STEM
ADVENTURE TRAIL
Explore the Lafourche and Terrebonne Loops, taking and sharing photos of your discoveries along the way to claim rewards like a free t-shirt and/or four free passes to the Bayou Country Children’s Museum. Remember to bring a backpack, water, sunscreen, bug spray, and a hat, and enjoy the many places to eat along the way.
HOW IT WORKS
EXPLORE
CAPTURE
SHARE
CLAIM
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WHERE TO START?
Pick up your FREE Adventure STEM kit at BCCM, LA Cajun Bayou or Explore Houma. Each kit will include a brochure with the trail map and a Bayou STEM project to take and complete. You will also be able to pick up STEM kits at some of the stops along each trail. Families will have the summer to complete the trail. Pictures at each site must be taken and sent to contactus@bccm.info.
FINISH ONE LOOP AND RECEIVE A FREE T-SHIRT
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FINISH BOTH LOOPS AND RECEIVE A FREE T-SHIRT + 4 FREE BCCM PASSES!
WHAT'S IN THE KIT?
The first 400 participants will be able to get a STEM Tool Kit to assist them in completing the STEM activities along the BCCM STEM Adventure Trail.
The kits contain the following items:
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Mini magnifying glass
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Bug-viewing capsule
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Measuring tape
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Paracord
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Sidewalk chalk
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Invisible Ink Pen with UV light
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Kid scissors
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Mini notebook
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Pencil Sharpener
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Mini colored pencils
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Glue stick
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Reusable Carrying Bag
WHAT TO DO?
Become a BCCM STEM Adventure Trail Naturalist!
A naturalist is someone who spends lots of time in nature, like in a marsh or swamp. They love studying plants, animals, bugs, and everything else they find there. They use their special tools, like magnifying glasses and notebooks, to learn all about the creatures and plants they see. They're like nature's best friends because they know so much about it and help protect it too!
Becoming a naturalist means exploring nature like a detective! You get to learn about plants, animals, and bugs by watching them closely. You can use cool tools like magnifying glasses to see tiny details. Naturalists keep notebooks to write down all the exciting things they discover. It's like going on a never- ending adventure in the great outdoors! Using you tool kit and our activity guide, you can explore the world around you along the BCCM STEM Adventure Trail!
LAFOURCHE LOOP
($) denotes payment required
LA Cajun Bayou Visitor Center
Experience Louisiana's Cajun Bayou like a local at our restaurants, where you'll be served from a big pot of gumbo, or at one of our many festivals, where you'll dance to live music and the Cajun beat. Meet our world class fishermen and take a charter fishing trip where you'll be guided to the day's biggest catch, whether it's speckled trout or redfish. Outdoor adventure along the bayou won't be complete until you've taken a swamp or airboat tour through our mysterious swamps, getting up close with nature.
Peltier Park
This vibrant park features ADA compliant playground equipment, inviting barbeque pits for savory cookouts, and an impressive lineup of sports facilities including six baseball/softball fields and three turf baseball fields. Families can enjoy quality time together at the children's playground, three covered picnic areas, and designated dog waste stations ensure a clean environment for everyone.With ample picnic tables and restroom areas, Peltier Park is your go-to destination for outdoor adventures!
Adley Landry Reservoir
Discover the perfect spot for a leisurely day out with family and friends amidst our breathtaking surroundings. With three covered picnic areas offering shade and comfort, you can savor delicious meals while taking in stunning views of the water. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the covered walkout, providing sheltered pathways for exploration even on rainy days. Our Life Trail offers a scenic route for those seeking a bit of exercise, while park benches scattered throughout invite you to pause and soak in the peaceful ambiance.
Jean Laffite Cultural Center
Check out one of the many events they have going on daily, or just pop over to feed the ducks and take a walk on the bayouside boardwalk. See how many alligators and turtles you can spot!
