middle school overnight field trips

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

Teach students checking vs. savings accounts!

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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The Best PreK and Kindergarten Field Trips (Both Virtual and In-Person!)

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• Coolest Middle School Field Trips

Field trips are integral to young learning minds and especially so in the influential middle school years. Academic passions are discovered, sympathies are created, and what the students find in the real world helps to solidify who they will become in years to come. But that doesn't mean field trips have to be boring. Your students will thank you for a little entertainment, and in the end, they'll learn better if they're having fun. The following field trip ideas are geared toward middle school class groups in the United States, not limited to a single state, and are all around cool, awesome, and very educational.

Dinosaurs - First of all, what kid doesn't like dinosaurs? This love of prehistoric creatures oftentimes leads into adulthood, making it fun for the teacher and chaperones too. There are several sites, museums, digs, and monuments around the U.S. that are dedicated to educating the public on these long-dead animals. Some of the more popular sites include the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles , which is focused primarily on the Pleistocene Era when woolly mammoths, saber-tooth cats, and dire wolves roamed the continent. Other sites date further back, before the last ice age, to the time when triceratops and tyrannosaurus-rex walked the earth like at the paleontological dig sites in the South Dakota Badlands. Companies like PaleoAdventures give dinosaur dig site tours to students ages 10 and up, showing the inner workings of an operational dig site and the scientific importance of recovering the fossils, bones, and fragments from the hard earth. These dig sites cross state lines into Montana and Wyoming as well though you can find similar tours in other states. If your group would be better suited to indoor exploration, try the Smithsonian affiliated museums like the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. which has a phenomenal dinosaur wing of the Field Museum in Chicago where you can see "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton ever to be pulled from the ground.

Historic Sites - Though historic sites aren't as fun as dinosaurs, they are pretty cool. Living history museums like Colonial Williamsburg are usually very well received by young students and the park has an awesome feature where your group can stay overnight and learn even more after dark. Plimoth Plantation is another such destination on the East Coast and you can board and tour the full-scale replica of the Plimoth tall ship among their other attractions. If your middle school class isn't learning about early America, perhaps you'd like to visit Civil War sites instead. Dotting the country from east to west, north, and south, Civil War sites of significance are plentiful and poignant. Antietam, Gettysburg, Fort Sumter, and Shiloh are but a few of the most important battle sites in the country and while they are highly informative, they are also big crowd-pleasers. Middle school students pretty much unanimously love seeing cannons and Civil War-era weaponry, seeing demonstrations and reenactments, and the antique artifacts dating back to the War Between the States. If you're far enough south, historic plantations are another great place to visit. Sherwood Forest in Virginia was once owned by two presidents, William Henry Harrison and John Tyler, and is open to visitors. George Washington's Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello are also open for visitors with living history presentations, in-depth tours, and offer a wonderfully comprehensive look into the presidents' lives.

Interactive Science Museums - It can be hard to find a good science museum for middle school students as many walks the line of elementary school level science. There are interactive science museums which focus specifically on breaking boundaries between grades and teach concepts like the Leonardo in Salt Lake City. This revolutionary new science museum actually spans the gamut of education, just like real Leonardo (DaVinci that is), and includes architecture, art, music, and more into a symposium of learning in a fun and inviting way. The Franklin in Philadelphia does the same under the inspiration of Benjamin Franklin. The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere, is perhaps one of the best destinations to take classes of any age. Likewise, on the West Coast, you'll find the Discovery Cube in Los Angeles which combines science with multi-sensory exploration to heighten learning.

Natural Disasters and Natural Wonders - This is kind of the same thing with the dinosaurs. Kids, especially middle school-aged students, enjoy seeing natural disasters from a safe distance. Volcanoes make for great learning opportunities (especially when they're dormant) so take them on a tour of Yellowstone National Park and see the effects of the geothermal features like Old Faithful and the sulfur pools. California has its own, underrated volcanic park at Lassen Peak in the Shasta Cascade region in the northern part of the state. Lassen Volcanic National Park also has its own geothermal wonderland, known as Bumpass Hell, where you can tour along boardwalks through the sulfurous landscape. For active volcanoes, go down to Hawaii and see the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park where you'll find two of the most active volcanoes on the planet still oozing hot lava before your eyes. From a natural wonder standpoint, you can pretty much visit any national park in the country. The Grand Canyon is, of course, recommended as is the Everglades in Florida, Waimea Canyon in Hawaii, and Devils Tower in Wyoming among many others.

Zoos and Aquariums - Last but not least: animals. Zoos and aquariums always rank among the best and coolest, most informative and educational field trip destinations in the country for all ages. You can literally make any subject work by visiting a zoo: biology, zoology, general science, psychology, architecture, civil engineering, history, marketing, etc. Plus, the students always look forward to a day at the zoo, touring their favorite animals. They probably don't even notice that they're learning, which is a great thing. The older your students get, the more in-depth and focused their visits to the zoo and aquarium can become. Zoos like the San Diego Zoo offer educational programs, tours, and activities for all ages of students with graduating levels of focus. Have your middle school students tour the park and listen to zookeepers talk about particular animals and their behaviors, their needs, and the zoo's conservation practices to help the species in the wild. Other zoo institutions that rank very highly include the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park and the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans which is also home to a fabulous aquarium . The Dallas World Aquarium, Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, and the National Aquarium in Baltimore are among the top ten in the nation as well, and likewise offer educational programs for groups.

Written by Josh Hettinger

View all posts by: Josh Hettinger

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6 Fun Field Trip Ideas for Middle School Students

When I was a student, field trips were these exciting opportunities that got me away from my desk. I would pack away a Lunchables box (a treat in itself) and be psyched to go to school.

So when I became a teacher, I remembered the power behind those outings and how much I looked forward to them as a kid. But the profession also made me realize that field trips are a lot of work!

Still, when I remember that excited little girl, the effort becomes worth it. Field trips motivate kids to learn. And experiential education has a more long-standing effect than a traditional classroom lecture.

Throughout the years, I’ve learned that field trips don’t have to be elaborate. Many simple outings can get you out of school and still teach a lot.

Here are some out-of-the-box field trip ideas for middle school students to connect them to real-world learning that they’ll always remember.

Field Trips for Middle Schoolers in Grades 6-8

1. the food bank.

One of my most memorable field trips was a visit with my middle school students to a local food bank that was five minutes down the road.

It was a particularly special event because the kids were already invested in a mission to feed the hungry. We had organized a school-wide penny drive and raised $200 for this local organization. Plus, another teacher and I had integrated the topic into our unit on world hunger.

My students were able to bring all the money (neatly rolled) to the organization in person. They even got a group picture published in the paper and took pride in giving back to their community. The personal connections ran deep.

While we were there, a volunteer also offered a tour. Students saw the donations and met the volunteers. This trip compelled a few kids to contribute to the food pantry in the future.

The outing didn’t need a ton of planning, and we only had to drive down the road. It also meant a lot to the students and connected them to their community in a meaningful way.

2. Landfills and recycling plants

As a student, I still remember visiting a local landfill and recycling plant. This was part of a science sustainability unit that has stuck with me after all these years.

We talked about waste and how much humans produce. The owner then led a tour while listing off some stunning statistics—for example, that Americans throw out 1,200 pounds of organic compostable materials every year. Ugh!

He also showed us a section of the landfill with items that looked almost new and had no place in the trash. I learned that mechanics sometimes found pieces for cars there: information I recalled in the future when I broke the door handle on my beat up Toyota Camry. I saved a ton of money by finding a replacement in the junkyard. Talk about a life lesson learned from a dump!

We also learned about recycling and how reducing and reusing can aid our world. Seeing all the waste and recycling had a big impact on me. The equipment that’s involved and all the energy that went into the process still moves me.

Visiting the recycling plant and landfill was an excellent experience for a kid who had never before thought about the concepts of waste and sustainability.

3. Nature’s classroom

I may be a tad bit biased with this field trip for middle schoolers because I used to work at Nature’s Classroom . But I think this company offers the best outdoor education experience for teachers and students.

It’s a brilliant concept where teachers stay with their students for a week in cabins in the woods. While soaking in Mother Nature, they learn outdoor skills and academic lessons from experienced Nature’s Classroom teachers.

