Mobile Discovery Center available at Spring Mill

Elementary schools in North Lawrence, Mitchell, and Orleans will be able to reserve free access to a Mobile Discovery Center (MDC) at Spring Mill State Park this winter. Scout troops will be able to use the MDC at a discount.

Centered around an animal tracking theme, the MDC is a set of activities designed to engage students while reinforcing Indiana Academic Standards.

"This is a new outreach program for us," said Jill Vance, Spring Mill's interpretive naturalist. "We wanted a way to reach students during the winter months."

Flyers announcing the MDC were mailed to local principals this week. Schools and home-school groups can book the MDC during January, February and March by calling (812) 849-3534.

During the same months, boy- and girl-scout troops that book a private program at the park will receive a 25 percent discount off the regular program price.

Spring Mill has two program catalogs specifically tailored to scout troops. For girl scouts, program offerings support Try-Its for Brownies and Badges for Juniors. Catalogs for boy scouts support requirements for Tigers, Bears, Wolves, Webelos, and Merit Badges. Troop leaders should call (812) 849-3534 to request a copy.

If a troop is based in Mitchell, Bedford, or Orleans, and can't make it to Spring Mill, park staff can visit scout meetings with program, at a 15 percent discount, during January, February, and March.