Annual Duck Parade Brings Smiles As Students Help Duck Family Reach Pond

April 30, 2026

Every spring, students at Milton Hershey School take part in a sweet tradition that helps a mother duck safely lead her babies to a nearby pond.

On Monday morning, students lined the hallways for the school’s annual “duck parade,” helping a mother duck and her ducklings safely travel from the school’s enclosed courtyard to a nearby pond.

The tradition began about ten years ago when a mother duck started returning to the courtyard each spring to lay her eggs. While the space is a safe nesting spot, there’s one problem: once the ducklings hatch, there’s no easy way for the family to get back out.

That’s where the students step in.

“There’s no way for her to get out. So, then we create a parade route for her,” Principal Amanda Smith explained. “Students line the halls, from the courtyard all the way out here to the water, and we guide her and her babies out so they can go out to the pond.”

The special event has become a favorite tradition among students, who eagerly wait each year for the duck family’s journey to the water.

“They're so excited about the ducks. They're so excited about being part of this,” Smith said. “They love watching them.”

After the parade, many students continue visiting the pond throughout the year to check on the ducks and watch the ducklings grow.

It’s a simple act of kindness that has turned into a beloved school tradition, proving that sometimes the smallest parades can leave the biggest smiles.