Kids participate in fire building, putting on skits, weighing food waste, and more hands-on learning experiences. Nature’s Classroom lives up to its name—it’s an educational experience in the woods, and kids get to enjoy the great outdoors in a truly unique way.

I used to teach Poetry in the Woods where kids would write while sitting next to a babbling stream. I’d also do Salamander Gander, an activity that challenges kids to find salamanders and identify them according to an Audubon book.

Of course, I can’t leave out my favorite: Stones and Bones, where the kids would visit a local cemetery to learn history.

Nature’s Classroom has sites all over and is a treasured experience for all involved. Give it a try next time you’re planning a field trip!

4. Unique animal farms

Coming up with a title for this field trip was difficult because I was thinking of two experiences: One at an emu farm and another at an alpaca farm. For the sake of clarity, let’s call these “unique animal farms.”

I took a group of students to the emu farm when I worked at an alternative school. The farmer sold emu eggs and had about 20 of these ostrich-like birds on his property. He showed the kids the eggshells and feathers all while rattling off a ton of fun facts. My students were mesmerized!

Capturing the class’s attention was a triumph because some of these kids refused to take part in traditional lessons and had severe emotional disturbances and learning difficulties. But after that trip, they requested to read articles on emus and couldn’t get enough of these Australian birds!

The alpaca farm was another awesome (and free!) field trip. You could feed the alpacas and hang out with them. My students loved watching a woman shear the llamas and then use the wool to make blankets. You could even buy these blankets at the gift shop. The kids were fans of the entire process through and through.

This option will depend on what kinds of unique animal farms you have locally. With a little research, you may be surprised by the ones that live nearby.

Many farmers are more than eager to give you a free field trip and will blow your mind with their knowledge.

5. Restaurants

I knew a Spanish teacher who had the brilliant idea to take her class to a Spanish restaurant every year. In preparation, they’d participate in a unit on ordering food in Spanish and acquaint themselves with the cuisine.

The kids had a blast, and what a brilliant way to integrate foreign language studies with experiential learning! I’m certain those students retained more vocabulary through this hands-on experience than they would have otherwise.

Another fun field trip for middle school that comes to mind was to Epcot Center. We ate at an Italian place, and it complemented my Renaissance unit perfectly. Plus, the kids ate some yummy food that they had never tried before!

Besides dining and taking in the atmosphere, you can request a tour of the kitchen and learn about health inspections and food safety.

Restaurant field trips are fun, educational, and, of course, tasty.

6. Assisted living facilities

I’ve participated in field trips with both public and alternative schools to visit assisted living and nursing homes. These are wonderful places where students can once again give back.

We used to volunteer and sit and talk with seniors. Students played games, made crafts, and completed puzzles. It was just hanging out, but the kids learned a ton.

Our younger students would also hand out holiday crafts and put on special concerts at these homes. The field trips to assisted living facilities were beneficial learning experiences for both the students and the residents.

Selecting Middle School Field Trip Ideas that Venture Beyond the Box

I hope these creative middle school field trip ideas inspire you to explore some meaningful educational outings. Yes, outings are certainly hard work for schoolteachers, but they’re so worth it! By getting your students out of the classroom, you’ll help shape their future with experiences they simply won’t have while sitting behind a desk.

This article was adapted from a blog post initially developed by the education technology company Classcraft, which was acquired by HMH in 2023. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of HMH.

Find more lesson plans and classroom resources on Shaped.

50 Amazing Field Trip Spots in the U.S.

Field Trips. They are children's favorite part of elementary school and probably high school too. But field trips don't have to just be about getting a day off from class. Savvy teachers who understand their students need something that will hold their attention understand there are plenty of events and attractions across the country that are both fun and informative. In fact, there are so many excellent destinations it would be impossible to name even 100. So here are 50, listed in no order, that fit no model. There are sports arenas and museums and clown hall of fames. Each of which offers its own excitement and learning opportunities.

#1 - Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (Washington DC)

Washington D.C. is chalk full of awesome museums but the Natural History Museum is a fan favorite for its diverse collection of things to see. From rare gems and plants to dinosaurs and historical cultures, the museum has exhibitions for people of all ages and interests. The museum hosts tons of special events and even sleepovers for children and it is 100 percent free to public, so it makes for the perfect school trip, especially for teachers in the D.C. area.

Visit - naturalhistory.si.edu

#2 - Audubon Aquarium of the Americas (New Orleans, LA)

Aquariums are a field trip staple for teachers and that is because kids love them. The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is no exception. The nearly 500,000-gallon water tank is filled with crowd-pleasing favorites like turtles and large sharks and the Mississippi River exhibit is always a hit thanks to its collection of authentic Cajun creatures like catfish and a white alligator. It does cost money to get in, but there are special packages for groups and field trips that make the experience more cost-effective.

Visit - audubonnatureinstitute.org

#3 - Museum of Modern Art (New York, NY)

The MoMA may be a bit too "high-brow" for younger students, but middle school and high school students with an affinity for art will love this museum for its eclectic mix of artwork. The MoMA is often considered one of the most prestigious museums in the entire country and its exhibitions range from architecture and design to electronic media and film, guaranteeing that they will give students interested in art a wide-range of educational experiences. The museum does cost money but it also offers a variety of programs for educational groups of all ages.

Visit - moma.org

Andy Warhol - Marilyn Monroe Portfolio at MoMA

#4 - International Spy Museum (Washington DC)

One of the newer destinations on the list, the International Spy Museum has been a part of Washington D.C. since 2002 and has quickly become one of the more popular destinations for students and tourists alike. Between the large number of historical artifacts, the secret history lessons and the classes on "How to Become a Spy", there is something for students of all ages and it is an educational experience to be seen.

Visit - spymuseum.org

#5 - San Diego Zoo (San Diego, CA)

Another field trip no-brainer, the San Diego Zoo is one of the biggest and best zoos in the country if not the world. There are nearly 4,000 distinct species housed in the zoo's Balboa Park location including polar bears, monkeys, elephants, gorillas and pandas. Simply put, kids, especially younger ones, will never want to leave this museum. It is nearly impossible to see everything the zoo offers in one trip, so it might be worthwhile to schedule two.

Visit - zoo.sandiegozoo.org

#6 - Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum (Austin, TX)

Located on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin, the LBJ Presidential Library is a walk through the life of one of our most outspoken and influential presidents. A leader in the Civil Rights Movement and the War on Poverty, students will not only learn a great deal about U.S. History and our country's political history, but they will also leave inspired at the vast amount of good that can be accomplished by one powerful man.

Visit - lbjlibrary.org

#7 - Riley's Farm (Yucaipa, CA)

About two hours east of Los Angeles is not necessarily where one might expect to find one of the more fun war museums to visit, but Riley's Farm, which doubles as an apple orchard as well as a "living history" farm plays host to Revolutionary and Civil War experiences, dinner theaters, and overnight experiences. It is the quintessential field trip experience. In fact, it is almost explicitly designed for field trips and large groups to visit. The living history education is its calling card, but there is so much to do that students won't have time to wander off or get bored.

Visit - rileysfarm.com

#8 - The Freedom Trail (Boston, MA)

Boston was the birthplace of the American Revolution and so it is only right to pay your respects by walking the Freedom Trail. Located in the heart of the city, the Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile walk that leads students to historically significant sites. There are museums and houses and churches and cemeteries, but most importantly, there are countless stories of historical nature that will teach kids about the birthplace of the country. It can be a bit hectic to keep track of an entire group on a long walk, but if you as a teacher are up for it, there are few experiences like it in New England.

Visit - thefreedomtrail.org

Paul Revere House on Freedom Trail

#9 - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland, OH)

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame admittedly offers a bit less education than some of the other locales on this list, but that doesn't mean it doesn't make for a good field trip. There are exhibits on the history of Rock and Roll, cities that have helped shape Rock and Roll and, of course, famous Rock and Rollers. The Hall of Fame also is constantly hosting interviews with famous rockers and events and other public programs that are a real joy for attendees. Teachers may have trouble justifying the educational value, but it is still a must-see museum.

