ece field trips

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Early childhood EDUcation field trips

​field trip programming options, school-age field trips, ​programming options, field trips faq.

• Final # of students, total due, and signed agreement due 2 weeks before scheduled program date.      
• No refunds are provided for absent individuals after final # of students is submitted.
• Programs cancelled within 2 weeks of date or due to inclement weather may be refunded or rescheduled.
• All field trip programs are $8.00 per student.
• No, unlimited adult chaperones/teachers can attend for free.
• For field trip programs, we require at least a 1:5 chaperone student ratio (including teachers).
• Adult chaperones/teachers are responsible for supervision of student behavior and safety at all times while on WPNR property.
• WPNR is Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve at Saint Vincent College-a 50-acre nature reserve in Latrobe, PA that includes a Learning Center Barn and appx. 2 miles of accessible trails.
• Our mission is to foster environmental stewardship through education, recreation, and conservation.
• Programs that take place here include components that take place inside of the Learning Center Barn and around the trails and grounds.
• WPNR has bus parking, a water fountain, and restrooms at the Learning Center Barn.   
• Yes, classes are welcome to use the Lower Level Learning Classroom and/or the back patio for lunches or snacks after the scheduled program.
• Garbage must be properly disposed of (we require composting and recycling).
• There is no refrigeration for student lunches.
• Yes, we encourage classes to stay and explore the different nature play and explore areas around the Reserve.
• WPNR has over 2 miles of accessible walking trails, an array of wildlife habitats, multiple children’s play spaces, and a variety of gardens and educational areas to explore. Plan your own independent activities on the grounds or utilize our independent exploration kits free of charge!
• As you are exploring, we ask that you please be respectful of the staff and students participating in the WPNR-led program and keep in mind that an adult chaperone must be with students at ALL times. 
• Unfortunately, we do not have the staff capacity to lead independent exploration of the reserve, but we can recommend trails, play areas, and activities for you and your students. 
• Yes, we have binoculars, hand lenses, field guides, children's story books, and more that you are welcome to borrow to use with your students while exploring the WPNR grounds.
• Field trip groups will be charged for a minimum of 15 students and are allowed a maximum of 40 students per program or 80 per day with 2 programs (AM and PM).
• No! As long as your group meets the size and age restrictions, we welcome scout groups, home school groups, preschools, etc. 
• All programs are scheduled to begin at 10:00 am and last 1.5-2 hours depending on the program.
• GROUP A:                                                                  GROUP B: 10:00 am-11:30 am: WPNR Program                       10:00 am-11:30 am: Independent Exploration 11:30 am-12:30 pm: Lunch                                         11:30 am-12:30 pm: Lunch 12:30 pm-2:00 pm: Independent Exploration       12:30 pm-2:00 pm: WPNR Program
• Programs and field trips are scheduled April-October, Tuesday-Friday.
• Programs are scheduled on a first come first serve basis.
• You can request a program up to one year in advance.
• See program descriptions above. 
• All ECE programs consist of 4 stations: story, craft, outdoor, and wildcard.  
• School age programs include a station rotation through a variety of activities.  
• Our Early Childhood programs are designed for students in PreK-2nd grade (Ages 3-8) and our school age programs are designed for students in 3rd-9th grade.
• If a sibling is going to participate in the program, they must fit in the appropriate age group and be included in your final number and paid for with the full payment.
• Please no strollers during field trip programming.
• Most of our programs are able to be adapted for indoors.
• Rescheduling due to weather is dependent on date and staff availability. We do not preschedule built-in rain dates.

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

Win a Yeti, gift cards, and more in Our Teacher Appreciation Giveaway 🎁!

260+ Field Trip Ideas for Grades Pre-K Through 12 (In-Person and Virtual)

Get out of the classroom and explore the world!

Field trips are a quintessential school experience. You usually only get one or two a year so it’s important to do it right! Our roundups of unique field trip ideas have something for every age, subject, and interest. We’ve even got resources like permission slip forms and chaperone tips. Get ready to leave the classroom behind to take learning on the road!

Preschool Field Trip Ideas

Early-grade field trips help kids learn about the world and also teach them good field trip behavior. These are our top picks for the pre-K crowd, but many of the options on our kindergarten list are perfect for this age group too.

• Library: Not every student’s parents take them to story time. Schedule your own trip, and show kids that having fun isn’t hard when you have a library card!
• Farm: Whether you learn how vegetables are grown or where milk and eggs come from, the farm is always a hit.
• Grocery store: Go behind the scenes at the supermarket, and use this trip as the foundation for lessons on healthy eating.
• Park: From local playgrounds to majestic national parks, it’s always worth getting kids into the great outdoors.
• Children’s museum: This is the age group most children’s museums were designed for! They’ll love all the hands-on fun and excitement.
• Post office: Learn how mail is sorted and shipped, and teach students about stamps and other mail-related items.
• Bank: Money is a new concept for these kiddos, and they’ll be fascinated to step inside the vault and learn other bank secrets.
• Fire station: There’s just something about a fire truck that gets every little one excited.
• Nursing home: Is there anything sweeter than watching seniors and wee ones spend time together?
• Animal shelter: For kids who don’t have pets at home, this can be a good introduction to animals. Others will just enjoy the time with dogs and cats waiting for their forever homes.

Elementary School Field Trip Ideas

@mjdstoronto

These are the prime field trip years! Here are our favorite trips for every grade.

• 14 Kindergarten Field Trips (Virtual and In-Person)
• 15 First Grade Field Trips (Virtual and In-Person)
• 15 Second Grade Field Trips (Virtual and In-Person)
• 15 Third Grade Field Trips (Virtual and In-Person)
• 23 Fourth Grade Field Trips (Virtual and In-Person)
• 22 Fifth Grade Field Trips (Virtual and In-Person)

Middle and High School Field Trip Ideas

@salinasvalleybasingsa

For this age group, you’ll need to step up your game a bit. (They’ve probably already been to the zoo, the aquarium, and the art museum.) Try some of these locations, which offer educational, social-emotional, and real-life learning opportunities.

