Preschool students, with the supervised support of a Merry Lea educator (not pictured), sit on a frozen pond, investigating the ice and what’s below. Photo provided.

News Release

WOLF LAKE — Hear a tale and hike a trail at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College in Tales & Trails: a new program series for preschoolers and their caregiver(s). On the last Tuesday of each month, a Merry Lea educator will lead children and their caregiver(s) in a short story that incites curiosity before exploring different places around Merry Lea.

This 1.5-hour monthly program is designed for children ages 3-5, with younger siblings welcome to join, from 9-10:30 a.m. The first Tales & Trails program will be held Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Learning Center building (2388 S. CR 500W, Albion, IN 46701). This program is free and registration is not required.

Participants should be prepared for the weather and dress to be outside for part of the program time. After reading a book together, children and adults will hike along Merry Lea’s trails, engaging in hands-on activities along the way.

Merry Lea cares about the safety of their guests and staff and have implemented several protocols to protect everyone’s health during the program time. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, all participants including children ages 3 and older, are required to wear face masks for the duration of the program. They also ask that family groups and staff maintain 6 feet of distance at all times. Please self-screen before arrival and stay home if feeling ill or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. 

Tales & Trails is part of Merry Lea’s ongoing effort to get families outside to explore the marvelsof the natural world together. More information about the program can be found on our website at www.goshen.edu/merrylea/2021/02/tales-and-trails/.

Merry Lea provides environmental education for people of all ages to develop knowledge, behaviors and skills that will contribute to a healthier world. Our diverse ecosystems provide opportunities to explore landscapes and natural processes of northeastern Indiana, provoke interest in life-long investigation and encourage stewardship. These experiences in the outdoor world are shaped to help inspire exploration and foster a sense of wonder. 

Merry Lea offers many programs for the public that connect people to the outdoors through engaging environmental activities: including school programs, children & family programs, annual public events, seasonal public events and professional development opportunities for educators.

Merry Lea is located just south of Wolf Lake, halfway between Goshen and Fort Wayne. Directions and updates are available at goshen.edu/merrylea or the Merry Lea Facebook page. For questions regarding Merry Lea’s hours or new developments, contact [email protected] or (260) 799-5869.