Visit - rockhall.com

#10 - National Museum of African American History and Culture (Washington DC)

At this point, African-American Culture is woven into the very fabric of the country and the history of African-Americans is rich and full of inspiring, tragic and emotional stories. The National Museum is set up to tell all those stories and it does so with incredible aplomb. There are over 33,000 items in its collection and each one tells its own story and marks its own place - positive or negative - in the history of African-American culture in the United States. It is not also cheery and happy, but it is still important for students to recognize and learn from this history so that they can help create their own.

Visit - nmaahc.si.edu

#11 - Everglades National Park (South Florida)

Science teachers won't find a more vibrant and luscious ecosystem to show their students. Of course, it will be difficult to cover all 1.5 million acres in the National Park, but guided tours are available and the park staff does an excellent job of catering these tours to students to help them make the most of it. Also, the Everglades are in trouble. Years of development in South Florida have created a toxic environment that is slowly killing off one of the most beautiful places in the country. Teachers can use the occurrences as an opportunity to discuss environmental issues and help create better stewards for the future.

Visit - nps.gov

#12 - Fenway Park (Boston, MA)

The park is one of the oldest in baseball and it is full of rich history and tradition. Obviously it caters to a specific audience, but there is nothing cooler for a young kid who likes baseball to be on the field. And non-baseball lovers can enjoy it too, or can at least enjoy a day off from real school.

Visit - boston.redsox.mlb.com

#13 - Pima Air and Space Museum (Tucson, AZ)

Simply put, Pima Air & Space Museum is massive. It boasts more than 4,000 aircraft, including a B-29 Superfortress, and covers more than 2,000 acres. They host regular events that cater to children of all ages and there is plenty to see for adults too. You can find quite of bit of aviation history in the desert and it will promise more than a few awe-inspiring planes as well. Entry is less than $20 and readily welcome large groups and field trips.

Visit - pimaair.org

Painted Airplane - Pima Air and Space Museum,

#14 - The Holocaust Museum (Washington DC)

The National Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. is probably not for the young students, but it is a must-visit in our opinion. It is much more than just a brick-and-mortar museum but the museum is a powerful experience. It is not for the faint of heart, but it is also an important part of history. The exhibits are thoughtful and rich in details, but they don't pull any punches either. The Museum does a great job of producing primary source media in many different forms. The staff also understands how to cater to students and has an exhibition , Remember the Children: Daniel's Story , that is carefully designed for even elementary school students.

Visit - ilholocaustmuseum.org

#15 - Griffith Observatory (Los Angeles, CA)

The Observatory is not only located in a picturesque spot in the Hollywood hills, it is also one of the country's best planetariums and theaters. The Observatory is so popular that its non-profit, Friends of the Observatory , sponsors an annual school program for fifth-grade students that takes place three days per week and is a two-and-half hour program loaded with fun and engaging content that also aligns with state standards. It may feel like you are on vacation when you get there, but once you are inside, it is all learning.

Visit - griffithobservatory.org

#16 - The Gentle Barn (Santa Clarita, CA - Knoxville, TN, - Dittmer, MO)

The Gentle Barn is a feel-good favorite, especially for younger students. The field trips are especially fun as students get a two-hour tour full of close-up encounters with some of the sweetest animals on earth. Kids get to play with pigs and hug cows and chase chickens and get a lot of information about the animals and their lives. The organization has grown increasingly popular and recently opened and Knoxville, Tenn. Location as well.

Visit - gentlebarn.org

#17 - The Henry Ford (Dearborn, MI)

Henry Ford is famous for inventing the automobile, but the museum named after him celebrates much more than that. Ford's cars were one of the country's greatest and long-lasting inventions and the museum is dedicated to honoring his thinking and vision as much as his legacy with the automobile. The Museums offers tours of real factories to students and tries to help foster the next generation of ingenuity.

Visit - thehenryford.org

#18 - Alcatraz (San Francisco, CA)

Alcatraz Island and its famous prison are a fun trip for all ages but they can be especially exciting for students. Sure, probably won't connect back to core curriculum in the classroom, but there is plenty of history worth exploring, both good and bad. It is also a place full of incredible stories and colorful personalities. Students will take pictures inside jail cells and learn about some of the country's most famous criminals.

Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, CA

#19 - Gettysburg National Military Park (Gettysburg, PA)

There is a lot of history in Gettysburg and a lot of ghosts of seasons past too. The Park is used to student visitors by now and can help teachers plan a lot day with plenty to do. For the students, the stories and impressive memorabilia can be both exciting and informative. Viewing the field of battle, it is hard not to be struck by how eerie it can feel.

#20 - Cave of the Winds (Manitou, CO)

For whatever reason, caves can be really exciting to walk or climb through. This is especially true for students. Younger students will love learning about rock formations and geological science as they climb through one of the more picturesque caves in the Western United States. The Cave staff welcomes student groups and it is not hard to leave feeling informed…and exhausted.

Visit - caveofthewinds.com

#21 - Mammoth Site of Hot Springs (Hot Springs, SD)

With all due respect to Woolly Mammoths, their loss was our gain. Many centuries ago, a large group of mammoths were caught in a hot spring in South Dakota. Fast-forward to present day and that location is home to one of the most impressive collections of bones in the entire country. The science community was smart to preserve the area and its artifacts and now the site is a fascinating place to visit and a renowned research center to boot. Students will be rapt with attention.

Visit - mammothsite.com/k-5/ & mammothsite.com/6-12/

Mammoth Bones at Hot Springs

#22 - Utah Shakespeare Festival (Cedar City, UT)

This would be more than just an ordinary field trip, but if the teacher can find the funds to bring his/her high school students to the annual festival hosted by Southern Utah University, they will not be disappointed. The people-watching alone is worth the journey and for theater students, it is an incredible opportunity to mingle with like-minded students from across the country and practice their love for acting and for literature.

Visit - bard.org

#23 - Alaska Sealife Center (Seward, AK)

The Sealife Center in Seward has something for everyone. It is a public aquarium for younger students looking to explore sealife, in-depth research for students much further along in their education and an array of educational opportunities for remote students to learn more about the state's incredibly diverse sealife and ecosystem. A big part of the Center's purpose is education and they take it seriously. There are few places in the country with more well-rounded opportunities to learn about the oceans and the creatures in it.

Visit - alaskasealife.org

#24 - Etowah Indian Mounds (Cartersville, GA)

Not far west from Atlanta, the Etowah Indian Mounds are an archaeological site that is well-known for its remarkably successful preservation. Students who visit will learn about some of the first people to ever live in what is now the state of Georgia and they can learn in-depth about the culture and life of their predecessors. The Mounds have produced incredible displays of tools, weapons and pottery that each tell their own history lessons. It is always important for students to understand history in all forms.

Visit - gastateparks.org

Etowah Indian Mound

#25 - Naturelab (Metairie, LA)

Run by the good folks over at McNeese State University, West Louisiana is now home to one of the most exciting environmental learning centers anywhere in the country. Unlike some museums that offer students learning opportunities, Naturelab is built for students and its curriculum is designed to engage them in many educational lessons where students also can get their hands dirty. Teachers can cater the field trip to whatever lesson they want to teach and students get a firsthand experience on a variety of topics.

Visit - mcneese.edu

#26 - Science Museum of Minnesota (St. Paul, MN)

The Science Museum of Minnesota is no stranger to field trips and its staff usually coordinates different options for students and teachers to choose from. For example, there may be an interactive exhibit on mazes, or an educational film in the Omni theater, or even a picture and portrait gallery on race or gender. They won't limit the students to just one program either as the staff encourages students to explore the multitude of engaging exhibits on their own as well.

Visit - smm.org

#27 - Chesapeake Bay Foundation (Chesapeake, MD)

The Chesapeake Bay is one of the more vibrant watersheds on the Eastern Seaboard and so it should come as no surprise that science teachers flock to its shores so that students can experience the environment firsthand. The Foundation takes students out on the boat and shows them the watershed up close and personal. Not only do kids get to see some incredible wildlife, they learn a lot about the surrounding ecosystem as well.