• Food bank: Hold a food drive, then arrange a trip to your local soup kitchen or food pantry. Volunteering makes for truly meaningful field trips.
• Recycling facility: In a time when reducing landfill waste is more important than ever, a trip to a recycling facility can help drive home the message.
• Theater: Many theaters offer behind-the-scenes tours for schools and discount pricing when you buy tickets in bulk. (Want to go virtual? Check out the Hamilton Education Program !)
• Community college: Parents sometimes take kids on college visits, but a community college trip offers opportunities for even more students to see themselves getting a higher education.
• TV station: Kids interested in communications or technology will find this completely fascinating.
• Courtroom: There’s no better way to understand the justice system than to see it in action.
• State or county capitol: Every government class should visit a local capitol to meet with officials and see how the government works.
• Local business: This can be a cool way to learn about managing a business, working with customers, or discovering how products are made.
• Wildlife rehab facility: Introduce students to the people who help injured wild animals recover and live free once again.

Virtual Field Trip Ideas

@edtech_tusd

The terrific thing about virtual field trips is that they eliminate so much of the hassle. No need to collect permission slips, arrange for buses, or recruit chaperones. Plus, they’re usually free!

• 40 Amazing Educational Virtual Field Trips
• 20 Terrific Virtual Art Museum Field Trips
• 18 Incredible Virtual Zoo Field Trips
• 15 Fascinating Aquarium Virtual Field Trips
• 3 Science Virtual Field Trips Let Kids Travel the World

Field Trips by Location

If you live in one of these cities, check out some of our favorite spots.

• 16 Cool Field Trips in Houston, Texas
• 21 Terrific Field Trips in Chicago, Illinois
• Top 10 Washington D.C. Field Trip Ideas

Field Trip Tips and Resources

There’s a lot to do when you’re organizing an off-site field trip. These resources are here to help.

• Preparing Parent Chaperones for a Field Trip
• Free Printable Field Trip and School Permission Forms To Make Your Life Easier
• Things To Do Before Taking Your Students on a Major Field Trip
• Mistakes To Avoid When Planning a Field Trip for Students
• Why I Hate Field Trips (And How I Learned To Deal)
• Help! Is There Any Way I Can Get Out of Our End of the Year Field Trip?

Bonus: Looking for a laugh? Check out  Ways School Field Trips Are Like The Wizard of Oz !

What are your favorite field trip ideas? Come share your thoughts in the  We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook !

Plus,  virtual college campus tours to explore from home ..

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Our Favorite Second Grade Field Trips (Virtual and In-Person, Too!)

Don't make fuss, just get on the bus! Continue Reading

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• Nature Center
• NATURE PRESCHOOL

School Field Trips

Attention teachers we are currently scheduling field trip programs at the environmental nature center and enc tucker wildlife sanctuary for the 2024-25 school year book now to assure your spot next school year, as our current school year calendar is very nearly full..

Field trips can be transformative experiences for students: Having the chance to get outside of the classroom, learn from passionate educators, and encounter new places and ideas can broaden the educational horizons for young learners.

The ENC presents field trip programs to preschool – 12th grade classes throughout the school year. The curricula for each program supports the Next Generation Science Standards for each grade level. Our unique grade-specific programs enable students to return year after year to build on previous learning. Students develop a coherent and scientifically-based view of the world around them as they engage in practices to build, deepen, and apply their knowledge. These core ideas build on each other, and on what they’re learning in their classrooms. We are currently scheduling field trip programs for the 2022-23 school year at the Environmental Nature Center.

Call (949) 645-8489 or email Mindy to schedule a program!

Field Trips at the ENC (Newport Beach)

Field trips at tucker (modjeska canyon), nature changes.

Children ages 3 to 5 learn that everything in nature changes. As they hike through the Center they learn about the life cycle of frogs and touch a real, live toad. They learn about the life cycle of butterflies and visit the butterfly house (seasonal). Children learn that snakes shed their skin to grow, examine snakeskin with a magnifying lens, and get to meet a real, live snake! They learn that mammals have fur to keep them warm when it’s cold, and gently touch the fur of several local animals. Along the trail children enjoy story time under the dappled shade of oak trees. $8/student. 10min/60max. 1hr

Ecosystem Investigators

Students will observe, analyze, and interpret patterns between what plants, animals, and humans need to survive. As they hike through our trails they will survey our meadow area to determine different types of food items animals eat in nature, build a model to demonstrate how animals and humans can change the environment, touch, smell, and taste different natural resource items, and enact how they can help reduce the impact humans have on the local environment. NGSS alignment: K-Ls1-1: LS1.C, K-ESS2-2: ESS2.E, ESS3.C, K-ESS3-1: ESS3.A, K-ESS3-3:ESS3.C, EST1.B. 1.25 hours, $9/student.Minimum 10/maximum 120.

Nature Detectives

Oh no! There’s a mystery at Tucker and our Naturalists need your students’ help! Students will examine clues, such as tracks, and meet a few of our ambassador animals to help solve a mystery. Length: 1 hour and 15 minutes

NGSS alignment: K-Ls1-1: LS1.C, K-ESS2-2: ESS2.E, ESS3.C, K-ESS3-1: ESS3.A, K-ESS3-3:ESS3.C, EST1.B. 1.25 hours, $9/student.Minimum 10/maximum 100.

