Programs

Jefferson Memorial Forest is an urban greenspace just 15 miles from downtown in Southwest Louisville. It encompasses over 6,700 acres, and is the base for environmental education, experiential education, and outdoor recreation activities for Louisville Parks and Recreation.

We have several program opportunities to inspire learners of all ages. Throughout the year, the Forest offers public programs such as orienteering, archery, survival skills, ca­noeing, and more. In the summer, we hold week-long day camps for youth beginning at age 7 including a variety of camp themes to spark curiosity and encourage a lifelong love of nature. During the schoolyear, our Naturalists also offer a variety of outdoor immersive field trip experiences which meet Kentucky Academic and Science standards. Click below to learn more about our available programming.

Resources

Public Programs

Jefferson Memorial Forest has a full schedule of year-round programs offered to the general public. We offer nature programs, outdoor skill workshops, guided hikes, recreational activities, and much more!

Summer Camps

Our summer camps combine summer fun with nature-based science education activities. We offer a variety of camps for ages 7 to 15. Campers will take on the roles of naturalists, scientists, and adventurers as they explore the Forest and the creatures that inhabit it.

Field Trips

JMF serves JCPS, pa­rochial and private schools, as well as homeschool, scout, and youth groups. All of our programs are hands-on, interdisciplinary, and correlated to KY Academic Standards and Next Genera­tion Science Standards.

Louisville ECHO

Louisville is Engaging Children Outdoors (Louisville ECHO) is a multi-partner environmental education and outdoor recreation initiative managed by Jefferson Memorial Forest, a unit of the Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation Department.