Visit - cbf.org

#28 - Exploratorium (San Francisco, CA)

Located on Pier 15, the Exploratorium is a must-see in San Francisco for people of all ages, but it can be especially exciting for students. The Exploratorium generally lets teachers set their own agendas and guide their own tours, but they are more than willing to arrange for special presentations or speeches if available. The Exploratorium is exactly what is sounds like - a place where students can explore a vast number of different areas of interest and still leave wanting more.

Visit - exploratorium.edu

Exploratorium - Palace of Fine Arts

#29 - Staten Island Children's Museum (New York, NY)

Generally best for younger students, the Staten Island's Children Museum is a favorite for teachers in New York City. With guided programs and lessons and curriculum in everything from science to language to early childhood education, teachers can find something for all their students and they can know that the students won't just learn, but also have fun. The trip is free for schools on the Island, but it isn't much costlier for other schools as well.

Visit - sichildrensmuseum.org

#30 - Oroville Dam (Feather River, CA)

An hour north of Sacramento, this 770-foot behemoth is responsible for keeping the Lake Oroville reservoir at bay. It was recently in the news for damage to the dam that caused flooding but now that things are under control, it truly is a modern marvel in civil engineering and architecture. The dam is practically a living, breathing, organism and tours give students an inside look at how the enormous operation is run.

Visit - lakeoroville.net

#31 - Jamestown Settlement (Jamestown, VA)

The country's first permanent settlement has evolved into a museum and national landmark that adults and students alike visit in droves. There is still plenty left over for students to see and there is obviously a lot of learn about the stories of the first settlers. Not all the history is positive, but it is an important part of national identity and so students will buy in.

#32 - Cajun Country Swamp Tours (Breaux Bridge, LA)

The swamp tours in and around New Orleans are normally considered a tourist activity but it can be an awesome experience for students too. Yes, getting to see the gators is the coolest part of the tour, but the local guides know their stuff and there is plenty more to see than just gators. The tour can give students a peek at the vibrant aquatic ecosystem in the Bayou. Considering the kids are trapped on the boat, it is easy to keep track of them too.

Visit - cajuncountryswamptours.com

#33 - Ben and Jerry's Factory Tour (Waterbury, VT)

Everyone's favorite ice cream is made in a Vermont factory. The normal tour is just 30 minutes, but the staff has been willing to make extra exceptions for school groups and what kid isn't going to enjoy the tour of an ice cream factory? The business and operations side of things is equally interesting however, especially for kids who can separate themselves from their ice cream. If teachers can get parents to splurge for a tie-dye tee shirt, all the better.

Visit - benjerry.com

Ben & Jerry's Factory Welcome Sign

#34 - Monticello (Charlottesville, VA)

The historic home of Thomas Jefferson is a favorite of teachers in Virginia. The home is now a well-oiled machine that includes guided tours of the exquisite interior and exterior. The house is filled with so much history and so many stories, that students will be surprised how much there is to know about one house. The grounds are beautiful and in case you hadn't heard, Jefferson was kind of a big deal, so his artifacts are important pieces of history.

Visit - monticello.org

#35 - Mammoth Cave (Mammoth Cave, KY)

Mammoth Cave is a National Park as well as the most extensive cave system in the U.S. It is one of the more popular tourist and field trip destinations in the south central part of the country thanks in large part to its incredible sights, professionally-run guided tours, and interesting factoids about geological patterns and how caves are formed. This is a full day trip that all students can enjoy.

#36 - Walden Pond (Concord, MA)

Made famous by the poet and all-around renaissance man Henry David Thoreau, this pond in suburban Massachusetts is a quiet locale where students can learn about the works of Thoreau and his contemporaries like Ralph Waldo Emerson. Students will get the chance to explore the cabin that Thoreau lived in and enjoy a serene walk in nature around the pond. Tours are offered through the Concord Museum.

Visit - mass.gov

#37 - Kootenai Wildlife Refuge (Bonners Ferry, ID)

The non-profit organization that helps sponsor the refuge, Friends of Kootenai National Widlife Refuge, offer tours on four different trails on the refuge, all of which guarantee to show off a vast array of wildlife in its natural habitat. The tours can be guided or self-guided and teachers can help curate the content to meet their needs in the classroom.

Visit - friendsofkootenainationalwildliferefuge.org/

Lower Snow Creek Falls near Kootenai Wildlife Refuge

#38 - Birch Aquarium at Scripps (San Diego, CA)

In the world of oceanography, the Scripps Institution at the UC San Diego is a household name. This should be all the reason any teacher ever needs to visit the on-site aquarium. The location is incredible but the vast array of species and ocean science that exists within its walls are the real treat. The Aquarium staff is used to young visitors and is more than willing to put together a somewhat specialized program to fit areas of study.

Visit - aquarium.ucsd.edu

#39 - Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (Kempton, PA)

There are few sights more awe-inspiring than watching a bird of prey fly freely and thanks to Hawk Mountain's incredible location, that sight is commonplace at the conversation site. Thousands of Hawks and Falcons and Eagles pass across the locale and the group's dedication to the conservation of these birds makes for a fun and informative day trip. Students will undoubtedly relish watching the birds, but they will learn something too.

Visit - hawkmountain.org

#40 - Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Chicago, IL)

The CSO is widely considered one of the finest orchestras in the entire world and while it might be too much for the younger students to sit through, it is the perfect destination for students passionate about music. Watching the talented musicians makes it obvious that the symphony experience is about much more than the incredible melodies. Teachers will need to plan to make accommodations but it will be worth the logistical headache.

Visit - cso.org

#41 - Graceland Mansion (Memphis, TN)

Once the home of Elvis Pressley himself, the Graceland Museum has blossomed into an incredibly rich museum and shrine to the King. Graceland staff also run "Schooled on Rock", a customizable education program that teaches students about far more than just Elvis but also about the history of rock and roll. Even elementary school students will recognize the name of Elvis and the chance to see some of his most colorful paraphernalia up close.

Visit - graceland.com

Front View of Graceland

#42 - Seattle Fire Department Tour (Seattle, WA)

The city of Seattle has a comprehensive program for students that want to visit their local fire station. The tour is probably better for younger students that will be delighted by the chance to climb in the fire trucks and test out the outfits, but the city and local firemen do an incredible job with the curriculum and make the experience a memorable one for students.

Visit - seattle.gov

#43 - International Clown Museum (Baraboo, WI)

With apologies to the people who have seen the movie It, the International Clown Hall of Fame may be off the beaten path a bit, but it is also an incredibly engaging place to visit. The Hall of Fame is also a research center dedication to the advancement of clown arts. There are exhibits on famous clowns, the art behind clown performances, and the history of the art. It may be scary for a few, but for those with more courage, they won't be disappointed.

Visit - theclownmuseum.com

#44 - Fort Sumter National Monument (Charleston, SC)

Teachers have two options when they visit Fort Sumter. There is Fort Sumter itself in the city harbor and there is Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island. Both are run by the National Park Service and each serves a special place in our country's history. Each tour has its upside but the fact that students get to enjoy a boat ride out to Fort Sumter makes it better in our book. Students will get to learn a lot of history of not just the fort but the country as well. The tours work better in small groups, just FYI.

Fort Sumter

#45 - The Mystery Spot (Santa Cruz, CA)

The only knock on the Mystery Spot is that the tour will be over too soon for a full field trip. But the visual illusions at this attraction in the middle of the Santa Cruz forest are truly mind-boggling. The organization has expanded and the site is now exceedingly well-run. The staff is willing to cater to field trips in the sense that they offer specific programming in addition to the guided tour. The illusions are the main attraction but there is plenty to be learned about what you are looking at as well.

Visit - mysteryspot.com

#46 - Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum (Cheyenne, WY)

Cheyenne may not be a destination city for those living outside of the state, but those that haven't had the chance to visit the city's Old West Museum are missing out. The museum is full of colorful exhibitions on the frontier life, culture and history. Students will love to learn about the natives of the area and will also enjoy the popular Old West Culture while enjoying a curated tour and occasional special guests

Visit - www.cfdrodeo.com/cfd-old-west-museum/

#47 - Alameda Park Zoo (Alamogordo, NM)

The oldest zoo in the Southwest (established before 1900!), the Alameda Park Zoo is a staple for teachers in New Mexico looking for easy field trips thanks to its 250+ distinct species on animals, kid-friendly exhibits, and information-laden tours and presentations. The birds are the main attraction at Alameda Park but there is really an animal species to suit everyone's interests and the Zoo staff is more than accommodating with school groups.