Creature Features

On a hike through the Center, students participate in hands-on activities to learn how seeds are dispersed and grow into adult plants.   Along the trail, they observe the skulls of various animals to determine adaptations of how an animal detects sound and how adaptations of animals influence human problem solving. Students dress up for an animal “fashion show” to learn that animals have external features that help them thrive in different kinds of places. They visit a toad to talk about how the young look different from adults and must go through metamorphosis. Standards: 1-LS1-1, LS1.A, LS1.D, 1-LS3-1, LS3.A, LS3.B. $9/student. 10min/120max. 1.5hrs

Animal Habitats

Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary is home to so many different native insects and animals! For this program, students explore Tucker by mapping out all the places that animals could make homes, find food, and survive while meeting a few animal ambassadors along the way. Length: 1.5 hours

Standards: 1-LS1-1, LS1.A, LS1.D, 1-LS3-1, LS3.A, LS3.B. $9/student. 10min/100max. 1.5 hrs

Eco-Observers

On a hike through the Center, students map out landmarks, as well as where water has changed the shape of the land. In a hands-on experiment students discover that some landforms are created quickly and others develop over a time too long for a human to observe. They play a fun game to discover that most plants depend on animals for pollination and to move seeds around. They discover the importance of biodiversity and learn that there are many different kinds of living things in an area, and they exist in different places. Standards: 2-LS2-2, LS2.A, 2-LS4-1, LS4.D, 2-ESS1-1, ESS1.C, 2-ESS2-1, ESS2.A, 2-ESS2-2, ESS2.B. $10.50/student. 20min/120max. 2hrs

The Wonders of Plants

The “green blur” is when plants are seen as one mass instead of as the individuals that make up an ecosystem. In this program, students will learn how to look past the “green blur” to explore what makes plants unique. Students will discover the life cycle of a plant, test out how different seeds disperse, discuss why different plants grow in different areas, and observe pollinators! Length: 2 hours

Standards: 2-LS2-2, LS2.A, 2-LS4-1, LS4.D, 2-ESS1-1, ESS1.C, 2-ESS2-1, ESS2.A, 2-ESS2-2, ESS2.B. $10.50/student. 20min/100max. 2 hrs

Tongva Trail

3rd Grade Tongva Trail. Students travel back in time to learn about the tools, trade, and customs of the Tongva (Gabrielino) and Acjachemen (Juaneño) people of Orange County. Along the trail students see, touch, and smell the plants used centuries ago by Native Americans. They make string out of plants, use “rabbit sticks” to “hunt,” perform music using authentic Tongva instruments, make “money” using pump drills, and play authentic Native American games.  2 hours, $10.50/student, minimum 20/ maximum 120. (Standards: 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.4)

Animal Abilities

Students will participate in activities that help them understand that animals have unique characteristics and life cycles. These unique abilities help them interact with and survive in their specific environment. Standards: 3-LS1-1, LS1.B, 3-LS2-1, LS2.D, 3-LS3-2, LS3.B, 3LS4-3, LS4.C, 3LS4-4, LS2.C. $10.50/student. 20min/120max. 2hrs

3rd Grade Tongva Trail. Students travel back in time to learn about the tools, trade, and customs of the Tongva (Gabrielino) and Acjachemen (Juaneño) people of Orange County. Along the trail students see, touch, and smell the plants used centuries ago by Native Americans. They make string out of plants, use “rabbit sticks” to “hunt,” perform music using authentic Tongva instruments, make “money” using pump drills, and play authentic Native American games.  2 hours, $10.50/student, minimum 20/ maximum 100. (Standards: 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.4)

Adaptation Investigation

Biology is all about investigating and sometimes getting dirty. Students search for invertebrates in the soil or creek and hypothesize what adaptations help them survive in their habitats. Students also investigate plant adaptations through observations, experimentation, and nature journaling. Length: 3 hours

3 hours, $15/student, minimum 20/ maximum 100. (Standards: 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.4)

Native American Adventure

4th Grade Native American Adventure. Along the trail, students experience the technologies and lifestyles of indigenous people from throughout California. Using a mortar and pestle, the students grind acorns and “boil water” to leach them. They explore hunting methods and tools, practice making “fire” using fire drills, practice weaving baskets and mats. Students become archeologists, and dig for artifacts in the ENC’s midden. During a visit to the ENC’s green building, students enter a life-size Tongva dwelling and listen to a native California legend.  2 hours, $10.50/student, minimum 20/ maximum 120.  (Standards: 4.1.5, 4.2.1, 4.2.3, 4.2.5)

Natureology

Students explore science careers while participating in hands-on activities and experiments. They become botanists to study plant adaptations and wildlife biologists to study the adaptations of animals. As geologists they differentiate between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Students act as entomologists to examine the differences and similarities of preserved butterflies, moths, and beetles. As microbiologists they observe decomposing materials under a microscope to see the work of beneficial microorganisms. Students visit the ENC’s green building, to see how the staff recycles organic materials in our Composting Learning Lab! Standards: 4-LS1-1, LS1.A, 4-ESS1-1, ESS1.C, 4-ESS3-2, ESS3.B. $10.50/student. 20min/120max. 2hrs

4th Grade Native American Adventure. Along the trail, students experience the technologies and lifestyles of indigenous people from throughout California. Using a mortar and pestle, the students grind acorns and “boil water” to leach them. They explore hunting methods and tools, practice making “fire” using fire drills, practice weaving baskets and mats. Students become archeologists, and dig for artifacts in the ENC’s midden. During a visit to the ENC’s green building, students enter a life-size Tongva dwelling and listen to a native California legend.  2 hours, $10.50/student, minimum 20/ maximum 100.  (Standards: 4.1.5, 4.2.1, 4.2.3, 4.2.5)

Sensory Explorations (Structure and Function)

How do we experience the world around us? How does a plant or an insect? In this program students perform a dissection on a cow’s eye to learn how the structure of eyes relate to the function of seeing. Students also hike around Tucker to make observations on how different organisms interpret and interact with the world around them using their senses! Length: 3 hours

$15/student, minimum 20/ maximum 100.  (Standards: 4.1.5, 4.2.1, 4.2.3, 4.2.5)

Ecosystem Ed-venture

Students will perform water quality tests between two aquatic ecosystems. From those ecosystems, they will take water samples and look at them under a microscope. Along the trail, students learn about photosynthesis and transpiration. Students discuss the water cycle and water distribution, and play a game to learn about ways that water is polluted and cleaned. Standards: 5-PS3-1, PS3.D, 5-LS1-1, LS1.C, 5-LS2-1, LS2.A, LS2.B, 5-ESS2-2, ESS2.C. $12/student. 20min/120max. 2.5hrs

Everything is Connected

“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.”- John Muir. This idea is the essence of the academic field of ecology. Students will hike in the wilderness exploring our partner site, the Modjeska Wilderness Preserve, discovering how everything in nature is interconnected through abiotic testing, explorations, and nature journaling. Length: 3 hours

Standards: 5-PS3-1, PS3.D, 5-LS1-1, LS1.C, 5-LS2-1, LS2.A, LS2.B, 5-ESS2-2, ESS2.C. $15/student. 20min/100max. 3 hrs

Special Groups

Sensory journey (special needs).

