Marvelous Maples

Five Rivers Guided Lesson

Marvelous Maples

Grades Pre-K - 3

This is a "hands-on" lesson on the process of maple sugaring. Some basic concepts of forestry and tree identification are covered. Students see and participate in the sugaring process and taste the sweet result. The class encourages appreciation of the environment, and how people depend on it and affect it.

Students use all five senses during this class: They watch the crystal-clear sap drip from the tapped trees, and smell the sap boiling in the evaporator. They use their hands to twirl a drill and pound a spile. They listen to stories about how sugaring is done today. And, of course, taste buds are used to sample maple syrup!

Marvelous Maples has a different format than other classes. It is 50 minutes long. Classes may be scheduled at 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 or 12:30 Tuesday - Friday. Classes are taught completely outdoors unless the weather is extremely inclement. In the event of bad weather, some of the class is taught indoors, but students will still go outdoors to see the trees and the evaporator.

To provide the most effective outdoor experience, we divide large classes into smaller groups. The maximum field party size allowed is 12 students per Five Rivers instructor. There must be at least one adult (teacher or chaperone) provided by the school for each field party of 12 students; two adults per field party are recommended.

Fee Schedule

A fee is charged to cover the cost of running the program. Please note that you are responsible to pay for the number of students originally scheduled, even if some are absent. The fee for the class is $2.00 per student (no charge for chaperones). There is a $20 minimum per group. Reimbursement is available through BOCES Arts in Education and Exploratory Enrichment Programs. Payment is due upon arrival unless prior arrangements are made through BOCES or school district purchase order.

For More Information

If you would like more information please contact Five Rivers
by phone at (518) 475-0291
or by email at mailto:5rivers@gw.dec.state.ny.us