Visit - ci.alamogordo.nm.us

#48 - North Mississippi Fish Hatchery Visitor Education Center (Enid, MI)

The North Mississippi Fish Hatchery Visitor Education Center not only helps promote safe and responsible fishing, but it also serves as an educational hub for aquatic life in the state's many ecosystems. Students will get the chance to not only learn about the fish and wildlife, they will also get a crash course in conservation and the importance of the surrounding environment. The Center is meant for visitors and so of course, school groups of all ages are welcome.

Visit - mdwfp.com

#49 - Kokua Hawaii Foundation Farm Field Trips (Haleʻiwa, HI)

The Kokua Foundation schedules farm field trips for students across the islands in a way to help promote local culture and the islands' delicate environment. Students will get firsthand experience in what makes the Hawaiian ecosystem so incredible and will learn all about conservation techniques and farming strategies that are still being employed across the islands today. The Foundation has a mission to help educate the future generations and its tours are worth taking more than once.

Visit - kokuahawaiifoundation.org

#50 - Joshua Tree National Park (Twentynine Palms, CA)

If you don't forget to bring water and don't wander too far off the beaten path, Joshua Tree National Park can be an exciting, if seemingly desolate, field trip destination. The desert can feel overwhelming, but there is a hidden and thriving animal and plant community way east of the California coast and the National Park is full of incredible views. For older kids, an overnight trip is recommended to fully experience all the park can offer.

View of the Milky Way Galaxy at the Joshua Tree National Park

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Middle Tennessee Field Trips

The FieldTripDirectory.com is a resource for field trips for students, camp groups, homeschool groups and scout troops for day field trips, overnight field trips and youth retreats. Learn about Tennessee’s museums, zoos and aquariums, botanic gardens, nature centers, historic sites, amusement parks, recreation, performing arts and more in Middle Tennessee. CLICK on the ACTIVITY FILTER below to learn about these types of field trips.

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Adventure Science Center

Adventure Science Center is a science museum featuring over 175 hands-on interactive exhibits with themes plus a planetarium.

Andrew Jackson's The Hermitage

Andrew Jackson’s The Hermitage is to educate students to understand the life and times of Andrew Jackson and the era named for him. Combine a tour with a Hands-On History experience.

Belle Meade Plantation

Belle Meade Plantation is a historic mansion on 30 acres of property. Guided Tours with costume interpreters and hands-on workshops.

Belmont Mansion

Belmont Mansion, an elaborate antebellum home, offers special history or art tours geared specifically for school age students form K-12th grade. Teachers can also customize their tours.

Cedar Crest Environmental Education

Discovery Center at Murfree Spring

The Discovery Center is a children’s museum, nature center and wetlands boardwalk. Themed interactive exhibits explore of town life, science & more.

Frist Art Museum

The Frist Art Museum is a contemporary art museum that offers exhibition or architecture tours and hands-on interactive Martin® ArtQuest Gallery as part of their tour.

Green Door Gourmet

Green Door Gourmet offers fun and educational farm field trips for fundamental agricultural education. Knowing your farmer and understanding how food is grown and prepared.

Historic Mansker's Station

Historic Mansker’s Station is a 18th-century plantation house & fort offering 3 tours with living history hands-on activities; the Fort; the Plantation, Frontier Life Focus; and Plantation Life.

Historic Rock Castle

Historic Rock Castle takes your students & scouts back in time to live the life of a frontiers people in 1784. They will engage with colonial life through hands-on activities.

Historic Travellers Rest Plantation

The Historic Travellers Rest programs cover 1000 years of history, from Mississippian settlement through the 19th. Experience what life was like at Travellers Rest during this period.

Honeysuckle Hill Farm

Honeysuckle Hill Farm offers activities throughout the fall and spring seasons with educational farm tours & activities that focus on agricultural education, pick-your-own and a maze in the fall.

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Tips for Planning a Field Trip

My very first year teaching , I was put in charge of planning a field trip for students who had earned Honor Roll. I was told to do it as cheaply as possible. When I asked what my budget was, the response was $0. Ok… I’ll do my best. Hopefully, this won’t be your experience! Since then, I have planned or co-planned several field trips ranging from free trips to overnight, out-of-town trips. Here is what I have learned.

TIPS FOR PLANNING A FIELD TRIP

Finding a destination.

This is the trickiest task because it is so dependent on your budget and location , but here are a couple of tips. Ask students what they like to do around town or what field trips they have been on before and enjoyed.  If it’s fun, students won’t mind going somewhere they have gone before. Also, Googling (your town’s name + field trip) will result in websites galore with lists of places to visit in your city.  Lastly, visiting a local college or university is relatively free and will pump up students for attending college one day. (Also, those trampoline facilities are just about the best thing to take 100 students to. You can tie it to their learning about physics in science if you need an educational objective.)

If you are planning a field trip, there are so many people that need to know about it– parents, students, the front office, the administration, specials teachers, and all of your grade level teachers. Teachers need to plan their scope and sequences around it and make sure they don’t take that day off. Give everyone a minimum of a month heads up. The more time the better. Typically, I look at the school calendar, pick 2-3 dates (I prefer trips to be on Fridays), email my team to ask if any of those dates don’t work, and then schedule the trip with the facility we will be visiting. Once confirmed, I send out a calendar invite to basically the entire school’s staff.

Getting Everyone on the Same Page

Once the field trip has been scheduled, I like to meet with all of the teachers who will be attending. This is the time in which I delegate tasks and we run through the agenda for the day. This agenda will include everything from what teachers are on which bus with what students to when we will take restroom breaks. I create a three-column table with the headings of time, what students are doing, and what teachers are doing. The more questions that are answered on that document, the less figuring things out when you are on the field trip. Another tip: If you use Google Sheets, not only is it editable and accessible to all as you brainstorm, but you can also have separate sheets devoted to the day’s agenda, attendance lists, bus assignments, important contact information, to-do lists, and delegated tasks that all lives in one workbook.

Delegate Tasks

If you are planning a field trip, then you should not be trying to do everything by yourself! Here are some tasks you can delegate: contacting and organizing parent volunteers; making, copying, and distributing permission slips; scheduling buses; or requesting and sending payment. If I am the point person, then I will handle many of these tasks (because sometimes it is just easier), but I try not to take on all of them.

Set Students Up for Success

My team and I like to announce when a field trip is coming up, but we give little to no details about where we are going. We share vague clues the weeks leading up it; this builds suspense and increases the joy. Once we need to send permission slips home, I show students a PowerPoint that announces where we are going and what we will be doing and that shows pictures and/or videos. A couple of days before the field trip, in advisory, I show an additional PowerPoint with ALL the information that they need: what the schedule for the day will be, if they can bring money and how much, what they should wear, how they should act, reminders about their behavior, and I answer no less than 100 questions. Teacher tip: I use the field trip as an incentive for good behavior in my classroom. Students work much harder when they know something fun is on the line.

Don’t Forget!

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• Emergency procedures and any important phone numbers

If you are planning a field trip, then you are basically a teacher pro!   Well done. It is a huge task to take students off campus for a fun learning experience. What tips would you add? And what trips have your students enjoyed?

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February 20, 2020 at 11:46 am

These are all great tips and I think that delegating the work may be the most important. Field trips require ample planning and effort, so if a teacher is planning everything alone, it may be in their best interest to bring in some assistance. Enlisting the services of a student’s parent, for example, will help to take some of the burden off.

Public School Field Trips

Students are itching to go outside..

Be the hero! Get your students out of the classroom and learning about the environment while they’re in the middle of nature on a day or overnight field trip or even a partial day field trip!

They’ll experience a fun field trip that’s full of learning about science, ecology, teamwork, and so much more… in a beautiful wooded outdoor setting (think of it as a 110-acre outdoor classroom). And don’t worry about the weather – we have plenty of indoor learning activities that can take place in our Nature Center, indoor gym, and dining hall in case of rain or inclement weather.

All grades are welcome!

We’re Here to Help

Choose to have us plan and facilitate as much or as little of the trip as possible.