Children & adults of all ages & abilities can join us for a Sensory Journey.  As we explore our Nature Center, we journey through our native habitats and provide opportunities to have personal encounters with our Animal Ambassadors:   maybe a toad, salamander, snake, or rabbit.  The journey is designed to invite the use of our senses to experience our native wildlife.  During Springtime, we may also visit our Butterfly House to experience butterflies & native plants up close.  This live animal encounter can be customized to meet the cognitive/physical needs of all participants:  from hiking our trails, to gathering in a quiet place out in our nature center, to having a circle time presentation in one of our classrooms.  Naturalists guide small groups limited to 10 participants & their chaperones, to provide a unique opportunity to engage with nature for all ages & abilities. $8/student. 10min/60max. 1 hr.

“Intro to Birding” (Home School Groups)

Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary was the home of Benjamin and Dorothy Tucker in the early 1930’s. Benjamin Tucker was the inventor of the hummingbird feeder and nectar recipe that is still used today. This class explores the Tuckers’ love of birds by learning about the different characteristics of birds, where they live, and how to be a good bird watcher.

• Grades: Kinder-High School
• Length: 1 hour

“Animal Showcase” (Home School Groups)

California is a biodiversity hot spot with many native plants and animals that can only be found right here in our state. Come explore a few of the native animals that call California home by meeting Tucker’s animal ambassadors. Students will learn about the different animals that live here and what adaptations they have that help them survive.

“Naturalist for a Day” (Home School Groups)

Naturalists are people who continually learn about the world around them. In this in-depth class, students will learn how to be a naturalist and about the ecology of the Santa Ana Mountains by conducting abiotic tests, observing animal adaptations, and going on a chaparral hike.

• Grades: 3 rd – High School
• Length: 2.5 hours
• $12/student

Middle School

Ecosystem examiners.

Students will conduct field research to assess the abiotic factors in two different California plant communities at the ENC. After conducting research, students will then compare physical features of each ecosystem and present their findings to their fellow classmates. With the newly gained information, students will design their own animal that can survive in that environment. Standards: MS-LS2-1, LS2.A, MS-LS2-2, MS-ETS1-2, MS- ETS1-3, ETS1.B. $12/student. 20min/48max. 2hrs

Fire Ecology

High school, nature surveyors.

Students will conduct field research to assess population diversity of plants and animals in two different ecosystems in the Nature Center. They will then organize their data collected to analyze biodiversity of each ecosystem. Standards: HS-LS2-2, LS2.C, HS-LS2-6, LS2.C, HS-LS2-7, LS2.C. $12/student. 20min/48max. 2.5hrs

Frequently Asked Questions:

But what about COVID-19?

Students and adults are NOT required to wear masks indoors or outdoors while visiting the ENC.  Our field trips only take place indoors in the event of heavy rain or smoke.

Do you offer any discounts for schools?

There is a 10% Discount for booking a program to occur in September. We also offer scholarships for Title I Schools to attend field trips at the ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary. Please also check out our Teacher Funding Resources page for grant opportunities that may offset the cost of your field trip.

Can we eat our lunch or snack at the ENC?

We do not allow schools to bring food on-site.  This is partly due to the fact that an abundance of crumbs on our grounds is not good for our local wildlife.  The other reason is that the ENC is committed to diverting 95% or more of its waste from the landfill. Please review our Zero Waste Policy prior to visiting the Center.  We recommend you visit Bob Henry Park across the street before or after your field trip – it’s a great place for a picnic!

What is your cancellation policy?

If you need to cancel your program for any reason, please email [email protected] so that we have it in writing.  We will respond via email that we received your cancellation.  If you do not receive a response to your email, please call (949) 645-8489 and speak with Mindy or Lori.  If cancellations occur at least two weeks before the program, no fees apply.  If cancellations occur within two weeks of the scheduled program, the minimum fee for the scheduled program will be charged.  Fees do not apply if cancellations occur due to inclement weather.

Do you require a deposit?

As deposit is required in order to secure a date on our programs calendar.  The deposit amount will be equivalent to the minimum fee* for the program and will be credited towards the final cost of the program.  This deposit is refundable in the case of the ENC needing to cancel the program due to unforeseen circumstances.  If a school cancels their field trip within two weeks of their scheduled date, the deposit will be used as a penalty fee and a new deposit will be required to reschedule the program.    If a school cancels their field trip with at least two weeks’ notice, the original deposit can be applied towards a rescheduled date.

*Minimum fees are:

Field Trips in Early Childhood

Course description.

Explores the developmental and programmatic benefits of field trips in early childhood programs. Demonstrates how field trips can build on child interests and contribute to children's developing knowledge of the world. Explores field trip possibilities, develops field trip protocols, and problem-solves common field trip issues. Audit available.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Summarize the developmental and programmatic benefits of field trips in early childhood programs. 
• Create positive field trip experiences for groups of children and their families by developing field trip protocols and problem-solving issues.
• Identify and resolve safety issues and/or barriers related to field trips for young children.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

Assessments may include: attendance, interviews, participation, written observations, journal reflections and written assignments.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

• Links between the developmental needs and characteristics of young children and field trip experiences.
• Addressing challenges and barriers.
• Field trip possibilities (on-site, within walking distance, within driving distance).
• Involving families in field trip experiences.
• Specific safety and programmatic considerations and requirements.
• Development and implementation of field trip plans.

Department Notes

Naeyc professional standards & competencies for early childhood educators:.

