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Reservations, Sites & Scholarships Call-in Registration Taking reservations NOW! Please contact us at: (302) 422-0847 Fall/Winter Reservations (Programs Sept. 20 - March 11) - Mon., Sept. 6, 1:00-5:00 p.m. - Tues. & Wed., Sept. 7 & 8, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. - Thurs., Sept. 9, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Spring Reservations (Programs April 4 - June 10) - Mon., Jan. 2, 1:00-5:00 p.m. - Tues.-Wed., Jan. 3-4, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. - Thurs., Jan. 5, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Important Trip Tips Chaperones: 1/10 students (no cost); 1/5 students -Soil Sleuths (no cost). Teachers and chaperones are free. One chaperone per 10 students is required. Locations: Programs are conducted at Abbott's Mill Nature Center, Slaughter Beach, Lindale Tract near the Nature Center, Redden State Forest, and Blair's Pond. Weather: Programs are conducted rain, snow or shine. In the event of severe weather, the Delaware Nature Society may cancel the program and every attempt will be made to reschedule the trip. If this is not possible, a full refund will be made. Photographs: Delaware Nature Society reserves the right to use any pictures of students to promote Delaware Society's programs unless otherwise notified by parents. Abbott's Mill Nature Center sits on 76 acres of land including a 23-acre, pristine pond and the Delaware Nature Society's Cedar Bog Preserve. A variety of habitats and ecosystems can be found here including swamp, pine forest, meadow, pond, and stream filled with abundant life. Trails wind their way along the stream and through woodlands to meadows where wildflowers and insect life flourish. The Cedar Bog Preserve features rare plants and flowers such as swamp pinks and ladies slippers, preserved forever in the cedar and tuliptree forest. The historic gristmill is now in the process of being preserved. Abbott's Mill Nature Center is owned by Delaware's Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs in unique partnership with the Delaware Nature Society.Ê Click for Map & Directions. Sites Used for Abbott's Mill School Programs Blair's Pond Owned by the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife, Blair's Pond is one of several mill ponds in the Milford area. 64 acres of woods adjoin the pond and the Tantrough stream that flows from it. The loop trail, part of the Mill Ponds Loop Trail system, and a Millennium Trail, winds past the pond and joins with an old trail used by mail carriers in years gone by. The forest supports several ecosystems including lowland swamp forest and upland forest, as well as pond and stream habitats. Lindale Tract Preserve Owned by the State of Delaware and managed by the Delaware Nature Society, the 27-acre Lindale Tract Preserve features agricultural land as well as a wooded area, embracing Abbott's Pond on the west side. This is home to an oak-hickory forest that includes chestnut trees and a spectacular tuliptree. The trail through these woods is used for Native American studies and includes a life size Native American lodge. Visitors can easily visualize the life of Native Americans long ago. Isaacs Preserve This 20-acre tract recently donated to the Delaware Nature Society has large old white cedars and abundant wetlands. Home to beaver and other wildlife, this property is best viewed by canoe at the headwaters of Abbott's Pond. Pope Property Trail A short distance down Abbotts Pond Rd., this property has a loop trail that is part of the millponds loop trail system. This wooded trail begins with a meadow as part of a power line cut and winds its way to the Tantrough branch and Blair's Pond headwaters. Marvel Saltmarsh Preserve & Slaughter Beach Adjacent to Slaughter Beach is the 110-acre Marvel Saltmarsh Preserve, donated to the Delaware Nature Society through the generosity of the Harvey Marvel family of Milford, DE. Wildlife such as horseshoe crabs, fiddler crabs, diamondback terrapins, and shorebirds abound at this site and are explored with students in the beach ecology programs. The Delaware Bay is home to many interesting creatures that are discovered by seining. Costs We charge for a minimum of 15 students. Prices are per student and are listed in the program descriptions. There is a maximum of 60 students unless noted otherwise. - 60 minutes in length - Maximum 35 students - Program cost: As listed in the program description - plus travel fee of $15 within Kent and Sussex Counties; other locations higher. Payment: Full payment (non-refundable) for field studies or outreach programs is required 30 days prior to the program; payable by check, credit card or purchase order. There is a minimum charge for 15 students. - 10 a.m. on the first day to noon on second day or 5 p.m. on the first day to 4 p.m.on second day Deposit & Payment: 15-student equivalent non-refundable deposit is required to reserve an overnight or extended day program. Balance is due 30 days prior to the program. Payments may be made by check, credit card or purchase order. NOTE: Teachers and chaperones are free. One chaperone per 10 students is required. Cancellation: If the school group cancels within 30 days of the trip, fees are not refunded. For reservations, call 302-422-0847 Scholarships for Field Studies & Overnights Through the generosity of the Glenmede Trust, MBNA America, Premcor, PSEG, Wilmington Trust, Wal-Mart, Delaware garden clubs, and generous individuals, a limited number of scholarships are available for students attending programs. Money is available on a first come basis for individuals needing assistance. To apply for scholarship: On school letterhead, please provide the following information:
Abbott's Mill Nature Center Attn: Office Manager 15411 Abbott's Pond Rd. Milford, DE 19963 Fax: 302-422-1849 Call: 302-422-0847 © 2005 Delaware Nature Society |