Fresh out of ideas for learning activities? That’s where we jump in! We have trained professional staff that connect with your students and provide a variety of hands-on science education activities outside the classroom.

Already have activity ideas? Great! We’ll do our best to accommodate and support you any way we can.

How to Schedule a Trip

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While students enjoy standard field trips related to their classes throughout the year, each grade also organizes overnight trips which provide opportunities for focused group interaction and exposure to sights and events farther away than the Baltimore metropolitan area.

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Sixth Grade

Sixth grade fall teambuilding trip.

Early in the fall, the sixth grade students travel to Outward Bound at Leakin Park for community and teamwork building activities.

Sixth Grade Spring Ecology Trip

The sixth grade camps at Sandy Point State Park for two nights and spends each day visiting the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and Annapolis Maritime Museum to perform ecological studies linked to the Chesapeake Watershed and bay health. The trip is an extension of sixth grade science and the grade theme of community. Cooperation, academics, and maintaining community within the sixth grade are central to the trip and reinforced through cooperative cooking, team building games, and community reflection. The sixth grade is accompanied by a trained team of eighth grade peer leaders and committed faculty.

Seventh Grade

Seventh grade fall museum trip.

The seventh grade students choose to visit one of several museums to explore primary sources of America’s national identity. Locations include the National African American Museum of History and Culture, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Newseum, National Gallery of Art, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and others.

Seventh Grade Spring Civil War Trip

In the spring, the seventh grade travels to Washington County, staying near historic Harpers Ferry. Students camp, cook, and practice civic service while living together and engaging in place-based learning activities designed around, and integrated with, their seventh grade curricula in social studies, language arts, and science. Additionally, they hike Maryland Heights, navigating by map, analyzing military strategy, and exploring the geography of lands upon which the American Civil War unfolded.

Eighth Grade

Eighth grade fall emotional intelligence retreat.

In the fall, the eighth grade retreats for a two-day workshop on the fundamentals of social and emotional intelligence. Through a frame of adventure programming, students experience team, group, and individual games that explore the dynamics of inter- and intra-personal relationships, value clarification, and self-awareness. The goal of this trip is to strengthen students’ connections with classmates and enrich their affective skills.

Eighth Grade Spring End-of-Year Retreat

In June, the eighth grade will make their way to camp at Elk Neck Park, stopping at Gunpowder State Park Hammerman for swimming and water sports activities along the way.

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Promise of Park Student Life Initiatives

Gifts to the Promise of Park can now support upgrades to the softball and baseball fields at  Sugar  Campus , the revitalization of the  Challenge Course , and the creation of an endowed fund providing support for  student  travel.

Sugar Campus

Softball and baseball upgrades at  Sugar  Campus  include improvements to the playing surfaces of both fields, along with bleacher improvements for the fans of each of team. Additions include new batting cages that will benefit both teams, a new baseball bullpen setup and backstop, and other enhancements. The baseball field scoreboard and dugouts are now sporting Park colors —  w ith m ore to come ’neath the Brown and White!

Park’s  Challenge Course  — a longtime signature program of our Middle and Upper Schools — is being renovated to expand accessibility  school -wide for our Pre-K through Grade 12  students . Further, we are introducing new, innovative elements — including a three-pole climbing tower — and creating an additional community gathering area. The newly-renovated course will be managed by a course-certified teacher, and the program will renew the essential role of  student  leaders as a part of the Challenge experience at Park!

Promise of Park Lower School Initiatives

The Promise of Park has already impacted the lives of our students and teachers, and, this spring, we are thrilled to share another giving initiative  — this time in support of Park’s youngest students.

Gifts to the Promise of Park can now support a full renovation of the Lower School Pearlstone Wing — including the creation of a Lower School  Multipurpose  Room.  We are combining three existing rooms adjacent to the fourth grade classrooms to create a new, large, flexible gathering space that will be able to accommodate multiple grade levels for events, assemblies, and more. This space is designed to optimize flexibility so that it can host various types of school and community events.

We are delighted to share that this new space will be dedicated in memory of Linda Halpert, a beloved Lower School faculty member. Further, the hallway, as well as all of the fourth grade classrooms, will be fully reimagined and modernized; and all systems (HVAC, lighting, tech, etc.) in the Pearlstone Wing will be replaced.

Please see the renderings of the new spaces below.

Lower school multipurpose room:.

Pearlstone Building Corridor:

Park will redesign and rebuild the first-of-its-kind Appalachian Challenge Course as an anchor to an expanded Pre-K through Grade 12 outdoor education program. We will welcome students of all ages – as well as potential partner organizations in and around Baltimore — to experience the benefits of outdoor education in Park’s unique environment.

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Over 47 years of safe, educational field trip planning.

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Arizona and California field trips ranging from 36-65 hours in length.

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Why Choose Project Exploration?

Throughout our 47 years in business, Project Exploration has organized thousands of field trips throughout the Southwestern United States. From scheduling educational visits based on state curriculum standards, to teaching and entertaining your students on the bus, we do it all!

Safety and education are our top priorities; however, we pride ourselves on making learning fun . Project Exploration instructors turn your bus into a moving classroom with informative yet engaging activities. Students often mention the bus ride as a highlight of their trip.

While making memories that last a lifetime , students on Project Exploration field trips acquire important life skills. Students learn to budget their money, be responsible for their belongings, and positively represent themselves and their school at each venue. The unique experience of traveling with friends and peers is one your students won’t want to miss

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Project Exploration Inc. exists to bring learning to life through unique and exciting hands-on field experiences and aims to enhance the educational lives of young students while instilling in them a deeper appreciation for our natural world and the necessity to preserve it. If you have questions about any of our “outdoor living classrooms” please review our FAQs and don’t hesitate to call!

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Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Overnight field trips provide interdisciplinary, experiential, and place-based learning in Cuyahoga Valley National Park that your students will never forget!

Our dynamic environmental education program is designed to complement what students learn in the classroom and correlate with Ohio academic content standards.

Learning Streams

Thematic "learning streams" explore different issues affecting Cuyahoga Valley National Park, your community, and our natural world. All are recommended for grades 4–12. You may choose from:

Expedition Earth

Length : This is a 3-day/2-night program

Students explore our watershed at the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center using navigational tools such as stream tables, compasses, and different types of maps. They discover the Ledges area of the national park and the stories the rocks tell us.

Habitat Heroes

Length: This is a 3-day/2-night program

Students discover and learn to identify the impacts that climate change has on Cuyahoga Valley National Park and local communities. They contribute to the work being done in the national park to sustain our environment by planting native species or removing invasive plants.

Nature Exploration

Length: This can be a 2-day/1-night or 3-day/2-night program

Students explore the diverse ecosystems that make up the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center. They participate in student-centered exploration activities that help them think like scientists, using their observation skills to communicate their discoveries.

Water Quality

Students explore ways that the scientists of Cuyahoga Valley National Park keep the Cuyahoga River watershed healthy. They collect and analyze data from water quality tests and discover how water flows using stream tables. Students learn to appreciate how the health of a watershed is an environmental justice issue. For more information and to register for an overnight field trip, visit the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center's website . Click on "Current Programs Open For Registration".

Lesson Plans

Last updated: September 18, 2024

Yes, Field Trips Are Worth the Effort

Culturally enriching trips can boost grades and decrease absences and behavioral infractions, new research reveals. 

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As a teacher, Elena Aguilar often looked for opportunities to get her students out of the classroom and into different neighborhoods or natural environments. “We did the usual museum trips and science center stuff, but I loved the trips which pushed them into unfamiliar territory,” writes Aguilar , an instructional coach and author. Nudging kids out of their comfort zones, she says, “taught them about others as well as themselves. It helped them see the expansiveness of our world and perhaps inspired them to think about what might be available to them out there.”

Aguilar’s thinking made an impact: 15 years after traveling with her third-grade class to Yosemite National Park, a student contacted Aguilar on Facebook to thank her for the life-changing excursion. “You changed our lives with that trip,” the student wrote. “It's what made me want to be a teacher, to be able to give that same gift to other kids.”