#4 - Developmentally, Culturally, & Linguistically Appropriate Teaching Practices

Oregon Registry Core Knowledge Categories:

LEC - Learning Environments & Curriculum (10 hours)

Field Trips and Outreach

Field trips and outreach programs with the arvada center.

Kindle your students’ creativity with hands-on arts workshops in drawing, painting, clay, sculpture, drama, music, and dance. Combine multiple workshops together or mix in a visit to our galleries, sculpture field, or theatre for young audiences to design a day of unique arts experiences tailored to your group. 

You can view our menu of options below and fill out this form to request a customized field trip quote: Field Trip Request Form

Price : Workshops are priced at $5.50 per student/ per workshop unless otherwise indicated on the menu of options below. 

Funding Support: Title 1 schools receive a discounted rate of $4.00 per student. Funding assistance, for organizations that serve a high population of youth eligible for free or reduced lunch, is also available. To request funding assistance, please fill out this form: Funding Assistance Form .

Field trips are only offered during the academic school year. Outreach programs are available to book year-round. 

For more information please contact School Programs Coordinator, Molly Berger at [email protected].

ECE Students

Kindle your students’ creativity with hands-on arts workshops and interactive performances designed to grow social-emotional skills and serve as experiential learning opportunities.

Grades K-5 Field Trips

Explore all the arts have to offer by booking a day of highly interactive workshops in drama, music, dance, drawing, painting, clay, and sculpture! Or come see a performance in our Theatre for Young Audiences.

Grades 6-12 Field Trips

Engage students in creative exploration beyond the classroom walls. Create a custom field trip by combining all the Arvada Center has to offer, including: hands-on arts workshops, curated gallery exhibitions, an expansive outdoor sculpture field, and our colorful theatre productions!

Theatre for Young Audiences

Learn more about planning a field trip to see our upcoming production of A Year With Frog and Toad   in spring 2024.

Outreach Programs

No need to travel; we’ll bring the arts to you! Our outreach programs are ideal for schools, scout troops, OST programs, summer camps, and community groups.

Copyright 2019 Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities

• After School Programme
• Holiday Education Programme

School ECE Field Trips

• One Day Farm/Forest School Programme
• Food Workshops
• Living Probiotics
• Our Sponsors
• Our Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy

Kids Have a Great Time on the Farm

Our  School ECE Field Trips  are outdoors and interactive. We cater to children of all ages from day care through to high school level.

Children explore life on a small farm, during the programme children will learn about the needs of and feed the animals, the opportunity to milk a cow, have exposure to aspects of gardening and experientially see where their food comes from.

School program schedule:

• Welcome and introduction
• Feed all the animals
• Morning tea for children
• Milking the cows
• Exploration of the forest
• Making butter and sampling

We have many schools visiting us, so bookings are essential .

Contact us to discuss how we can tailor the programme to your curriculum.

Groups arrive around 9.45am for a 10am start, finishing around 12 – 12.30pm.

Please contact us for pricing for your group.

Ph:   07 542 2257   /  027 405 8209 Jane and Kevin Powell

Ideas and Innovations In Early Childhood Education and Care is a think tank based in Watertown Massachusetts founded by Theodore (Teddy) Kokoros in 2018. All researchers and contributors to Ideas and Innovations In Early Childhood Education and Care are either teachers or parents of young children. While early childhood education and care is getting more attention from politicians and the media, too often those shaping policy and discussions related to early childhood education and care are not the people who are more directly involved with the work. This think tank’s goal is to share the research and perspectives of people who work directly with young children.

May 9 The Importance and Challenge of Field Trips for Preschoolers

Children are innately curious, their minds fertile soil for new experiences and concepts. The early years of a child's life are a time of incredible growth and development. It is during these formative years that children learn best, not merely by instruction, but through experiences. Experiential learning allows children to connect with their environment, developing a sense of belonging and understanding of their place in the world. This fosters a sense of community, which is critical for their social and emotional growth. One of the most effective ways to facilitate this experiential learning is through short field trips for preschoolers.

Field trips offer a hands-on approach to learning that engages children's senses and sparks their curiosity. They provide real-life experiences that nurture a child's understanding of their local community, its functions, and the roles of the people within it. These trips can be as simple as visiting the local library, where children can discover the joy of reading, and understand the importance of shared resources.

Trips to local establishments like fire stations and restaurants can introduce children to different professions, helping them appreciate the role these individuals play in their community. Natural settings like local parks, rivers, lakes, or easy hiking trails, on the other hand, foster a love for nature and an understanding of the importance of environmental stewardship.

Despite the clear benefits, planning and executing short field trips for preschoolers present several challenges, the most prominent being cost, transportation, and adequate supervision.

The cost factor includes entry fees, if applicable, and the cost of transportation. For many preschool institutions, especially those in low-income communities, this can be a significant barrier. However, active support from local government and local business communities can help alleviate this burden. Sponsorships, partnerships, or even policies that offer free or reduced entry for educational groups could be instrumental in making these trips financially feasible. Another thing related to cost is if field trips will make your insurance payments go up or create any potential legal liabilities.

Transportation is another challenge that needs addressing. Preschoolers require safe and reliable transportation, which may not be readily available or affordable for many preschools. Here again, local government and businesses can play a pivotal role. They could offer transportation services at reduced rates, or perhaps even free of charge, for educational field trips (related to that is the staff power it takes to get permission slips signed)

Adequate supervision is of utmost importance when taking preschoolers out of their familiar environments. Ensuring the safety of every child requires a high adult-to-child ratio, which may not always be possible with the available staff. One potential solution is to involve parents in these trips. Policies that enable parents to take a paid day off work to chaperone on field trips can encourage their involvement, ensuring adequate supervision while also fostering a greater sense of community.

In conclusion, short field trips for preschoolers are invaluable in promoting experiential learning and instilling a sense of community. They present children with an opportunity to engage with their environment in meaningful ways, fostering growth and development. While challenges exist, with the concerted efforts of educators, local government, and businesses, these can be overcome, paving the way for a more enriching learning experience for our youngest learners.

Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-and-boy-standing-beside-the-wooden-book-shelf-8342416/

May 13 The Power of Educational Event Nights: Empowering Parents and Caregivers Through Early Childhood Development Knowledge

May 5 Dealing With The Challenges and Stress of Naptime in Preschool: Strategies for Teachers

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10 Field Trip Suggestions

The following list provides recommendations for outdoor, natural spaces and potential educational opportunities available through conservation organizations.

City of Hamilton Parks & Recreation – Many city operated public parks are available throughout the city of Hamilton. The parks & recreation website provides maps, trail listings and waterfall access. The closest trail to Mohawk College’s Fennell Campus is the 2.7 km Chedoke Radial Recreational Trail, which features a waterfall and connects the Chedoke Golf Course with the Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area.

Conservation Halton – offers environmental education field trips at Crawford Lake and Mountsberg Conservation Areas. Information about Preschool field trips are available on the website, and include Nature Play sessions and the Take a Hike program. In addition to educational program, the primary function of Conservation Halton is the preservation of eight natural spaces along the Niagara Escarpment.

Grand River Conservation Authority – Operates 12 parks along the Grand River. Brant Park is closest to Brantford and the First Nations territories of the Six Nations and Mississaugas of the NewCredit. Activities include, hiking, swimming, fishing, canoeing, and camping.

Hamilton Conservation Authority – Operates and oversees 12 outdoor conservation areas throughout the Hamilton-Wentworth region. School and group education programs are available. Groups can use parks on a day-use basis. Natural areas include Beverly Swamp, Borer’s Falls, Crooks’ Hollow, Devil’s Punchbowl, Eramosa Karst, Felker’s Falls, Fletcher Creek Ecological Preserve, Iroquoia Heights, Lower Spencer, Meadowlands, Mount Albion, Tiffany Falls, Vinemount and Vinemount Wetland, as well as trails such as the Chippewa and Hamilton to Branford Rail Trail and sections of Christie Lake, Dundas Valley, Confederation Beach Park, Spencer Gorge and Westfield Heritage Village. Many natural areas are accessed through hiking trails. Find environmental education information here: http://conservationhamilton.ca/environmental-education-home/

Nature’s Calling Environmental Education – Their mission is to connect youth and families with nature and the outdoors, to raise awareness and appreciation for our natural world, and to foster a strong environmental ethic through community-based education and engagement. Workshops can be provided within the classroom or at locations in Norfolk County.

Norfolk Trails – are located throughout the County. Trial networks begin in Simcoe and Turkey Point or the north shore of Lake Erie.

Royal Botanical Gardens – Offers both natural landscapes and garden environments. Twenty-seven kilometers of hiking trails combine a range of physical challenge with nature learning. The Hendrie Garden site offered the Imagination Grove and Veggie Village for early learners. Through out the year, a variety of special exhibitions and events highlight the interactions of humans within their natural environments.

Outdoor Play Resource Guide: ECE Copyright © 2019 by Mohawk College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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20 Engaging and Educational Field Trip Ideas for Preschoolers

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• Child development

Field trips are momentous times in a preschooler’s life. Preschool field trips allow children to enjoy a change of scenery and spend time outside the classroom doing more hands-on learning.

In addition to the memories children create on field trips, they’re a valuable opportunity for educators to reinforce lessons. With the right planning and preparation, field trips for children can be an engaging, educational day for all involved.

Why are preschool field trips important?

Field trips are more than extra-curricular activities. They can be an integral part of a child’s early education. Preschool field trips afford many substantial benefits for children:

Broadens their education

Children are exposed to only so much in a classroom setting. Field trips allow children to get a richer picture of educational subjects by observing them outside of books, lessons, or videos.

Exposure to real-life experiences

In preschool, children are developing their understanding of life and the world around them. Field trips expose them to everyday life in a setting where their teacher can help them connect what they’re learning to what happens in the real places in their community. Experiential learning (authentic, first-hand, sensory-based learning) through field trips is a way for children to reflect on and apply their new knowledge.

Research shows academic improvement

Studies support the idea that field trips have real effects on a child’s education. Field trips are linked to improvements in academic performance. According to a study on youth educational trips by the Wagner Group and the U.S. Travel Association, adults who took educational trips when they were younger…

• Had better grades (59% of study respondents)
• Graduated from high school at a higher rate (95% of study respondents)
• Reported that educational trips had a positive impact on their education (89% of study respondents)

Expands their world

Field trips allow all children to experience more of the world. Whether they live in a busy city or a rural town, field trips introduce children to experiences and environments they may not have access to otherwise. Preschool teachers have the opportunity to make a child’s world a little larger with each field trip and show them new places, people, and adventures.

How to plan and prepare for preschool field trips

A lot of preparation goes into a successful field trip. For teachers and administrators, there are people, places, and schedules to coordinate weeks or months in advance.

Consider the below areas as you plan your trip:

Teaching moments

Sometimes preschool field trips are planned around a specific topic the class has been covering. Sometimes trips are simply a good learning opportunity that you’ll weave a lesson into. No matter which scenario you’re in as a teacher, it’s helpful to have your notes and activities prepared in advance.

How many adult chaperones will you need for the field trip? When you’re planning field trips for kids, it’s crucial to have a confirmed, appropriate number of chaperones based on the number of children attending. 

You can request family volunteers or set up a rotating schedule so families can plan ahead. Consider offering incentives like free lunches or gift cards and remind them it’s a great opportunity to have a meaningful experience with their child and get to know the other children and families in your program.

Plan to bring extra snacks in case meal times run late. Prepare to answer questions from parents about whether to pack a lunch or work out an eating arrangement at the field trip location. If you'll be serving meals on the field trip, prepare the food before and determine how you will transport it. Consider packing a cooler for any perishable foods that need to be kept cold, and pack plenty of water if there is no water available at your destination.

Transportation

Some preschool policies require that school vehicles are used for field trips. Before the trip, determine transportation needs, such as how many vans or buses will be needed and if parents are permitted to drive.

