SCHOOL & GROUP PROGRAMS

Hands-On Learning with Wildlife & Domestic Animals

Humane Indiana offers interactive programs for students from Pre-K through college, covering both domestic pet care and native Indiana wildlife. Programs can be held at your location or at our Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Valparaiso. Since launching our education initiative in 2016, we’ve proudly reached hundreds of thousands of students and community members—discover why so many schools and organizations choose us!

We offer a wide range of wildlife topics including:

  • Wildlife in My Backyard

  • Owls of Indiana

  • Nocturnal Wildlife

  • Animal Adaptations

  • How Rehabilitation Impacts the Big Picture

Programs can be tailored to meet curriculum goals and are aligned with Indiana Department of Education standards and STEAM initiatives.

  • In-school presentations begin at $225/hour

  • Field trips to our Center start at $200/hour
    Additional fees may apply.

For Scouts, Homeschoolers & Community Groups

Topics offered are the same as our school programs and can be customized to meet specific goals, such as badge requirements.

  • $10 per student

  • $5 per additional family member (age 4 and up)
    All donations directly support the care and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife, along with our permanent residents.

BRING YOUR CLASS TO THE CENTER!

Field Trips to the Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center

Just 3 miles off Rt. 49 in unincorporated Valparaiso, our Center provides an unforgettable learning experience focused on native Indiana wildlife and the challenges they face.

Field trip highlights include:

  • Guided tour of Education Ambassador enclosures

  • Up-close encounters with our animal ambassadors

  • Seasonal tours inside the Rehabilitation Center

  • Picnic tables available for lunch or classroom projects

  • $200 suggested donation per field trip

WE'LL COME TO YOU!

In-Class Wildlife Education

Let our educators bring the wild to your classroom! These engaging sessions support Indiana academic standards, promote environmental awareness, and instill compassion for wild spaces.

Program features:

  • 1–4 live ambassador animals

  • 30-minute to 1-hour presentations

  • Wildlife-themed activity books for each student

  • Customizable content to support STEAM and curriculum needs

  • Fees vary by program

RENT AN EDUCATION TRUNK

Add hands-on excitement to your lessons with our Education Trunk Rentals, available to schools, libraries, homeschool groups, and scout troops. Each trunk includes a themed curriculum and tactile learning materials like:

  • Animal skull replicas & furs

  • X-rays & dioramas

  • Books, games & activities

  • Interactive tools to engage students and enhance learning

Available trunk themes:

Mammals of Indiana

Birds of Indiana

Endangered Species

Great Lakes Coastal Ecosystems

Wildlife Rehabilitation

Each trunk can be rented for a two-week period by educators in Northwest Indiana.

Before You Return Your Trunk

Each Education Trunk includes an Inventory Checklist outlining all contents. Prior to delivery, Humane Indiana Wildlife staff verify and initial each item. We kindly ask that you do the same before returning the trunk to ensure all materials are accounted for.

Please note:

  • Certain items, like curriculum or activity books, are provided as master copies. Please make copies of any pages you wish to use, so they remain available for future educators.

  • While we encourage hands-on interaction—especially with replica items, feathers, and wings—we ask that students handle them respectfully.

  • Borrowers are responsible for replacing any items that are lost or damaged during the loan period.

📧 For questions about trunk contents, rental fees, or to reserve a trunk, email: education@humaneindiana.org

OUR EDUCATION PROGRAM REACHES ACROSS NORTHERN INDIANA

Humane Indiana’s School and Group Programs are trusted by schools and organizations throughout the region. Many invite us back year after year to educate students about the importance of wildlife and responsible pet care. We’ve proudly served the following counties:

  • Porter

  • Lake

  • LaPorte

  • Starke

  • Elkhart

  • St. Joseph

  • Newton

  • Jasper

  • White

  • Pulaski

  • Marion

School and Group Programs offer students a unique window into the world of wild and domestic animals. Reserve your program or Education Trunk today!