BTNEP: Farm Fridays
Join the BTNEP Native Plant Team at the BTNEP Nursery located at the Nicholls State University Farm to assist with growing native plants used in coastal restoration projects across the coastline of Louisiana. Chores include weeding, separating plants, watering, general farm chores, etc. Bring sunscreen and water and wear a hat to protect you from the sun. The BTNEP Nursery is only open during the Farm Friday events from 9am-12pm on the first Friday of each month. Visit our website for more info!
Bayou Country Children's Museum ($)
Louisiana culture comes to life at the Bayou Country Children’s Museum. Located in Thibodaux, Louisiana, this hands-on museum provides the type of recreational learning experience desired by parents and educators that has a lasting impact on child development. For children, play is a critical way to find out about new things. The ability to play is instrumental in scientific exploration, discovery and creativity. To learn more about the BCCM and our hours, visit our website.
Lockport Elevated Boardwalk
Walk among the plants and fauna into the swamp at the Lockport Elevated Boardwalk. The 440-foot boardwalk meanders through the swamp and offers a beautiful scenic setting surrounded by a variety of native plant and wildlife species. In the Spring witness the colorful bloom of the Louisiana Iris, or in the Fall capture the return of the bald eagle.
Oakridge Park (Golden Meadow Park)
Don’t forget your fishing line when you drive to this park! Fishing in the 40 arpent canal off the piers is a must, and there’s plenty of play equipment for the kids to enjoy too!
Zam's Swamp Tours ($)
We have one tour going out each day at 1:30 PM. The tour lasts around 2 hours. Our prices are $40 per adult and $25 for children under 12. Leashed pets are welcome. There are no vending machines on the premises, so feel free to bring any beverages / snacks you would like! Click here to learn more.
Nicholls Bayouside Park (Kayaks @ Nicholls)
It is the perfect place to launch your kayak or paddle board into Bayou Lafourche or take in the views of our magnificent bayou! Book your kayak today!
Laurel Valley Village Store
The Laurel Valley Store & Museum is generally open between 10:30 am-4:30 pm, subject to the availability of the volunteers who run the store. The store and museum have lots of fun things to offer, including feeding the chickens and goats, trains, old tractors, a public dock along the bayou across from the store, and lots of historic artifacts to view and learn about life on a sugar plantation along the bayou. It’s also a great place to take family photos. The number for the store is 985-446-7456. The tours line is 985-492-0782, and you can book tours or find more information about the site on our website at LaurelValleyPlantation.com.
E.D. White Historic Site
This National Historic Landmark, situated on the banks of scenic Bayou Lafourche near Thibodaux, was the residence of two of Louisiana’s foremost political figures: Edward Douglas White, who was governor from 1835 to 1839, and his son, Edward Douglass White, who was appointed to the United States Supreme Court in 1894 and served as chief justice from 1910 to 1921. An exhibit in this historic home tells the story of the Bayou Lafourche area, with features on the Chitimacha Indians, Acadian settlers, slavery, sugar cane plantations, and the White family. View our website for more information! Call in advance and fishing off the dock that overlooks Bayou Lafourche and games for kids are available upon request. 985-447-0915.
Lafourche Parish Libraries
Visit any library in Lafourche Parish and have the kids keep up with their reading through the summer! Lafourche Parish Libraries also have many programs going on throughout the summer. Click here to visit our website with more info!
Leeville Fishing Pier
Located under the LA-1 bridge, the Leeville Boat Launch is a great spot to launch your boat, kayak, or paddleboard. Renovated and completed in Spring 2022, there are 2 large boat launches that give you direct access to the water. Don’t forget to bring your fishing line for fishing!