If there’s a cost associated with the trip, how will you secure funds from the school or handle payments from parents? Use your communication platforms to alert parents of any expenses they’ll need to cover as far in advance as possible.

Sometimes drop-off and pick-up schedules can be impacted by field trips. Create an agenda and itinerary that shows where the class will be and breaks down how long you’ll be at each location. This helps parents plan their day and gives school administration information they would need in an emergency. 

If any children have medication, medical equipment, or anything else that needs to be on hand for them, it needs to be accounted for in field trip planning. Bring any health and safety documents such as an accurate roster to count the children and emergency contact information. Teachers should also pack first aid kits and antibacterial hand wipes if there is no access to clean running water on your trip. 

Families' participation on field trips is a great way to include them in the curriculum and share a day in the life of the class. Check out our calendar template to keep families up-to-date with all major school events and spark new ideas for family engagement year-round. 

Field trip safety tips

Taking young children on a field trip can be an overwhelming experience without the right preparation. Field trips are very exciting, so be aware that the children may have extra energy or be more distracted. To have a fun, safe, and smooth trip, focus on safety measures before and during the excursion.

Before the field trip

• Review the schedule with the children and tell them what to expect 
• Give children safety guidelines and procedures to follow
• Assign pairs or small groups for headcount checks
• Involve children in checking the field trip supply checklist
• Instruct children to wear bright clothes or a certain color to make them easy to spot
• Prepare and bring a first aid kit

  During the field trip

• Do headcount checks frequently and always before leaving or entering any location
• Follow pedestrian rules carefully when walking such as using sidewalks and crosswalks and only crossing the street when traffic signals say it is safe
• For traveling by bus or van, check every seat before exiting
• Ensure children understand and follow the security and safety measures of the field trip location
• Continue practicing basic hygiene, such as washing hands or using hand wipes before eating
• Keep a copy of emergency contact lists with you at all times
• Take bathroom breaks together as a group

Field trip ideas for preschoolers

Choosing where to take the children in your preschool class is one of the most exciting parts of field trip planning. Here are 20 engaging and educational field trip ideas for preschoolers:

Apple orchards and pumpkin patches can show children how these foods are grown and offer a truly hands-on education as they pick their own.

Nature walk

Nature walks are an educational adventure that allow children to discover various plants, leaves, critters, and trees. It’s also great physical activity!

Farmer’s markets

A field trip to the local farmer’s market or grocery store can be an opportunity to teach children lessons about nutrition and where their food comes from.

Many children’s books are full of stories and illustrations of sea creatures, so the aquarium is sure to be a hit with preschoolers. They’ll get a chance to see these creatures up close and learn more about them.

A local bakery is another food-focused field trip that supports a small business and allows children to see how some of their favorite sweet treats are created.

Zoos are a common preschool class favorite! Children can visit and hear facts about a wide variety of animals, including birds, mammals, and reptiles.

Local library

Libraries are often a familiar place for young children, but a preschool field trip to the library gives children a chance to learn details about what a librarian does and the many types of books available to them.

Fire station

Preschoolers tend to love fire trucks. Use a field trip to a fire station to teach them about the work that happens behind the scenes and age-appropriate fire safety tips.

Local events

Sometimes the best educational events don’t need to be booked—they’re already happening in your community! From holiday celebrations and parades to the annual fair, local events can provide children with a wealth of learning opportunities.

Farmers have so much they can teach young children, from lessons about the way food is grown to how the animals are raised.

Children’s museum

Museums that cater specifically to young children are educational and interactive places that are ideal for preschool field trips. They also tend to change exhibits regularly, which means they’re a great choice for multiple trips.

Home improvement store

Show children how chairs, tables, and other items they use on a daily basis are built. Another way to do this is to find a local builder with a small shop who’s willing to give a workshop tour and demonstration.

If you have a child-friendly state park nearby, they make excellent field trip destinations. State parks are a beautiful place to teach about the great outdoors and ways to protect and respect our planet. 

Recycling center

Teach children the importance of recycling and how everyday items like plastic water bottles and aluminum soda cans are recycled. 

Local ponds are perfect for a low-cost, science and nature focused field trip. They’re often home to frogs, ducks, and aquatic plants, making great lesson topics for preschool children.

Around town scavenger hunt

Teach children about where they live with a scavenger hunt in your community. Downtown areas are usually ideal locations for this field trip activity.

Expose children to the performing arts with a preschool field trip to the local theater. This trip can teach them about storytelling on the stage, theater etiquette, and stage acting as a career.

Train station

Learning about different types of transportation expands children’s minds and view of the world. Add in a train ride to make it both engaging and educational!

Botanical garden

Botanical gardens are a stunning environment to teach children about the beauty of nature and various types of plant life.

Historic monuments

A field trip to an age-appropriate historic site can provide early lessons on important historical figures and events.

Post-field trip actions and education

Get the most out of your day away from the classroom by following up with children and their families after your field trip. Parents will appreciate knowing what their children learned and children will get a chance to relive the best moments of their trip.

To update families, consider including a brief summary of your field trip in your preschool newsletter . Ask children to share their favorite parts of the trip and include photos! 

Plan a memorable outing

There are plenty of details to consider and plan when it comes to executing preschool field trips. Taking a trip is a great opportunity for educators to build upon everything their children are learning in the classroom and engage them in hands-on, memorable experiences. 

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Iowa Western Community College

Ece field trips, outdoor play, clothing, menus.

Field Trips:

Children from the Center may participate in a variety of field trips. Upon enrollment, parents complete a permission form allowing their child to participate in these activities. On-campus field trips can occur weekly and may include walks to campus places or activities such as the library for stories or the campus woods for nature walks.

Field trips off of the IWCC campus will be announced in the Center newsletter as well as by parent notification. Children generally participate in off-campus field trips one or two times per semester. Travel for off-campus field trips will be by college van or bus. All children less than five years-old who participate in off-campus field trips will require a federally approved child restraint seat provided by their parents. These seats will be secured in the college van for the trip and will be returned to parents after the trip. Drivers for field trips include paid college faculty and staff; the college has copies of the driver’s licenses for these persons and has run background checks on their driving records. Staff carries first aid kits as well as emergency notification cards for each child on field trips off of the campus.

