Planning a Field Trip to the Nature Park
Situated on 55 acres of land along the Neuse River in Kinston, our park is ideal for field trips. We have a Nature Center, Planetarium, Health & Science Museum, fishing ponds, picnic tables, and plenty of room to run around and explore. 
From our underground cave to our giant replica of a mouth and digestive system, we offer an experience that students will be talking about for years to come!
Won't you join us for a day of exploration and fun!
What Can We Do There?
Our facility offers many opportunities for exploration. Those groups coming to our facility will walk through our Nature Center and Health and Science museum. Groups will need to bring chaperones to lead children through the exhibits. Chaperones are asked to encourage students to take their time at the exhibits and ask questions instead of rushing through them.
Plantetarium shows must be scheduled ahead of time.
Picnic tables are available for eating packed lunches.
We also have a climbing wall and ponds available for fishing and canoeing. For a list of activities, click here.
Souvenirs are sold at the Nature Center. The souvenirs range in price from $0.25 - $3.00. Drink machines are located at the Nature Center and a snack machine in the Health & Science Museum.
Neuseway Adventures—Our Program for Groups
Neuseway Adventures is our program for school and community groups of ten or more. The program allows guests to receive a guided tour of the Nature Center, a planetarium show, and a hands-on science activity (ex. nature hike, Neuse River exploration, etc.). Visitors will have time to interact with exhibits in the Science & Health Museum, as well.
Large groups will be divided into the different stations and will spend 45 minutes in each of the three areas. All activites are aligned to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study Objectives for the grade level of the student visiting. Neuseway Adventures generally starts at 9:30 and is over by 12:00. Starting and ending times can be adjusted based on the needs of your group. Groups may use our covered picnic shelter to eat lunch outside. We also have a playground area for children to enjoy after the program.
The cost of the program is $2.00 per student in Lenoir County and $3.00 per student outside of Lenoir County. There is no charge for teachers or chaperones. Please call (252) 939-3302 or email jparamore@lenoir.k12.nc.us to book the Neuseway Adventures educational program.
Follow these easy steps to schedule your field trip with the Neuseway Center.
1. Collect the following information to have on hand when you call us.
- Type of group (school, daycare, Boy/Girl Scouts, day camp, other)
- Number of students attending
- Number of chaperones attending (suggest one per every 10 children)
- Ages or grade of students
- Time you will arrive and leave
2. Our group calendar fills up quickly. Please call us at 252-939-3302 to reserve a spot for your group. (We will provide available dates when you call to schedule your trip.)
3. Prepare your students by making sure they are dressed appropriately (tennis shoes, comfortable clothes, etc.) and understand the rules.
4. Find an adequate number of chaperones (one per every 10 children) and brief them on our rules.
5. When you arrive, have students remain on the bus while a teacher/chaperone checks them in. Check-in is located in the Nature Center building.
6. Enjoy your visit.