Port Fourchon Public Boat Launch (View Finders)
You're invited to explore our viewfinders on the BCCM STEM trail! Enhance your adventure with our outdoor recreation information, featuring a handy viewfinder pic here. Don’t miss out on our Coastal Wetlands Park for more natural beauty and activities. For boating enthusiasts, check out our public recreational boat launch directory here. Additionally, explore our printable port map for easy navigation and site number searches. For example, search for Site 214 to find specific names and locations on the map. We have two free public viewfinders at the Irvin P. Melancon Public Boat Launch. Mounted on pedestals on the upper level of the bathhouse near the boardwalk along Bayou Lafourche, these state-of-the-art viewfinders allow you to spot black mangroves in the marsh or peer offshore at structures that help supply our country’s energy. Additionally, Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou offers the “Down the Bayou Adventures” trail with stops in Port Fourchon.
South Lafourche Veterans Memorial
The South Lafourche Veteran's Memorial is a beautifully landscaped memorial featuring a 122-foot granite wall monument with over 3,000 names of veterans of South Lafourche Parish.
Thibodaux Municipal Pool & Splash Pad ($)
For general membership, splash pad, and membership pricing, please call the Recreation Department at 985-446-7235 or the pool during regular season at 985-446-2205. Thibodaux Municipal Pool OPENS to the Public June 3 - July 28, 2024 (CLOSED July 4th) Cost details: $3 to enter the Thibodaux Pool & Splash pad, June 3rd - July 30th 2024, M-Sat, 1:30-4:30.
NOTICE: The pool will be closed for general admission due to hosting swim meets on the following Saturdays: May 18, May 25, June 1, June 22
TERREBONNE LOOP
Explore Houma Interactive Visitors Center
Start your Bayou Country adventure at the Houma Area Visitor Center. This interpretive center is your introduction to southern Louisiana. A local expert is here to guide you through all the sights, sounds and tastes of the area. Restaurant guides, local maps and suggested itineraries are all available to you. Be sure to snap a picture with the giant white shrimp boots - you can't miss it!
Greenwood Gator Farms ($)
Learn the history of the Louisiana Swamps. Find out how alligators are part of your life. Hold and meet a live alligator face to face! We also love to host events - from parties to weddings to seafood boils, we can host it all.
LUMCON: The Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium
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Drive down to the 'end of the road' in Cocodrie to take in the wonders of the DeFelice Marine Center, which serves as the research station of Louisiana's premier marine science and educational collaboration: LUMCON. The Marine Center is open for self-guided tours from 8:00am to 4:00pm seven days a week. You can meet animals in the aquaria, learn about Louisiana's marine and coastal sciences through educational exhibits, climb the observation tower for a bird's-eye view of the surrounding marsh and wetlands, and birdwatch from the pond boardwalk.
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Please note that the Highway 56 bridge at Robinson Canal is closed until further notice. Please use Highway 57/Grand Caillou Road as an alternate route when visiting. If you'd like detailed driving directions, please email information@lumcon.edu.
Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum ($)
The Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum celebrates the industries and traditions that collectively comprise our unique culture! The museum gift shop offers Louisiana-themed art, jewelry, clothing, and merchandise.
Acadian Deportation Cross Monument – Downtown Houma
Our Splendid Replica of the Grand-Pré Deportation Cross; The Acadian Memorial is the first of several international sites to erect a replica of the Grand-Pré Deportation Cross. The original Deportation Cross, near the Grand-Pré National Historic Site in Nova Scotia, marks the site of embarkation of over 2,000 Acadian farmers and tradesmen and their families in 1755.
Chauvin Sculpture Garden and Art Gallery
Drive down Bayou Petit Caillou to see the unique creations of folk artist, Kenny Hill. The Sculpture Garden houses over 100 concrete statues created by the hands of Mr. Hill, with common themes and patterns noted throughout many of the pieces. It is easy to spend hours studying the variety and depth of work created by Mr. Hill in just over 10 years. Adjacent to the Sculpture Garden is the Modern Art Installation area, which has seating and shade for picnics and enjoying boat-watching along Bayou Petit Caillou. Pack an ice chest, sunscreen, and bug spray and enjoy some time down the bayou. Visit their website for more info!