Outdoor Play:

Children will play outside daily, including the winter season, as weather permits. Children will go outside daily when the temperature is above 15 degrees Fahrenheit or below 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Please, make sure your child has weather-appropriate clothing. Wind chill and heat index factors will be taken into account in determining outdoor play safety. A child who is well enough to come to the Center is usually well enough to be able to play outside.

• Play at the ECE Center is active and occasionally messy. Children should wear comfortable, washable play clothes and shoes. Each child will need an extra change of clothes clearly labeled with his/her name. This change of clothing can be left at school. Soiled clothing will be sent home to be replaced with clean clothes the next day. Parents should check this supply regularly to ensure that it fits and is appropriate for the seasonal weather.
• In the winter, please make sure your child has the necessary clothing to go outside. If your child wishes to play in the snow, they must-have boots, snow pants, coats, mittens/gloves, hat/hood, or scarves and extra shoes to change into when coming inside. Please dress your child warmly. Parents are asked to clearly label all clothing with the child’s name. Mittens and boots all start to look the same; labeling assists staff in returning items to proper owners.
• In the summer, children should have swim clothes and a towel for water days.

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Bring Back In-Person Field Trips. Here’s Why

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Just as peak field trip season was set to get underway in the spring of 2020, the pandemic hit. Schools, and the cultural institutions and countless other organizations that normally welcome K-12 students for experiential learning, closed their doors.

“The pandemic was absolutely devastating for field trips. They went off a cliff, even when schools went back to in-person,” said Susie Wilkening, principal of Wilkening Consulting, a Seattle-based audience research firm.

Statistics bear this out. In the spring of 2023, Wilkening Consulting and the American Alliance of Museums conducted a survey of 340 museum directors from around the country on post-pandemic visitation. Forty percent of respondents reported that they continued to experience lower on-site visitation from K-12 teachers and students.

Several factors may be keeping schools from venturing back to in-person field trips. Virtual field trips rose in popularity during the pandemic, allowing students to glimpse educational sites as far-flung as the Egyptian pyramids or the Louvre art museum in Paris from the comfort of their homes or classrooms—and those opportunities still exist.

Logistics and funding may also be preventing schools from returning to on-site field trips. Educational researchers have suggested that some schools prioritize putting resources toward activities that may improve student achievement on standardized tests over experiences like field trips, whose results aren’t as quantifiable. That may especially be the case for schools struggling to help students recover from pandemic-era learning declines.

The argument for doing field trips again

But a growing body of research, advocacy from some district-level officials, and anecdotes from students provide compelling reasons for bringing back in-person field trips.

Lin Tajeken Jeufack, a high school junior at Kenwood High School in Maryland’s Baltimore County schools, vividly recalls how a 6th grade field trip to the National Aquarium in Baltimore that offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into husbandry of aquatic animals planted an idea in her head about one day becoming a marine biologist.

Lin described testing the water in the animal tanks, peering under a microscope in an onsite laboratory at the aquarium, and learning about a profession she knew little about. The 16-year-old, who is now enrolled in her school’s International Baccalaureate program, volunteers at a local hospital, and says she’s leaning toward majoring in math in college, though she hasn’t ruled out a career in marine biology. Lin still welcomes the opportunity to attend in-person field trips—like a recent outing to the Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute, an art museum that features a “Giant Heart” exhibit that allows visitors to walk through the organ’s enormous, lifelike chambers.

“I think students feel safer now [post-pandemic],” said Lin. “We have a really tough course load; we’re always working. It’s good for us to get away from school for a little while.”

Field trips are especially beneficial for disadvantaged students

The lasting benefits of field trips don’t necessarily register in students’ consciousness at the moment of the visit. But these experiential outings have been proven to increase student interest in, knowledge about, and motivation to study subject matter to which they’re exposed, according to a sweeping, decade-old report by Ohio University researchers on field trips. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds tend to reap the biggest benefits from these experiences, as they are less likely to have the opportunity to engage in these activities outside of school-sponsored trips.

That’s not lost on Kadee Anstadt, superintendent/CEO of Washington Local Schools in Toledo, Ohio, who’s committed to ensuring that the students in her high-poverty district take field trips routinely.

“We are quite intentional now about the breadth of experiences we are offering our students,” said Anstadt, who recently established what she refers to as “superinten-dates,” in which she personally takes groups of students on field trips they likely wouldn’t otherwise experience.

“As an urban district, our kids sometimes don’t get to see their larger community. We’ve been to the Detroit Auto Show, to hear a Holocaust survivor, experienced the Toledo Opera, and taken the entire junior class to the Henry Ford Museum,” she said.

Some of the field trips students in the Washington Local Schools take are culturally enriching; others, practical. The district has developed a partnership with two local YMCA branches in which every 2nd grader receives eight water safety lessons.

“This ensures our kids know the dangers of a pool, pond, or lake, and also know how to get help if they need it. Some learn to swim during this time. For so many, it’s the first time they’ve ever been in a pool,” said Anstadt.

Since last year, more than 1,000 of the district’s approximately 7,000 students have received the lessons.

Fish hatcheries, hiking, ice fishing, and Native American landmarks

Laurie Barron, superintendent of the Evergreen school district in Montana, shares a philosophy on experiential field trips similar to Anstadt’s—but with vastly different surroundings to explore.

“We are in northwestern Montana bordering Glacier National Park, a recreation mecca,” said Barron, reeling off a number of recreational and cultural resources available within a quick bus trip: fish hatcheries, hiking, ice fishing, skiing, forestry opportunities, and Native American landmarks.

Barron says administrators aim for younger students in the K-8 district to go on between two and four trips per year, a number that increases to six to eight trips by the time students reach 8th grade.

“We love for them to have several off-campus opportunities each year, experiencing the great west Montana outdoors. It’s very relevant and easy to connect that to our curriculum and content,” Barron said. “And students remember a lot more that way than just reading about places in a book.”

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