Kentucky Down Under is committed to providing an hands-on, interactive, learning adventure for everyone that visits us but we also offer several programs that we can bring to your location or venue if you are unable to come to the park. Here are some of the programs that we offer.

| OUTREACH PROGRAMS | TEACHER & SCHOOL SERVICES | STUDY GUIDES & ACTIVITIES | SCOUT PROGRAMS 

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

Fun. Educational. Reasonably priced. It's Kentucky Down Under's Outreach Programs. The knowledgeable Kentucky Down Under staff travel throughout Kentucky and surrounding states to bring educational programs to a variety of venues including (but not limited to) Schools, Churches, Corporate Meetings and more. Each program lasts approximately one hour and includes live animals, storytelling, demonstrations, and more. Programs include:

LAND DOWN UNDER - is an introduction to Australian history, and culture, and animals.

MOVIN' & GROOVIN'- explores how and why animal bodies are designed to move in certain ways.

PREDATOR or PREY - discusses food chains and webs, and the relationship between predator animals and their prey.

ANIMAL ALLIANCES - looks at our relationship with animals through the ages and our responsibilities to those that we keep as pets.

Audience size is limited to 200 or fewer people per program.

$375 per program

$550 two programs

$700 three programs

$800 four programs

Rates are based on consecutive programs in the same location. Mileage charged at a rate of .45 per mile outside of a 50-mile radius.

Special Outreach Programs

DIDGERIDOO WORKSHOP
Kentucky Down Under is excited to offer a NEW DIDGERIDOO WORKSHOP. Your class can make and learn to play their own Didgeridoo. Workshop size is limited to 30 people and cost are - $300 for the first, $450 for two programs, $550 for three and $650 for four consecutive programs. Mileage charged at rate of .45 per mile outside of a 50-mile radius.

TALES & TAILS PROGRAM
Kentucky Down Under will travel to your location with a wonderful Australian story and animal for your audience. All programs last about an hour and audience size should be limited to 50 for ideal interaction. Programs are $225.00 (plus mileage for facilities outside a 50-mile radius). Discount for multiple programs available.







TEACHER AND SCHOOL SERVICES -

| KENTUCKY DOWN UNDER CORE CONTENT ASSESSMENT | EDUCATIONAL RATES | POLICIES | PLANNING YOUR DAY | STUDY GUIDES & ACTIVITIES 

A trip to Kentucky Down Under takes students on a unique journey through the wonders of Australia. Children have unforgettable encounters with the continents unusual creatures, as they learn about the culture and wildlife of the "Land Down Under."

The staff at Kentucky Down Under will work closely with you to organize a field trip that specifically targets your groups particular interests and helps you meet Core Content for Assessment Goals. You can download a full copy of our revised Core Content here. We also strive to eliminate some of the "hassle" of organizing a field trip by creating a customized itinerary based on what you want to see and how much time you have, we pick up and deliver your lunches directly from your school bus to our picnic areas and we can even provide lunch for you through our catering services.

Educational Rates -  

Educational Rates apply to certified school or educational groups of 15 or more. You will receive one complimentary ticket for each 10 paid child admissions. Bus and Motor Coach Drivers are admitted free.

Category Grade Rate
Adults Out of School $12.50
High School/College Students Grades 9-College $8.50
Students Preschool-8th Grade $7.00
Infant 2 and Under FREE

Group/EducationalPolicies -







Planning Your Day -

Groups will be divided in smaller groups comprised of approximately 25-30 people.  Itineraries based on the amount of time you have available and the activities that you pre-select with the Group Coordinator will be created for each group. The groups will have the opportunity to enjoy the same activities, but times may be staggered to avoid large crowds in any one area.   The teacher or group leader will be responsible for guiding the group throughout the park.   Kentucky Down Under staff will greet the group at each park exhibit to present that particular area or program. 

The following list will provide you with information about each area and activity offered at Kentucky Down Under - you may use this as a guide when making your reservations. When planning your day, remember to include at least 30 minutes upon arrival for unloading, bathrooms, and travel to your first areas.  If you will need additional time for snacks or transporting special students, please include it in your planning and notify us in advance so that we may incorporate it into your itineraries. KENTUCKY DOWN UNDER IS LOCATED IN THE CENTRAL TIME ZONE!! (This is the same time as Nashville, TN and one hour BEHIND Louisville, KY).







  • STUDY GUIDES AND ACTIVITIES

    Here are some activites to try with your classes before or after you visit Kentucky Down Under. Please check back soon for our new Teacher's Guide to Kentucky Down Under.

    | THE PERFECT ANIMAL | GROWING CORAL | BUIDLING A BAT HOUSE | FINGER BOOMERANGS | COLORING PAGES

    THE PERFECT ANIMAL

    Use your imagination - what would the perfect animal look like? Design an animal that would be the best designed to live in the Australian Outback. Remember to ask yourself questions like the ones below:

    Use a variety of things to produce your animal- Draw a picture, use clay, collage with magazine clippings, wallpaper scraps, feathers, etc. Be creative!

    When you're done, you'll have something to vote as "most Beautiful in the Bush"!


    GROWING CORAL

    Materials:

    Directions

    1. Place pieces of porous material in the bowl.

    2. Pour 2 Tablespoons water, 2 Tablespoons salt, and 2 Tablespoons of bluing over the base material. Set somewhere where air can circulate around your project.

    3. The next day, add 2 more Tablespoons of salt.

    4. On the 3rd day, pour into the bowl (NOT on top of the base), 2 more Tablespoons each salt, water, and bluing. Add a few drops of food coloring to each piece of base material.

    5. Crystals should form by day three. If not, you may add 2 Tablespoons of ammonia (Adults only!) to help the growth. To keep your formation growing, simply add water, salt and bluing from time to time.
    Coral polyps in the Great Barrier Reef use calcium carbonate to form the crystals that create the stoney cup that protects their bodies and forms the reef just like your water, salt and bluing formed crystals!


    BUIDLING A BAT HOUSE

    Bats are a lot of help in keeping insect populations down. Build your bat friends a house of their own, hang it up in a safe place in your back yard and watch them come out at night to eat up all those mosquitoes!

    Supplies:

    Cut Pieces:

    Assemble:

    1. Build an open box using the back, front and 2 side pieces. Nail the side pieces, angled edge up, to the outside edges of the front and back pieces.


    2. Nail the inside partitions to the roof. 2 ¾" from the front edge of the roof, center the 11" long partition and nail to the roof. The 12" partition is nailed next, ¾" from the first partition and centered on the roof. The 13" partition is next, 1" away from the second. Turn entire assembly so partitions point down and insert into box. Nail roof to edges of the box. Bats fly in from the bottom and roost between the partitions.

    FINGER BOOMERANGS

    Materials:

    Directions:

    1. Cut out boomerang patterns and trace onto index cards

    2. Cut out boomerangs. Bend tips gently upward.

    3. To Fly: Lay on the edge of a book and tip the book slightly upward. The book is the launching platform. Flick with your finger to make the boomerrang spin and fly. It should return to you. If not, bend blades upward a bit more.

    Patterns

    COLORING PAGES

    Click here to download the KDU Coloring Book







    SCOUT PROGRAMS

    Check back soon for our complete guide to Scouting at Kentucky Down Under