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Pennsylvania

Animal Adventures in the Poconos With Your Grandchild

Program No. 23650RJ
If you and your grandchild love animals, you’ll love this program in the Poconos. Learn about wolves, birds of prey and other wildlife as you observe them and their habitats up close!

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At a Glance

The mountains, lakes and forests of the Poconos of Pennsylvania are home to a wealth of wildlife, from wolves and beavers to eagles and hawks. Gather your animal-loving grandchild and head to your mountain retreat for a week-long animal adventure. Find out how rehabilitation centers and preserves in the area help protect and care for the wildlife that live in the Poconos, and discover animal habitats like a beaver lodge, a bat cave and an eagle’s nest. Observe the ecosystem in person on a nature hike, and visit a local farm to meet and touch domesticated animals like Gunther and Wilhelm (the workhorses) and Janie the mule.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to three miles on mostly flat, but sometimes rocky, terrain.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Visit the Lakota Wolf Preserve to learn about wolf behavior as you observe four packs of wolves playing (and maybe even howling) around you.
  • Go on a 3-mile scenic nature hike with a biology professor along the Appalachian Trail as you learn about edible vegetation, geology, wildlife and plants.
  • Wake up with an optional morning stretch each day, and enjoy evening activities like s’more-making by the fire, live music and movies.

General Notes

The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for early morning exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, a live performance or event, and a value-priced single room.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Rick Koval
Rick Koval is a longtime resident of Luzerne County and a professional naturalist, consultant, wildlife photographer and award-winning outdoor writer. He was the director of land conservation for the North Branch Land Trust before becoming the head naturalist for Skytop Lodge in the Poconos. Rick is a local television personality as a naturalist on the popular show, “Pennsylvania Outdoor Life.” He is currently writing a book on the native orchids of the Poconos.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Rick Koval
Rick Koval View biography
Rick Koval is a longtime resident of Luzerne County and a professional naturalist, consultant, wildlife photographer and award-winning outdoor writer. He was the director of land conservation for the North Branch Land Trust before becoming the head naturalist for Skytop Lodge in the Poconos. Rick is a local television personality as a naturalist on the popular show, “Pennsylvania Outdoor Life.” He is currently writing a book on the native orchids of the Poconos.
Profile Image of Midge McClosky
Midge McClosky View biography
Midge McClosky is the cultural program director for the Shawnee Institute, executive director of the Shawnee Playhouse, and the artistic director of the Worthington Players. Before moving to Shawnee, Midge worked as a professional actress, singer, and dancer performing musical theatre in 49 of the 50 states. Her extensive credits cross over into film, television, commercials, voiceovers and live industrials. She and Chris, her husband of more than two decades, have two grown sons.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.





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