FAQs About Education Programs

Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers!) about Off-Site Education Programs

Q: Does The Raptor Center (TRC) do live bird programs?

A: Yes. The Raptor Center reaches 150,000 people with education programs, many of which are not at The Raptor Center but at schools, churches, festivals, etc.

Q: What birds does The Raptor Center bring?

A: The Raptor Center has a variety of species of education raptors, including red-tailed hawks, American kestrels, peregrine falcons, a merlin, barred owls, great horned owls, Eastern screech owls, a barn owl, a northern saw-whet owl, bald eagles, a golden eagle, and a turkey vulture. An assortment of species will be brought to your program. Specific raptor species can be requested but not guaranteed.

Q: What does The Raptor Center charge for educational programs?

A: Charges depend on the number and species of raptors included in the program, the number of programs we do, and the location of the program, as follows:

• Three raptors, such as an owl, hawk, and falcon (not including an eagle): $275
• Four raptors, including a bald eagle: $375
• Each additional consecutive program on the same day at the same site: $100 each (up to four programs)

Additional charges will be applied if the program location is more than 50 miles from The Raptor Center.

Q: Does The Raptor Center travel out-of-state to do programs?

A: Yes. TRC staff members travel all over the country, but your organization would be expected to pay the resulting fee/travel expenses.

Q: Does The Raptor Center do programs on evenings/weekends/outdoors, etc.?

A: Yes. The Raptor Center schedules daytime or evening programs seven days a week, indoors or outdoors. During the summer, outdoor programs should be in areas where the birds can be in the shade, such as under a tent or a large tree.

Q: Does The Raptor Center offer programs/activities longer than one hour?

A: Yes. TRC offers booth programs that can last up to four hours. Raptors are perched out and visitors can ask questions about raptors and The Raptor Center. The Raptor Center also will do up to four stage-style programs at the same location on the same day. Additional programs or specialized longer programs can be arranged.

Q: How much notice does The Raptor Center require to schedule a program?

A: TRC asks for two weeks notice, but has scheduled programs with less notice.

Q: What space requirements are there for a program?

A: For a stage-style program, there needs to be an eight-foot table or two six-foot tables set up in the room for the bird crates to be placed on. It is preferable if the table(s) are set up in a location where there will be little or no movement behind the birds. There needs to be at least 10 feet between the birds and the audience. For a booth program, space needs vary depending on location.

Q: Do The Raptor Center require a deposit? When do we pay?

A: No, The Raptor Center does not require a deposit. You'll receive a confirmation/invoice shortly after the program is scheduled and be asked to send The Raptor Center a check 10 days before the day of your program.

Q: What if we have to cancel?

A: Please let The Raptor Center know as soon as possible. The education department will do its best to reschedule the program or issue a refund if you¿ve already paid and given us two week¿s notice. If you do not wish to reschedule and do not give two weeks notice, a $55 cancellation fee will be assessed.