As schools grapple with pandemic-related concerns about balancing in-seat instructional time with non-essentials like trips, new research published in The Journal of Human Resources argues that field trips, and the vital educational experiences that they provide—whether it’s a visit to a local museum or a big commitment like Aguilar’s national park trip—deliver a host of positive social and academic outcomes and are worth the effort.

“The pandemic should not keep schools from providing these essential cultural experiences forever,” asserts Jay P. Greene , one of the study’s co-authors and a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, in an opinion piece for the Daily News . “If schools make culturally-enriching field trips an integral part of the education experience, all students—especially those whose parents have a harder time accessing these experiences on their own—would benefit.”

In the study, researchers assigned more than 1,000 fourth- and fifth-grade students in Atlanta to two groups. One group participated in three to six “culturally-enriching” field trips—visits to an art museum, a live theater performance, and a symphony concert—while students in the control group stayed put in class. The outcome? Kids in the field trip group “scored higher on end-of-grade exams, received higher course grades, were absent less often, and had fewer behavioral infractions,” compared to students in the control group, according to a ScienceDaily brief . Benefits lasted two to three years, Greene writes, and were “most visible when students were in middle school.”

“We are able to demonstrate that a relatively simple intervention—and we consider it pretty low-touch; three field trips in a year, maybe six field trips in two years—can actually have some substantial impacts,” says lead study author Heidi Holmes Erickson in an interview with The 74 . “They’re not just limited to social benefits. It shows that smaller interventions can actually have some significant effects on academics as well.”

Field trips aren’t a threat to in-class instruction, Erickson notes, they’re a tool to help bolster engagement and expand students’ horizons. “It's possible to expose students to a broader world and have a culturally enriching curriculum without sacrificing academic outcomes, and it may actually improve academic outcomes,” Erickson says. Far from harming test scores, the researchers found that culturally rich excursions reinforce academics and “students who participated in these field trips were doing better in class.”

Meanwhile, class trips don't need to be elaborate productions to make an impact: small excursions outside the classroom—"low-touch," as the researchers call them—can pack a punch. Here’s how three educators recommend dialing it back with low-stakes options that are both engaging and stimulating for students, but might not require days to prepare and plan:

Make Them Bite-Sized : Instead of allocating an entire day to a field trip, educational consultant Laurel Schwartz takes her classes on micro field trips , or “short outings that can be completed in a single class period.” These real-world encounters, she says, are especially beneficial for English learners and world language students. A micro field trip to a nearby park or around school grounds, for example, can be a great opportunity to “enhance a unit on nature and wildlife while reinforcing vocabulary for senses, colors, and the concepts of quantity and size,” Schwartz writes. “Afterwards, students might write descriptive stories set in the place you visited using vocabulary collected and defined together by the class.”

Try Teacher-Less Trips : To encourage exploration and learning outside of the classroom, former social studies teacher Arch Grieve removes himself from the equation with teacher-less field trips rooted in students’ local communities. Grieve only suggests options that are directly tied to a unit being discussed in class—like attending a talk at a local university or visiting a museum or cultural festival—and offers extra credit to incentivize students. “These trips allow for a greater appreciation of my subject matter than is possible in the school setting, and perhaps best of all, there's little to no planning involved.”

Explore Virtual Options : It may not be as fun as visiting in person, but the Internet makes it possible to visit museums like The National Gallery of London and The Vatican Museums without leaving the school building. Middle school English teacher Laura Bradley likes to search the Museums for Digital Learning website by topic, keyword, and grade level, to find lessons and activities that meet her unique curricular needs. The site grants access to digitized museum collections, 3D models, audio files, documents, images, and videos. 

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Visiting Russia - Nalchik, Capital of Kabardino-Balkaria

By Koryo Tours

Nalchik, capital of Kabardino-Balkaria

Visiting Russia – Nalchik

Yoshkar-ola | cheboksary  |  astrakhan | elista | stalingrad (volograd)  | abakan  |  nalchik  | validkavkaz  | makhachkala  |  grozny.

Nalchik is a small city of around 240,000 people and serves as the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria, one of the lesser-known republics spread across the beautiful North Caucasus area of Russia, the mountain range that separates the former soviet states of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan from the Russian Federation.

This region has incredible diversity in ethnic groups and is a melting pot at the edge of empire. While there have been civilisations in the Caucasus for millennia Nalchik as a city is only a century old, having been a Russian fort since 1724. Today’s Nalchik is a mostly peaceful and relaxing place, being in the foothills of the mountains it has many areas of great beauty and multiple sanatoria for people looking to take the waters, over the last century it has certainly had its share of turbulence though, being occupied by Romanian troops fighting on the side of the Nazis, who embarked on an effort to exterminate the ancient community of Mountain Jews in the area (unsuccessfully), plus a 2005 Islamic militant attack on Russian security forces.

These days Nalchik is known as a clean city, a place for relaxing, and the starting point of expeditions to summit Mt. Elbrus, the tallest mountain in Europe, which lies within Kabardino-Balkaria.

Kabardians make up the largest ethnic group at just under 50% of the city’s population, followed by Russians, Balkars, other Caucasian nationalities as well as Ukrainians, Mountain Jews still live in the area but in very small numbers now, most having emigrated to Israel.

Arriving/Departing

Nalchik Airport (NAL) is a small one but is fully functional for getting in and out, usually the foreigners arriving here will be mountaineers heading for Elbrus.

The Airport is only 3km from the city centre so you could even walk into town from here, otherwise, there are taxis and marshrutkas waiting for arrivals. Flights arrive only from Moscow and St. Petersburg usually, the Caucasus has other larger airports for other international flights (such as those to Sochi). Nalchik has a railway station, dating from 1915, with links to Moscow and across the Caucasus. A good option for travelling around the region in a relaxing manner (usually slower than taking a marshrutka between cities though) For getting around inside Nalchik there are public buses all over the place, easy to use and very cheap. Otherwise most of the centre is very walkable, the main ‘high street’ is Lenin Avenue, which runs for several km through the centre of the city.

Concord Square

The centre of Nalchik and a good place to start a walking tour of the city, with the Kabardino-Balkaria parliament building on one side and Lenin stands at the other, fountains in the middle and Lenin Avenue cutting through the square

Religious Buildings

The central buildings of the main religions practised in Nalchik are both fine examples of their respective architectural styles; the Central Mosque and the Cathedral of Mary Magdalene are both worth visiting. Dress codes apply.

Not actually in Nalchik, but only 50km or so away so the city is the ideal base for starting an expedition. This is Europe’s highest mountain and a dormant volcano. There are cable car/chairlift options to get t the top for those who don’t wish to do it the hard way. It is possible to get up and down this mountain n a single day, making it certainly the simplest of the 7 continental highest peaks to climb.

Museum of the Kabardino-Balkar Republic

Great for explaining where you are and the history of the area. Mostly in Russian only though and does tend to assume some knowledge in advance. Still a good stop to get some intro into the complex history of this city and area in general.

Atazhukin Garden

A large park complex running for more than 2km along the eastern side of the city, alongside the Nalchik River. A very pleasant place with so much to see and do. The basic Nalchik Zoo is here, walking trails, restaurants and cafes, theatres, a very retro funfair, and a rickety but reliable cable car running up to a lovely viewpoint to see over the city and out to Mt. Elbrus.

Topped by a restaurant building built in the shape of a Kabardian warrior. An excellent few hours can be spent exploring this park and mingling with the locals of all ages who do their relaxing here.

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9 places in Kabardino-Balkaria every adventurer needs to visit (PHOTOS)

An amazing journey through the mountains of Kabardino-Balkaria.

Together with local tour guide Artyem Babaritsky, we show you why this is one of the most underrated regions of Russia. According to Artem, the nature on the territory of Kabardino Balkaria is more “rigid” and “serious” than in the neighboring republics of the Caucasus. This is comparable to a human face: one moment it is kind and smiling (while we are in the Karachay-Cherkessia) and then suddenly this kind face starts to frown and becomes more severe.

The most famous attraction of the republic – and the Caucasus in general – is Mount Elbrus, the highest peak of the European continent. With a mighty height of 5,642 meters above sea level, Elbrus is actually a dormant volcano. Its permanent icecap feeds 22 glaciers, which, in turn, give rise to the Baksan, Kuban and Malka rivers.

