students to learn about each species, their behavior, why they are endangered, and what ICF's role is in protecting these birds. ICF is the only place in the world where students have the opportunity to view all 15 species of cranes. While viewing the birds, students may have an opportunity to record crane behaviors as part of a group behavior study. This activity provides the opportunity for students to experience biology with hands-on techniques.
ICF Naturalists will also share the wonders of wetlands and tall-grass prairies with the students by leading them through our restoration area. While on the trail, students will glimpse into the past to see how people have changed the landscape over time, and just how important healthy wetlands are to cranes, people and all living things. They will also learn how ICF scientists are continuously working to restore wetlands and grasslands throughout the world. The entire tour lasts approximately two hours, but length can be altered depending on your needs and objectives.
If you would like to book a tour, please contact ICF's Visitor Programs Coordinator at (608) 356-9462, ext. 127 or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Level IV field trips can assist you in meeting the following Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for grades 9-12:
Identify questions that require skilled investigation to solve current problems cited literature or the media, or observed through personal observation. (A.12.1)
Describe the value of ecosystems from a natural and human perspective; e.g., food, shelter, flood control, water purification. (B1.12.2)
Analyze the factors that determine the number of organisms that can exist in a given area. (B1.12.4)
Analyze past and current trends in ecosystem degradation and species extinction. (B1.12.5)
Evaluate the importance of biodiversity. (B1.12.7)
Evaluate ways in which technology has expanded our ability to alter the environment and its capacity to support humans and other living organisms. (B1.12.9)
Evaluate the environmental and societal costs and benefits of allocating resources in various ways and identify management strategies to maintain economic and environmental sustainability. (B2.12.3)
Research individuals who have made important contributions to the field of resource management. (B2.12.13)
Compare the effects of natural and human-caused activities that either contribute to or challenge an ecologically and economically sustainable environment. (C.12.1)
Maintain a historical perspective when researching environmental issues; include past, present, and future considerations. (C12.3)
Identify a variety of approaches to environmental issues, evaluate the consequences of each, and select and defend a position. (D.12.1)
Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in regard to environmental problems and issues. (D.12.4)
Develop a plan to maintain or improve some part of the local or regional environment, and enlist support for the implementation of that plan. (D.12.5)
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