Cecil Lapeyrouse Grocery
On the way down the bayou in Chauvin, LA you'll discover one of Louisiana's Bayou Country's best hidden gems, Cecil Lapeyrouse Grocery. The store was established in 1914 and has been serving the community ever since. With lots of Cajun charm and a beautiful view of the bayou, what's not to love?!
Regional Military Museum ($)
The Regional Military Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to preserving the memory of local heroes who served throughout American history. From displays dedicated to the stories of local veterans to authentic military vehicles, there is no shortage of unique exhibits and authentic artifacts to bring historic global events to a local level.
Geocaching Stop
Geocaching is a free outdoor treasure hunt. Explore Houma through our unique GeoTour and discover our rich history, breathtaking landscape and diverse culture as you locate each hidden cache.With over thirty geocache locations to find, Houma offers one of only fifty GeoTours in the whole world. Complete our tour over many visits, or make a weekend out of it and enjoy Houma's great food and hospitable accommodations
Scarlet Scoop Ice Cream Parlor ($)
Feeling nostalgic for the classic ice cream parlor? Swing in to Scarlet Scoop for delicious treats such as Red Velvet Cake, Salted Caramel, and King Cake ice creams. Spend some time looking around the classic candies, homemade waffle cones and vintage decor.
PAC Kayak ($)
While we cater to the kayak community with our one of a kind “floating dock” and kayak rentals, we offer so much more. One of the top fishing destinations in the world, Pointe Aux Chenes is the place to be to catch redfish, speckled trout, flounder, drum and sheepshead, which are native to the area.
Cajun Man's Swamp Tours and Adventures ($)
Prepare yourself for a narrated adventure through the swamps and bayous with authentic Cajun music playing along the way. You will embark on your journey in a very comfortable 45-passenger vessel with a covered roof to keep you dry and cool during the hot summer months. Our Bayou Country has the most beautiful cypress swamps and bayous that Louisiana has to offer
Terrebonne Parish Libraries
The mission of the Terrebonne Parish Library System is to provide to all segments of Terrebonne Parish’s diverse population a comprehensive collection of library resources and services necessary to satisfy the evolving informational needs and recreational pursuits of the community, thus enhancing the quality of life in Terrebonne Parish.
Mandalay Walking Trail
Alligators, shorebirds, waterfowl, marsh and more can be explored as you trek the 0.9-mile out-and-back Mandalay Nature Trail!
Generally considered an easy route, this nature trail takes an average of 19 minutes to complete and will guide you through various habitats leading to a boardwalk overlooking splendid wetlands as far as the eye can see.
Enjoy solitude during quiet times of the day and become one with nature as you journey through the vast swamplands, wildlife refuges and ripping marshes of Louisiana’s Bayou Country.
The Bayou Country Sports Park Splash Pad
The Bayou Country Sports Park is presented by Terrebonne General Health System. For information on the hours of operation, please visit the website.
David Chauvin's Seafood Company & Shrimp Tour ($)
Imagine a fun and educational time where kids can learn to cull shrimp on a picking table, turning a hands-on activity into an exciting contest. In our shrimp shop, they’ll discover fascinating facts about shrimp and the vital importance of knowing where their seafood comes from. Understanding the origins of their food fosters appreciation for sustainable practices and supports the local seafood industry. To make the experience even more engaging, children can participate in a cool game of ISpy, hunting for hidden treasures around the shop, and enjoy the thrill of geocaching, searching for cleverly concealed items. This immersive experience not only educates but also entertains, making it a memorable time for kids and a great way to connect them with their seafood heritage.
Stop by Monday-Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. You can find information about our tour on Facebook at Down the Bayou Shrimp Tours.
Wetlands Discovery Center ($)
The Wetlands Discovery Center serves as a hub to increase awareness of the plight of Louisiana’s wetlands and the people that live there. To learn more about what you can discover, please visit their website.
