Educational Programs
The American Wildlife Refuge features professional education programs for a wide variety of curriculums and ages. Our programs can be custom tailored to your curriculum needs. We average 130 programs per year, seen by 250,000 people.
We have written educational partnerships with many local organizations, including Boy Scouts of America, Coastal Pines Girl scouts, Wake County Public Libraries, YMCA after School Programs, Y-Guides, and more. We have done hundreds of programs for the Wake County Public School System, and are on their list of educators. We are regularly asked to teach at local private schools like Raleigh Progressive School, and Montessori Schools. We are also seen at parks like Falls Lake State Park, Umstead State Park, and Jordan Lake State Park, Oakview County Park, Blue Jay Point County Park, Lake Wheeler City Park, Bond Park in Cary, and more; where we are often requested to do programs. We do quarterly presentations for North Carolina WIldlife Resources Commission, and also do a yearly presentation to State Park Rangers, teaching them about Raptors. We have also done presentations at the North Carolina State Fair in cooperation with NC Widlife and with the 4H Camps. We have done auditorium presentations and the NC Museum of Natural History and the NC Museum of Art.
Program types available include:
Stories, Folk lore and Tall Tales:
Our primary educator, Steve Stone, does several different shows based on his experience as a wildlife rescuer, educator, and storyteller. Below is a listing of several separate presentations, each done within a single “Class Hour”
Storytelling:
A tale of adventure with a background of birds. Whether it is a tale of a lost Indian boy, or the adventures of Beanca the eagle, lost in a strange land, the birds become part of the story, some even act out their roles.
Rescue Tales:
Hear stories of some of our wildest rescues and wildlife adventures.
Tall Tales and short tails:
Hear old fashioned folk tales and tall tales about birds of prey, and see the truth and falsehoods of the stories
Owls on the Prowl:
Afraid of things that go bump in the night? In this owls-only presentation kids hear the night sounds an d see who makes them as they are told stories and shown the truths behind the legends of the night.
Requirements and Rules of Education Shows
1) There must be a minimum of 10ft x 10ft empty area for the birds as a safety area. We sometimes rope off or tape off the area, but we do require it to be clear of all obstacles.
2) When we do an off site show, no matter how many shows we do for an organization in a day, we will only set up one time and place. That means that if there are different groups, they must relocate, we do not set up the birds, and then move them for each show.
3) If it is a fair type event (an event with multiple presenters), we will not allow portable sound amplification systems near our exhibit. Portable systems almost always have trouble, cause feedback, and upset the birds.
4) When our animals are on site there can be no pets or animals loose on the premises. Leashed pets and controlled animals are allowed. Our animals are always controlled, so we require the same of others.
5) If we set up a show, the agreed upon date is taken off of our available schedule. Since we often have to turn down shows due to other previously committed events, once a show is confirmed, the fee must be paid, even if the event does not occur. The signer is responsible for the fee even if the company does not agree to pay.
any other specific items will be addressed in the setup discussions.
Standard Presentation Costs
Cost Cost/ NPO Audience Size Add.shows (each)
$240.00 $120.00* up to 60 $100
$400.00 $200.00* 61-100 $150
$480.00 $240.00* 101 or more $200
Add $25.00 per county outside Wake county for travel fees! (outside Wake County) shows
*only Schools, Park Systems, Libraries, and other service non profits qualify for this special rate