Naturally, if you’re into mountain climbing, this is a peak that you will want to conquer at least once in your lifetime. Here are some detailed accounts of what it entails.

And this is what you’ll see along the way.

Not into mountain climbing? Not to worry! In summer, you can still reach an altitude of 3,658 meters from the bottom of the Azau Valley, thanks to a small network of cable cars and ski lifts. This will give you a bird’s eye view of the entire Main Caucasus Ridge – an extremely impressive sight to behold. And, of course, you’ll be right at the foot of the Elbrus glacier.

In winter, skiers and snowboarders can shred some sweet gnar on 23 kilometers of slopes serviced by 6 ski lifts. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 2,350 and 3,840 meters. There are plenty of accommodation options for a comfortable stay and a good selection of cafes and restaurants to refuel your energy supplies.

2. Dzhily-su

Translated from the local language, “Dzhily-su” means “warm waters”. The Tract is located on the slopes of the heart of the Caucasus at an altitude of about 2,400 meters above sea level, where you can enjoy the breathtaking view of Mount Elbrus on a clear day. On the territory of Dzhily-su, there are many unique mineral springs that aid in healing from various diseases and strengthening the body.

“It’s an amazing sensation when you lie in a warm mineral bath and dozens of small bubbles rise around you. Also, Dzhily-su is the land of waterfalls that bear beautiful male names like Sultan, Emir and Shah. Thanks to the unusual energy, esoterics are particularly fond of this place, because there are natural sand castles, amazing stone mushrooms and the energetic mountains Sirkh and Tuzluk,” Artyem says.

The road to Dzhily-su is considered one of the most beautiful in all of Russia: It’s a serpentine-like asphalt mountain road that follows along a huge cliff, over which you will see many eagles circling. If you decide to do the trip on your own, Artyem warns that you must get hold of an off road vehicle, because many of the roads that you will need to take are dusty gravel roads. 

3. Chegem Canyon, Gorge, Waterfalls and Paragliding 

This is one of the main tourist attractions of Kabardino-Balkaria and it’s not hard to see why.

“The views that stretch along the Chegem gorge are simply amazing. The Chegem gorge is quite big. You will begin your encounter with this area with the beautiful Chegem waterfalls that cascade down the rocky slope. Right at the foot of the rocks, there is a small market where local women sell various hand woven wool products. There is a ‘ladder of happiness’ consisting of two 222 steps, leading to the source of the waterfalls at the top of the cliff. Climbing it is not at all difficult, the views are amazing and there is a cozy cafe at the top, as well as at the bottom, where you can enjoy dishes of national cuisine,” Artyem says.

In winter, the Chegem waterfalls freeze and have a certain wild beauty to them. Some locals say that, perhaps, they are even more beautiful than in the summer. Ice pillars and columns of frozen jets and streams of water, like giant twisted candles, or stalactites, hang down all the way to the river.

There is no more asphalt road beyond the waterfalls, but you can still continue along the gorge on gravel, along the turbulent Chegem River. The road is very dusty, so Artyem advises visitors to drive along it in a car with closed windows and the air conditioning on. After about 30 kilometers, you will arrive at a paragliding station.

According to Artyem, the Chegem paragliding station is famous for its powerful, ascending wind currents. Thanks to them, paragliders can soar in the sky from morning to evening. On the territory of the station, there is also a zip line and a few other adrenaline-filled activities for those looking for some thrills. 

4. El-TyuByu

If time permits, you can continue moving along the Chegem gorge and arrive at the village of El-TuByu, a place with enormous history. This mysterious ancient Balkarian village is the focal point of the history of the entire Balkaria. Ancient watchtowers, remains of Greek temples and anomalous phenomena attract both adventure seekers and connoisseurs of beauty. The main highrise, the Balkarukov Tower, is also dubbed the ‘Tower of Love’. Legend has it that Akhtugan Balkarukov built it to defend against the relatives of the beautiful Kerime, stolen by him from Dagestan.

Not far from the village, two ancient defensive Greek stairs go up a rocky wall. They rise to a height of about 30 meters and lead to a small area surrounded by walls up to two meters high and about half a meter thick. A bit above the Greek stairs are the ancient Balkar mausoleums, where local nobility were buried in the VIII-XVIII centuries. Artyem advises to go with a tour guide, because there is just so much incredible history in this village. 

5. Valley of the Narzans

The Valley of the Narzans is a balneoclimatic resort area. It is located in the foothills of the northern slope of the Skalisty Ridge of the Greater Caucasus, in the Khasaut River valley, at an altitude of 1,300 meters above sea level (near the border with Karachay-Cherkessia).

What is Narzan water? It takes six years for the water from the melting snow in the mountains to become Narzan water. It needs this time to find its way through the fissures and cracks in the underground rocks, become enriched by more than 20 minerals and salts, congregate in the underground lakes and then appear on the surface as a spring. In the local language, its name sounds like “Nart-san-e”, which means “a drink of brave warriors”.

Visitors can come with empty bottles and fill them with different kinds of mineral water. The territory of the valley also has cafes with local delicacies and plenty of souvenir stands, where the local women sell traditional knitwear, mountain honey and other arts and crafts and delicacies from the region. 

6. Shadkhurei Karst Lakes

The two lakes - Lower and Upper Shadkhuei - are still little researched. Underwater currents, turmoils and a large network of underwater canals prevent scientists from doing deeper research. The estimated depth of each lake is more than 200 meters, though there is no data yet on the actual depth.

“This is a great place to spend some time, especially during the summer months. The water temperature is kept at the same level all year round – about +15 degrees Celsius. The two lakes are located close to each other and fascinate visitors with their magical colors, luring them into their emerald water,” Artyem says.

In Artyem’s experience, only with rare exceptions, no visitor can resist the urge to plunge into the water. Even without bathing accessories, both ladies and gents make it their priority to jump into the turquoise waters. Around the lakes there are a few gazebos so you can easily stay for the whole day, have a picnic and swim in the lakes to your heart’s content.

7. Chateau Erken

A little piece of Europe in the middle of the Caucasus Mountains, Chateau Erken is a majestic pseudo castle in the Romanesque style (it was actually built in the 1990s) surrounded by about 1,000 hectares of vineyards.

“If you want to have a relaxing day, try experiencing the fairy tale that is Chateau Erken. It stands right on the water and is absolutely stunning. There is also the option to do some wine tasting inside,” Artyem says. 

8. Upper Balkaria, Blue Lake and Aushiger Thermal Springs

These three places make for an easy day trip, because of their proximity to one another. Start your journey at the Blue Lake . The deep blue waters of this stunning lake, hidden in Russia’s Caucasus mountains, are shrouded in mystery. It’s uninhabited by fish and avoided by locals, but, in recent years, it’s become a popular site for tourists.

After soaking in the lake’s beauty, continue onwards to Upper Balkaria, which is just several kilometers away along the Cherek gorge. This is a small ancient village that almost seems like it’s hiding from the outside world. Architectural monuments, defensive towers, graves and ground crypts have been preserved there. Upper Balkaria serves as an excellent example of Balkarian life and culture. You’ll learn a lot about the ancient auls (Caucasian mountain or desert settlements) and Balkarian settlements from different historical periods. 

On the left bank of the Cherek River, in the village of Aushiger, there are a few healing hot springs. The territory of the health resort includes a healing lake, an open reservoir and indoor baths.

9. Adyr-su Gorge

“This place can be reached by car, mostly by asphalt road. Then, the car drives into a special lift, together with people and climbs up along the cliff. What a sight this is! There is a border control here, so it’s a good idea to have some ID on you,” Artyem cautions.

After driving along a relatively easy dirt road, you will get to a mountain climbing base. From there, you can take part in some light trekking, 4 kilometers there and back. Adventurers also have the opportunity to make a wish in the Valley of Desires, see waterfalls, go to the glacier and the huge, magical mountain Ulu Tau, which means “Mother Mountain”. Finish up the hike at the Silver Spring.

“Here, you can always encounter wild mustangs, they always come to graze on the beautiful meadows of lush grass and drink the healing water from the spring. The spring is the source of incredible strength - locals say that whoever plunges into it three times will be healed of many diseases,” Artyem boasts.

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