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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Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
13 meals (
5B, 3L, 5D
)
4 expert-led lectures
8 expert-led field trips
5 hands-on experiences
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation, Class
Location:
Shawnee on Delaware, PA
Meals:
D
Stay:
The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort
Activity Note
Inn check-in available from 4:30 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:30 p.m. After you check in at the front desk and get settled into your room, join your fellow Road Scholars in the hospitality room to register with the program staff, get any updated information, confirm the time and location of the Orientation session, and socialize until the Welcome Dinner begins. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
At the inn.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Retreats program. Our programming at Retreat locations includes opportunities for light morning exercise, interaction with members of the local community, a farm-to-table meal, and evening entertainment. This is a Road Scholar Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Minors are never to be left unsupervised. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Next, we’ll gather for a class on animal safety to prepare us for our upcoming adventures. We’ll then have Q&A just for kids, get to know each other, and enjoy s’mores by the campfire out on the grand lawn. We’ll then settle in and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Alpaca Farm, Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Movie Night
Location:
Shawnee on Delaware, PA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort
Activity Note
Stretch session. Getting in/out of vans; driving about 15-30 miles, approximately 1/2 hour riding time each way. Walking up to 2 miles on mostly flat, even terrain as we explore the rehabilitation center.
Breakfast:
At the inn.
Morning:
After our morning stretch, we will board our vans and travel to the Pocono Creek Alpaca Farm. This 72-acre farm consists of both fields and forest and their respective ecosystems. There are currently 17 alpacas residing on the farm. People are invited to visit the farm to meet the alpacas, feed them provided treats, and learn about their history, use, and care. The experience is outdoors, and has limited walking but is entirely standing. The farm store sells items made from the alpacas’ fleece, including toys, yarns, home products, and garments. It is important that visitors understand this is a working farm with livestock and should not only dress appropriately but be ready to follow instructions and respect both the property and the livestock.
Lunch:
We will enjoy a boxed lunch in the picnic area between field trips.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will board the vans and travel to the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center where we can expect to see owls, hawks, falcons, or vultures, plus many species of native mammals and perhaps some reptiles with a staff member. Please note that Pennsylvania state law prohibits contact with mammals and birds, but we will see how they care for the wildlife. We will then return to the inn.
Dinner:
At the inn.
Evening:
We’ll watch a family-friendly movie with new friends and enjoy expert commentary to enhance the experience.
Day
3
Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, Concert
Location:
Shawnee on Delaware, PA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort
Activity Note
Stretch session. Getting in/out of a van; driving 20 miles, about 45 minutes riding time. Walking up to 2 miles, mostly flat, even terrain as we explore the preserve.
Breakfast:
At the inn.
Morning:
After our morning stretch, we will take a short ride to Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm. This is a unique opportunity for both children and the young-at-heart to see and touch a variety of farm animals including chickens, rabbits, goats, and pigs. We will get to know the workhorses, Gunther and Wilhelm, and meet Janie, the mule.
Lunch:
We will enjoy a boxed lunch outdoors.
Afternoon:
We will spend the afternoon getting our hands dirty at the farm! We will then return to the inn for dinner and entertainment this evening.
Dinner:
At the inn. Tonight's farm-to-table meal will be presented by our executive chef.
Evening:
We’ll attend a concert at Shawnee featuring local musicians. It might be anything from classical to doo-wop, bluegrass to rock and roll. Whatever the music, feeling the rhythm and hearing the notes is part of learning how to be a performer. For those who’d like a snack at their own cost after the concert, the Buckwood Café is open until 8:00 p.m. They make yummy homemade cookies, muffins, and breads.
Day
4
AT Naturalist Walk, Free Time, Park Ranger Workshop
Location:
Shawnee on Delaware, PA
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort
Activity Note
Hiking 3 miles in the morning; moderately rocky terrain, elevation gain under 500 feet, slower “learning” pace.
Breakfast:
At the inn.
Morning:
We will begin the day with an invigorating stretch. Led by a biology professor/naturalist, we will then set out on a 3-mile nature walk on the Appalachian Trail around Lake Lenape and into the town of Delaware Water Gap, which is a favorite stop for AT thru-hikers. On our scenic nature walk, we'll learn about edible vegetation, geology, wildlife, and exquisite plant life while observing ecosystems.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.
Afternoon:
Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions. The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort has many offerings, such as a spa, watercraft and bicycle rentals, and productions at The Shawnee Playhouse. The concierge and Group Leader can both assist you in finalizing these plans.
Dinner:
At the inn.
Evening:
We’ll gather for a presentation by a National Park Service ranger from the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Day
5
Lakota Wolf, Environmental Center, Pond Exploration
Location:
Shawnee on Delaware, PA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort
Activity Note
Stretch session. Getting in/out of a van; driving 30 miles, over 1.5 hours total driving time. Walking up to 2 miles, mostly flat, even terrain as we explore the preserve. Pond exploration at Kettle Creek.
Breakfast:
At the inn.
Morning:
After our morning stretch, we will board the vans and travel to the Lakota Wolf Preserve in nearby New Jersey where we will explore and learn about some of the world's most amazing animals through their educational Wolf Watch field trips. Upon arrival, we will enjoy a scenic 1/2-mile nature walk from the parking area to the preserve. At the preserve, we will be invited into the observation area located in the center, where we will observe 4 different packs of wolves. During the presentations, we will learn about the social structure of wolf packs, their eating habits, their interaction with man, and many other interesting facts about their behavior. While in the observation area, we will be able to watch the wolves play and interact with each other. We may be able to even hear them howl! We will also get to see and learn about the fox and bobcats that live at the preserve.
Lunch:
We will enjoy a picnic lunch.
Afternoon:
Then we will travel to the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center (KCEEC). Please make sure dress appropriately for the weather and for exploring outside. This should include sturdy footwear (no open-toed shoes please). Kettle Creek is a sanctuary, not a zoo; it’s a place where all things, both living and non-living, are protected in their natural habitats. The native animals are secretive and will stay away from noisy groups. If we stay relatively quiet, we may see turkeys, hawks, rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels, moles, snakes, raccoons, fish, turtles, deer, salamanders, or bears! We allow no collecting, only memories. After our hands-on adventure, we will then return to the inn for dinner.
Dinner:
At the inn.
Evening:
At leisure. After dinner, make sure to exchange contact information with your new friends so you can keep in touch. Prepare for check-out and departure after our closing session in the morning.
Day
6
Program Concludes
Location:
Shawnee on Delaware, PA
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Inn check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the inn. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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