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Cave Spring is a 36 acre historic site and nature park located
in Southeast Kansas City. The area includes a nature center
with changing exhibits, picnic area, hiking trails, wildlife
pond habitat, butterfly garden, and small cave. We provide
a wide variety of interpretive and educational programs outlined
below, for students in a fun learning environment. Once you
have chosen the programs for your group you can print
and mail your reservation form with your check.
Let us design a program for you!
If you have a special area of study or interest … please
let us know! We have the resources to provide you with a program
designed to meet your individual needs. The effects of habitat
loss, animal adaptations, effects of water contamination and
water cycles are just a few of the topics we can address.
We are Project Learning Tree, Project Wild and Project Wet
certified
Cancellation / Inclement Weather Policy
Due to the nature of our scheduling we do not offer refunds
for cancellations. In the event of inclement weather you may
choose to reschedule, have an indoor program (class size permitting,
not available for self-guided tours), or receive a credit
to be used at any time in the future.
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Programs |
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The following programs feature a visit from a historical
character and presentations are given in first person.
Call Cave Spring for the latest updates 816-358-2283
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Fee: $3.50 per student
Maximum: 50 students
Minimum: 10 students
Time: 1 hour
Available: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Wednesday - Friday
Classroom presentation:
Fee: $4.50 per student
Maximum: 500
Minimum: 50
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Educational Programs
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O, Pioneers!
Fee: $3.50 per student
Maximum: 50 students
Minimum: 10 students
Grade level: K-3
Time: 2 Hours
Available: 9 am – 3 pm
Wednesday – Friday
April – October
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Visit the interpretive center with its history and
nature exhibits. Learn why Cave Spring was an important
part of the westward movement.
Take a nature hike to learn which plants and trees
were important to Pioneers and how they used them. See
the cave and spring just like the Pioneers did in the
mid-1800’s.
Then it's back to the center for a hands-on activity
that emphasizes the Pioneer values of economy and ingenuity.
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Osage Outlook
Fee: $3.50 per student
Maximum: 50 students
Minimum: 10 students
Grade level: 3rd & 4th
Time: 2 Hours
Available: 9 am – 3 pm
Wednesday – Friday
April – October
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“Long ago, back when the animals could talk and
people could understand them…” So begins the
Osage story of “How the Spider Symbol Cave to the
People.”
Students learn about the Osage viewpoint of humans
as an integral part of nature. After the story, it’s
into the woods for a nature hike, to look at the plants
and trees the Osage used. And, of course, to sniff out
spiders.
Then walk back to the nature center for a craft activity
that emphasizes the use of symbols in everyday life.
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Bird Basics
Fee: $4.00 per student
Maximum: 50 students
Minimum: 10 students
Time: 2 Hours
Available: 9 am – 3 pm
Wednesday – Friday
April – October
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Which creature has eyes that take up nearly half its
head? What animal has a skeleton that may weigh a mere
10% of its body weight? And who has the warmest, strongest,
lightest weight body covering of all?
Explore the exceptional adaptations of birds that enable
them to fly, to keep warm, and to procure food. Take
a nature hike, listen for bird songs, look for birds,
and find nesting sites.
Then, students make their own birds with a special
adaptation.
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Bugging Out
Fee: $3.50 per student
Maximum: 50 students
Minimum: 10 students
Grade level: K - 2
Time: 2 Hours
Available: 9 am – 3 pm
Wednesday – Friday
April – October
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There are more insects than any other group of animals
in the world, with over 900,000 species identified!
Students learn about the basic structure of bugs and
the magic of metamorphosis. On the nature hike students
look high and low for six-legged critters.
Back at the nature center they create their own butterfly
that emphasizes basic bug structure.
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"Tree"mendous Fun
Fee: $3.50per student
Maximum: 50 students
Minimum: 10 students
Grade level: 4th
Time: 2 Hours
Available: 9 am – 3 pm
Wednesday – Friday
April – October
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Can’t tell a pinnate from a palmate? Or, a honey
locust from a hackberry?
Learn the ins and outs of tree parts and the role they
play in the life of a tree. Out on the trails we’ll
cover the basics of tree identification and learn to
identify some common Missouri trees.
Students then make a colorful collage of leaf and tree
bark rubbings.
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Self Guided Tours
Fee: $1.50 per student
Maximum: 150 students
Minimum: 10 students
Time: 1 to 1½ Hours
Available: 9 am – 3 pm
Tuesdays only
April – October
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Your own self-guided tour begins with a visit to the
Nature Center to view the exhibits.
Then it’s outdoor fun along the hiking trails
as you lead your group on a nature and history scavenger
hunt that ends at the cave.
Cave Spring provides trail directions, and scavenger
hunt booklets for each student.
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