The Institute

The mission of The Institute is to guide the people of the Cumberland Valley region to become stewards of their natural and cultural worlds. To achieve this, we:
• provide environmental and cultural education to elementary and secondary school children;
• support and conduct research on natural and cultural history;
• provide opportunities for adults to learn about the nature and culture of the region and the world beyond;
• present programs that inform and entertain the community.
Our hands-on, experiential learning programs create meaningful encounters with nature and with history. Using natural park areas and historic backdrops across the region, our professional instructors ensure authentic learning and long-standing memories for students of all ages.