Field Trips to our reserves

All field experiences feature low student-to-leader ratios of less than 15 students per leader, or even lower for younger grades. Shorter field experiences can be combined with a Birds of Prey presentation to extend the day for students.

Programs at Beechwood Nature Reserve can accommodate up to 75 students at a time; you may add a Birds of Prey presentation (indoors) to accommodate up to 150 students. The parameters for field trips to Succop Nature Park and Buffalo Creek Nature Park are discussed on a per-program basis. Contact us at education@aswp.org for details.

Field Trip Opportunities

Outdoor Discovery Walks: Pre-K to grade 6

Walk the trails with our experienced guides looking for signs of nature. We emphasize open-ended exploration and observation to find real examples of important natural science principles. Walks are punctuated with games and trail-side activities, all following an age-appropriate, standards-aligned theme. Offered throughout the school year.

• Touch, Look, Listen: Pre-K and K
  Explore nature with our ears, eyes, noses, and hands. (60 to 90 minutes)
• Seasonal Discovery: K – grade 6
  Search for the signs of the season. Option to focus on birds, insects, flowers, or your topic. (90 minutes to two hours)
• Home Sweet Home: K – grade 2
  Find animal homes…and occupants. (90 minute to two hours)
• Habitats: grades 3-4
  Find animals and identify their food, water, and shelter. Four-hour version includes time for lunch and pond dipping. (two or four hours)
• Community: grades 5-6
  Study nature’s cycles of plants, animals, and essential elements. Four-hour version includes time for lunch and pond dipping. (two or four hours)

In-depth Field Experiences: Grades 4-12

Hands-on studies using scientific data collection techniques in small groups of about 15 students per leader.

• Watersheds: grades 4-12
  Follow water from hilltop to wetland to pond and beyond. How healthy is our watershed? We will measure total rainfall, delineate wetlands, and capture macroinvertebrates to assess water quality. Option to use water quality chemistry kits for older students
• Biodiversity: grades 7-12
  Gather and apply diversity data using scientific field techniques. Modules available include indexing trees, estimating the deer herd, and assessing water quality with macroinvertebrates.

Humans and the Environment: All grade levels

Reveal new things about the natural world by studying humans’ relationships to nature.

• Maple Sugaring: Pre-K to grade 12
  Tour our maple forest to experience first-hand the science and history of making syrup. Features try-it-yourself experiences and a working syrup evaporator. (90 minute to two hours)
• Pioneers in Nature: K to grade 12
  View the natural world through the eyes of a pioneer, using natural materials from the environment for food, clothing, shelter, and entertainment. (two to four hours)
• Science of Survival: K to grade 12
  Study how to survive alone in the woods and get a new perspective on the outdoors—and yourself. Topics include fire-building, debris shelters, proper gear. (two to four hours)

• Bird of Prey Combo: Pre-K to grade 12
  Short field trips (one to two hours) can be paired with a Birds of Prey presentation and a lunch break to make it a full day.
• Customize or Integrate
  Do you have a particular topic in mind? Would you like to add supporting classroom activities? We can help!
• Standards Alignment
  Contact our education department for information on standards alignment for any of our programs.